Burning Force/Gameplay

Controls

 * Joystick: For the first two areas of each world, use the 8-way joystick to direct Hiromi left and right on her scooter, as well as brake and accelerate; for the third and fourth areas, use it to direct her ship (which her scooter will have been transformed into inside the "Mothership") around the screen.
 * Firing Button: Use this button to make Hiromi's scooter (or ship) fire shots at the enemies; if that "Shot Triger" (sic) setting in the options menu has been set to "Auto", you can press and hold it to fire continuously, but if it has been set to "Manual", you'll have to press it every time you want to fire.
 * Missile Button: Use this button to make Hiromi's scooter or ship fire a missile at the enemies; there are two types of missiles: "H-Types", which will home in on the enemies, and "M-Types", which will create a huge explosion on impact. If Hiromi has no missiles, pressing this button has no effect.
 * 1 or 2 Player Buttons: Push these buttons to begin a 1 or 2 player game.

Hiromi Tengenji (ひろみ天現寺)
This blue-haired space cadet and Miyuki Chan lookalike is the protagonist of the game; to the left is how she appears in the first and second areas of each world on her motor scooter, while to the right is how she appears in the third and fourth areas of each world (inside her transformed flying ship). For those of you who don't know it, Miyuki Chan was the blue-haired shopkeeper from the "Kūchū IN" in Namco's own Ordyne (which was released in the previous year and also ran on Namco's System 2 hardware).

Powerups

 * [[File:Burning Force Powerup W.png]] W: A red ball with the letter emblazoned on it in blue, this one will allow Hiromi's scooter (or ship) to fire five limegreen shots simultaneously.
 * [[File:Burning Force Powerup L.png]] L: A red ball with the letter emblazoned on it in green, this one will allow Hiromi's scooter (or ship) to fire long and powerful lime-green shots.
 * [[File:Burning Force Powerup C.png]] C: A red ball with the letter emblazoned on it in yellow, this one will allow Hiromi's scooter, or ship, to fire two spiralling shots simultaneously.
 * [[File:Burning Force Powerup H.png]] H: A purple ball with the letter emblazoned on it in white, this one will replenish Hiromi's missile stock, with maximum of five H-Type Missiles.
 * [[File:Burning Force Powerup M.png]] M: A purple ball with the letter emblazoned on it in red, this one will replenish Hiromi's missile stock with a maximum of five M-Type Missiles.

Enemies
Zako-021 (ザコ-０２１) - These one-eyed robots hover into view from the screen's sides, then towards Hiromi while firing projectiles; 100 points.

Zako-001 (ザコ-００１) - These dragonfly-like robots emerge from out of the water, and hover towards Hiromi while firing projectiles; 100 points.

Zako-004 (ザコ-００４) - These spaceship-like robots will hover towards Hiromi from the screen's sides (while firing projectiles; 100 points.

Zako-029 (ザコ-０２９) - These two-legged ball-like robots attack by flying towards Hiromi, while firing projectiles once they see her; 100 points.

Zako-018 (ザコ-０１８) - These crab-like robots fly into view from the screen sides, then towards Hiromi while firing projectiles; 200 points.

Zako-015 (ザコ-０１５) - These Transformer-like robots (the first of many for this game that resemble them) attack by emerging from out of the water at the bottom of the screen, then hovering up into the air (while firing projectiles at Hiromi); they are worth 500 points.

Zako-002 (ザコ-００２) - These submarine-like robots will sail into view (from either side of the screen) then fire projectiles at Hiromi as they pass her; they are worth 200 points, and due to the fact that the water on them is blue, it means they appear in the first world.

Zako-003 (ザコ-００３) - These battleship-like robots also sail into view (from either side of the screen) then fire projectiles at Hiromi as they pass her; they are worth 200 points, and due to the fact that the water on them is blue, it means they appear in the first world.

Zako-014 (ザコ-０１４) - These Transformer-like robots (the second in the game that resemble them) will attack by hovering towards Hiromi, then hovering around her and firing projectiles at her as they pass her and flying into the distance; they are worth 2500 points.

