Targ

Defend Crystal City from an invading force in Exidy’s 1980 maze shooter, Targ. As pilot of the vehicle Wummel, you navigate a grid-based playfield populated by ten wedge-shaped Targ Ramships. Using a four-way joystick, maneuver your craft to destroy each enemy and advance to higher levels, where the Targs move faster and demonstrate more cunning tactics. Periodically, powerful Spectar ships appear, offering substantial bonus points if destroyed. The gameplay demands careful planning; Wummel can only fire forward and has limited speed when changing direction. Strategic use of deceleration and skillful navigation around obstacles are key to success, as enemies actively attempt to evade your attacks. Levels become increasingly challenging as the Targs adapt their movement patterns, requiring quick reflexes and precise maneuvering to avoid being cornered. Targ's unique grid-based design and escalating challenge made it a standout title of its era, even earning licensing for distribution in Japan by Sega. A keen observer may also notice an optical illusion within the game's yellow background – staring at the intersections can reveal fleeting patterns of circles.