The story of Vigilante revolves around a mysterious hero who seeks revenge against The Rogues gang for kidnapping his girlfriend Maria. The player must navigate through five different locations, including city streets and a junkyard, as they battle against various thugs with unique abilities.
Vigilante is an arcade-style beat-em-up where players control the tough hero, using fists, feet, and a chain to take down enemies. The game features regular stance, crouched, and jumping attacks, each requiring specific tactics to defeat the end bosses. With enemies continuously spawning from both sides of the screen, the player must maintain a steady pace forward to reach the end of the level before time runs out. Quick presses on the left and right arrow keys are necessary when an enemy grabs the character, as it makes them vulnerable to attacks.