Zako-010 (ザコ-０１０) - These blue cannon-like robots will attack by bouncing up towards Hiromi while firing projectiles at her; 200 points.

Zako-020 (ザコ-０２０) - These ship-like robots attack by hovering towards Hiromi and fire projectiles at her once they see her; 100 points.

Zako-011 (ザコ-０１１) - These long-legged robots emerge from out of the sand and hover away from Hiromi while firing projectiles; 200 points.

Zako-024 (ザコ-０２４) - These tank-like robots will roll towards Hiromi from behind, then turn to face her and fire projectiles at her as they pass her; if they roll into Hiromi from behind, the resulting stun may stop her just long enough for them to fire a projectile at her. 200 points.

Zako-007 (ザコ-００７) - These cuboid-shaped box-like robots will be launched by World 2-1's boss, and will fly towards Hiromi while firing projectiles at her; again, if they fly into her, the resulting stun can disable her just long enough for them to fire a projectile at her. 100 points.

Zako-016 (ザコ-０１６) - These Transformer-like robots (which are the third in this game that resemble them) will fly towards Hiromi while firing projectiles at her, then explode when shot, and run away from her into the distance; they are worth 100 x 2 points (100 for both hits).

Zako-032 (ザコ-０３２) - These missile-like robots will be launched into the air by ground bases, then explode into eight projectiles which must be avoided if they are not hit; they are worth 400 points, and are the first enemy in this game that appears to be based upon a missile or bomb.

Zako-036 (ザコ-０３６) - These ship-like robots fly into view from the screen's sides and away from Hiromi, while firing shots; 100 points.

Zako-039 (ザコ-０３９) - These ship-like robots will fly towards Hiromi while firing projectiles in six directions, and can only be hit by barrage of H-Type missiles (or, if Hiromi's scooter has been propelled into the air by a "Jumping Zone"); they are worth 1000 points.

Zako-019 (ザコ-０１９) - This green capsule-like robot houses the boss of World 2-3, and will split into two parts to let it out; it is indestructible.

Zako-005 (ザコ-００５) - These spaceship-like robots attack by hovering towards Hiromi (while opening and firing projectiles); 100 points.

Zako-017 (ザコ-０１７) - These lamppost-like robots will attack by moving vertically or horizontally while firing projectiles in four directions at Hiromi; they are either found mounted upon the sides of poles on the screen's sides or on top of gantries at the top, and worth 1000 points.

Bomb Launcher (ボンブ発射) - These test tubes are the first enemies in the game to not be known as "Zako-XXX", and attack by firing homing missiles at Hiromi (seen in the image to the left); they are worth 200 points, and the two Kanji characters in its Japanese name read as hassha.

Zako-008 (ザコ-００８) - These spherical robots approach Hiromi from behind, then zip away from her while firing projectiles at her; 400 points.

Zako-046 (ザコ-０４６) - These satellite-like robots fly away from Hiromi while firing projectiles at her and can only be hit by missile; 200 points.

Zako-031 (ザコ-０３１) - These totem-style robots will attack by spitting projectiles from their mouths at Hiromi once they notice her; 100 points.

Zako-037 (ザコ-０３７) - These target-like robots attack by emerging from the ground and firing off projectiles to both sides at Hiromi; 10 points.

Zako-028 (ザコ-０２８) - These fountain-like robots will attack by firing projectiles into the air at Hiromi; indestructible, and 10 for every hit.

Zako-043 (ザコ-０４３) - These ball-like robots attack by rolling towards Hiromi, while firing homing missiles once they notice her; indestructible.

Zako-038 (ザコ-０３８) - These modern-sculpture-like robots hover in place while firing projectiles down at Hiromi as she passes; indestructible.

Zako-006 (ザコ-００６) - These clam-like robots fly into view from the screen sides, then towards Hiromi while firing projectiles; 200 points.

Marble Launcher (マーブル発射) - These domes will attack by opening up and launching eight multi-coloured marbles at Hiromi when they see her (two of each different colour); they're worth 600 points, and the two Kanji characters in their Japanese name again read as hassha.

