Play Battle City Online

Summary

Battle City, sometimes called Tank 1990 on pirate multicarts, is a classic multidirectional shooter that first appeared on the Family Computer in 1985. You pilot a lone tank, blasting enemy tanks that stream in from the top of the screen while protecting a tiny phoenix‑shaped base. Each of the 35 stages is a 13‑by‑13 grid filled with destructible brick walls, indestructible steel barriers (breakable only after collecting three stars), hidden bushes, slippery ice and impassable water, forcing you to plan every move.

The game shines with its two‑player co‑op mode and a built‑in level editor—one of the earliest examples of player‑created content. Power‑ups drop from flashing red tanks, ranging from a time‑stop clock to a shield and a bomb that wipes out all foes. Enemy tanks vary in size, with the biggest needing four hits, and later levels introduce decoy tactics that lure you away from the base. The simple yet deep design has inspired a vibrant ROM‑hacking community and even earned a spot as an unlockable in the Japanese version of Star Fox: Assault.