Rendering Ranger To Be Re-Rendered On Modern Systems

In 1995, we were supposed to get a run-and-gun action game called Rendering Ranger on the SNES. Due to plans falling through, the game was only released in Japan, and only in limited quantities: only 10,000 copies are believed to exist.  It’s now considered one of the rarest SNES games in the entire world…if ever there was a candidate for a reprint, you’re looking at it.

We can report that it’s finally happening: publisher Ziggurat Interactive has acquired the rights to the game and has arranged a deal for Limited Run to publish physical copies. It took thirty whole years, but Rendering Ranger is finally seeing release in the US.

The new edition is called Rendering Ranger: R² Rewind and Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC are all getting it. The “Rewind” edition will literally contain the feature to rewind — you’ll be able to take back mistakes or painful collisions with an enemy with one hold of a button. (Or not, if you prefer to play the intended way.) Other modern frills include a save and continue feature and a CRT filter.

The original plan for Rendering Ranger was to localize the game in the US and UK under the title “Targa.” with slightly different graphics. The prototype for that version exists and will be included in the re-release, along with the original Japanese version (which is entirely in English).

The Limited Run standard release for Rendering Ranger: R² Rewind will come in a box with a manual translated from the original (plus an added retrospective) and a controller diagram card for the system it’s meant to run on. That will cost the usual $34.99 but what they’re calling the “Armageddon Edition” packs in a lot more:

• Collector’s Edition Box
• Physical Copy of Rendering Ranger: R2 [Rewind]
• Reversible 12″ x 16″ Poster
• Rendering Ranger: R2 [Rewind] Original Soundtrack
• Ranger Sprite Enamel Pin
• Commemorative Metal Coin
• 3D Printed Metal Helmet Keychain

That edition costs a hundred bucks. As for actual SNES carts…uh, those already happened back in 2022. We know of no plans for a re-release. But preorders for Rendering Ranger: R² Rewind will be open on the Limited Run website starting February 14 until they close March 16.