Zako-040 (ザコ-０４０) - These camera-like robots will fire out a machine-gun-like stream of projectiles at Hiromi once they see her; 200 points.

Zako-022 (ザコ-０２２) - These egg-like robots are launched towards Hiromi by the Zako-042 and will attack by firing off projectiles; 200 points.

Zako-042 (ザコ-０４２) - These traffic-cone-like robots will open and launch a Zako-022 at Hiromi from behind as she passes them; 500 points.

Carrier (カリア) - These ship-like robots carry Zako-012 into view from behind, then let them go and fly away while firing shots; 100 points.

Zako-012 (ザコ-０１２) - These Transformer-like robots (which have "01" painted upon their right legs) attack by firing projectiles down at Hiromi while they are being carried by the Carriers and then fly directly towards her once they have been let go; they are worth 500 points.

Zako-013 (ザコ-０１３) - These Transformer-like robots (which are the fifth and final type of robot in this game that resemble them) will fly towards Hiromi while dropping the Zako-041 bombs on her and can only be hit by a barrage of H-Type missiles; they are worth 500 points.

Zako-041 (ザコ-０４１) - These lantern-like bombs are dropped on Hiromi by the Zako-013 and World 4-3's boss and create a flame on impact; they are indestructible and you should be sure to stay up out of the flame range when you are fighting World 4-3's boss in the transformed ship.

Zako-045 (ザコ-０４５) - These snake-like robots will emerge from ground bases and attack by weaving around Hiromi while firing projectiles at her; they are worth 100 x 5 points (100 for each of their five sections, for they will all go down individually).

Zako-030 (ザコ-０３０) - These alligator-like robots will home in upon Hiromi to eat her scooter before pulling back up again; 1500 points.

Zako-025 (ザコ-０２５) - These cab-like robots attack by opening up at their back and releasing Zako-011 at regular intervals; 700 points.

Zako-027 (ザコ-０２７) - These gun-like robots hover towards Hiromi (while firing a projectile and two homing missiles at her); 500 points.

Zako-033 (ザコ-０３３) - These spike-like robots drop down on Hiromi as she is passing under them (while firing projectiles at her); 200 points.

Zako-035 (ザコ-０３５) - These forward-facing versions for the Zako-011 will bounce towards Hiromi (while firing projectiles at her); 200 points.

Zako-026 (ザコ-０２６) - These pipe-organ-like robots will attack by firing six projectiles into the air to land upon Hiromi; 1000 points.

Zako-044 (ザコ-０４４) - These bottle-opening-like robots hover into view from the sides of the screen (while firing projectiles); 200 points.

Zako-034 (ザコ-０３４) - These spike-like robots will fly up into the stratosphere as Hiromi approaches them, while firing projectiles; 200 points.

Zako-023 (ザコ-０２３) - These polygon-like robots hover into view from the sides, then towards Hiromi while firing projectiles; 200 points.

There is no enemy in this game that possesses the name of "Zako-009" (ザコ-００９); this is because it had already been taken by one of the obstacles.

Bosses
World 1-1 Boss (ワールド１-１ボス) - This hovercraft emerges from the "water" at the bottom of the screen and tries to stay ahead of Hiromi while firing off homing missiles at her; the homing missiles can be blocked for 10 extra points each, and it is worth 4000 points.

World 1-2 Boss (ワールド１-２ボス) - This pair of Zako-014 robots will hover towards Hiromi, then hover around her and fire projectiles at her as they passed her; like all the other Zako-014 present in this game, they are worth 2500 x 2 points.

World 1-3 Boss (ワールド１-３ボス) - This enormous ship emerges from the bottom of the screen and tries to stay ahead of Hiromi while firing off homing missiles at her flying ship; the red target in the centre is its only vulnerable point, and it is worth 10000 points.

