Play Shodai Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun (english translation) Online

Shodai Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun (or Renegade if you grew up with the NES version) is basically the granddaddy of all those River City brawlers—but don’t expect the polished, RPG-lite vibe of River City Ransom. This one’s pure, unfiltered street-fighting chaos. You’re Kunio, a high school delinquent who punches first and asks questions never, wading through waves of thugs who spill out of alleyways like someone left the gate to a gang convention wide open.

The SNES version tightens up the original’s stiff controls just enough to make curb-stomping some goon’s face feel weirdly therapeutic. The pixel art pops with that classic Technos flair—every punch sends enemies flying in exaggerated, almost comical arcs. It’s janky in that way old arcade ports often are, but that roughness gives it charm. By the third stage, you’ll be grinning like an idiot as you clothesline three guys in a row.

If you’ve only played the later Kunio-kun games, this is a fascinating (and brutal) look at where it all started. Just don’t blame me when you start reflexively shoulder-tackling strangers on the sidewalk.