Growl

Overview

Growl (known in Japan as Runark) is a 2D belt-scrolling brawler developed and released by Taito for arcades (running Taito F2 System hardware) in 1990.

Players take control of one of four forest rangers (each with their own unique stats) as they use their fists and other weaponry to subdue evil poachers and rescue captured animals (some of whom help the rangers).

Like Taito's previous beat-'em-up, The Ninja Kids, the game can be set up (through dipswitches) in two variants: Two Player (where each player picks their character) and Four Player (where the character chosen is based on the player position).

The game received a port to the Sega Genesis in 1991, limiting the game to one-player play. The original version was later included in two Taito compilations: the 2005 Japan-exclusive Taito Memories Joukan and the 2006 Western-exclusive Taito Legends 2.