How to Play Ikari Warriors

The game begins after the players' airplane crash lands in a jungle infested with enemy battalions armed with all sorts of weaponry. The players, one or two, must then guide the Ikari Warriors through the jungle, fighting it out with the enemy while while taking advantage of power-ups and other goodies found along the way. The game is won when players succeed in reaching the warriors' mentor, General Kawasaki (or Colonel Cook).

Each warrior starts the game traveling on foot with a machine gun and hand grenades. The gun is easier to aim and brings faster results, but hand grenades are essential when a wall or other obstruction is between a warrior and his target. Both weapons are limited, requiring players to monitor their supplies and be on the look-out for replenishments. Both weapons also can be upgraded with power-ups, however, these power-ups are lost when a warrior loses his life.

Besides enemy soldiers, players must also contend with tanks, helicopters, bunkers, land mines, and other enemy strongholds. Some of these are impervious to machine gun fire, but most can be taken out with a well-thrown grenade. Land mines remain lethal no matter what weapon hits them, so be sure to give those wide berth.

Once in a while players will find an empty tank to commandeer. Players are safe from enemy machine guns inside a tank, and can even enjoy squashing enemy soldiers beneath the treads. However, tanks are still vulnerable to enemy grenades and shots from enemy vehicles. Also, tanks have a limited supply of fuel. Extra gas can be found along the way, but keep an eye on the needle! If a tank is hit by enemy fire or has run out of gas, the warrior has only a few seconds to get out and reach safe ground before the tank explodes!

Some action takes place in the water. Rivers and lakes can be especially hazardous because of floating mines that home in on the warriors. Also, tanks cannot be driven into the water, which sometimes forces players to abandon perfectly good tanks.

Power-ups, including additional amunition, appear as boxed letters or symbols on the ground. Some power-ups appear as the warriors travel deeper into the jungle; others are dropped by enemy soldiers when killed, and uncovered when enemy structures are destroyed. The available power-ups are: