Judge Dredd (rev TA1 7/12/92, location test)

Step into the gritty world of Judge Dredd in this unusual three-player fighting game from Midway, released in 1993. Inspired by the popular British comic series, players take control of Judge Dredd and his cohorts to battle through Mega City One, facing waves of criminals across a variety of environments. The gameplay focuses on cooperative brawling as you work alongside your fellow Judges, employing punches, kicks, and other attacks against increasingly challenging foes. Judge Dredd utilizes digitized graphics similar to those found in Midway’s earlier hits like Terminator 2, offering a visual style rooted in the technology of the time. While intended to blend elements of Mortal Kombat and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the game's cooperative focus ultimately proved unpopular during location testing, contributing to its limited production run. Despite its early failure, Judge Dredd holds a unique place in arcade history as it pioneered the use of 3D graphics on cabinet artwork, marking an important step in Midway’s visual design evolution. The game featured multiple stages and bonus rounds intended for later completion, including a planned motorcycle chase sequence reminiscent of Spy Hunter. While incomplete, this test version showcased ambitious ideas that never saw full realization, leaving behind a glimpse into what could have been.