My Played Video Games Review: Battle City for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

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Battle City is a top view multi-directional shooter video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It was produced and published by Namco of Japan and released in 1985.

This was a favorite video game of many Filipinos during the late 1980s when the Famicom (Japan's version of the NES) was at the height of its popularity in Asia as a coveted electronics device.

I think this game is one of those hidden NES gems in the West. It is a damn shame that it is a forgotten video game treasure. Battle City, I think, is one of the best tank games out there!

The Story

As the only tank(s) left, destroy the enemy tank force before they blow up your military base or camp.

Main menu screen (Image source)

The Graphics and Sound

The 8-bit graphics in the game are fair at that time. Backgrounds are bland but the main tanks are colorful. Most of the enemies are white but are drawn well but the background is just a plain black square with tanks and terrain features like forest, river, brick buildings and etc.

The music seems to be non existent. Except for the short, cheery jingle at the start of each level. The sound effects are also of low quality and are mostly bleeps and blops. The sound is the worst part of the game.

Gameplay sample of Battle City

The Gameplay

You control a tank trying to defend the base or camp while destroying all the other tanks that dare attack it. Your base or camp is always (at every level) at the bottom middle of the screen. Defending the base is an exciting part of the game.

Throughout each level, power-ups will appear. But after some time, they vanish as soon as they come. Power-ups vary. Some will improve your tank up to the 4th level, give an extra life, or destroy all enemies on-screen.

Your tank can take 1 hit to be destroyed, unlike the enemy tanks which take 1 to 5 hits (depending on the level). Each level contains more than 10 tanks to defeat. Enemy tanks vary by different level

Your tank can move and can shoot in any direction it faces. The map varies by level. You can't cross water but you can destroy brick buildings to move if they block you. Metal structures can't be destroyed unless you have upgraded your tank to the 4th level through power-ups

The 2 player mode of this game is fun and where you defend your base together. If you shoot your co-player, his tank just gets stunned. Cannot move temporarily but he can still shoot. The 2 player mode is strongly advised for enjoyment greatly.

The controls in this game are nothing special but are quite responsive.

Battle City is quite challenging. Levels are harder after getting past one every time. Do 2 player co-op and plan a strategy to have the most maximum fun out of it.

My Verdict

Battle City is a great game. Other tank games since Battle City do not have such an enjoyable 2 player mode with a good challenge. Do yourself a favor and play it with a friend.

No NES? Emulators are your friend and go get a twin USB gamepad for the co-op play!