World 2-1 Boss (ワールド２-１ボス) - This enormous satellite attacks by firing projectiles at Hiromi while launching Zako-007 robots from both of its sides at her; if one of those Zako-007 flies into her, the resulting stun may well cost her a life. It is worth 5000 points.

World 2-2 Boss (ワールド２-２ボス) - This spiked snake-like robot, which looks like a distant (but better-looking) precursor to the Onix from the Pokémon series, attacks by weaving around the screen, while spitting projectile flames from its mouth at Hiromi; it is worth 5000 points.

World 2-3 Boss (ワールド２-３ボス) - This enormous dragonfly-like robot attacks by emerging from the indestructible Zako-019, then flying and spinning towards Hiromi (while firing green projectiles at her), before flying back into the Zako-019; it is worth 20000 points.

World 3-1 Boss (ワールド３-１ボス) - This quartet of large Transformer-like robots will all try to stay ahead of Hiromi while splitting up and firing projectiles at her; the three secondary ones at the front are worth 2000 points while the main one at the back is worth 4000.

World 3-2 Boss (ワールド３-２ボス) - This Zako-043, which is surrounded by eight lanterns, will weave around the screen while firing homing missiles at Hiromi; each of the lanterns are worth 500 points, but the admittedly destructible Zako-043 itself is only worth 400.

World 3-3 Boss (ワールド３-３ボス) - This enormous multicoloured diamond-like ship attacks by flying and spinning towards Hiromi, but cannot fire off any shots at her; the three spheres orbiting it are its only vulnerable points and it is worth 3000 x 3 + 30000 points.

World 4-1 Boss (ワールド４-１ボス) - This hovercraft will try to stay ahead of Hiromi while firing (indestructible) bouncing bombs and spiralling projectiles at her; the former of these can also severely limit her mobility during the fight due to indestructibility. 9000 points.

World 4-2 Boss (ワールド４-２ボス) - This fighter jet will materialize in front of Hiromi to fire some green projectiles and homing missiles at her before vanishing, then rematerializing in front of her (in a different position on the screen); it is worth 6000 points.

World 4-3 Boss (ワールド４-３ボス) - This enormous fighter jet attacks by dropping Zako-041 on Hiromi, while firing projectiles from its two gunning posts which are its only weak points at her; once one is destroyed, the other one will no longer recede. 40000 points.

World 5-1 Boss (ワールド５-１ボス) - This six-sectioned totem-pole-like robot tries to stay ahead of Hiromi while firing six projectiles from its top section at her; each of its five lower sections takes one hit to blow away, and that aforementioned top one is 9000 points.

World 5-2 Boss (ワールド５-２ボス) - This upgraded Zako-020 will attack by firing three homing missiles from its left side and four projectiles from its right side at Hiromi; its centre is its only vulnerable point, and it's worth 10000 points.

World 5-3 Boss (ワールド５-３ボス) - This enormous bluebottle-like robot attacks by firing projectiles in ten directions at Hiromi, from its glowing spikes; its floodlight-like eyes, which it uses its handlebar-style nose to shield, are its only vulnerable points. 50000 points.

Final World Boss (ファイナルワールドボス) - This enormous space station will first attack by firing five projectiles at you from the first cannon on its right side; once you have fired enough shots at this cannon to destroy it, it will start firing larger homing missiles at you from its seven small green portholes. Once you have fired enough shots at each of these portholes, to destroy them, it will start firing three spiralling projectiles at you, from the cannon on its left side - and once you've fired enough shots at this cannon, to destroy it, it will start firing four projectiles at you from the second cannon on its right side. Once you have fired enough shots at this cannon, to destroy it, it will start firing green lasers at you from its three (larger) red portholes; once you have fired enough shots at each of these larger portholes to destroy them, three centipede-like creatures will emerge from them, and start spitting flames at you. Once you have fired enough shots at each of them to kill them for 1000 points apiece, the boss will tilt to the right and explode for 60000 points - and Hiromi will then receive 100000 points for every life she has got remaining. It's also worth noting that if you take too long over defeating any of the bosses, they will retreat, and you will receive your remaining time bonus as usual.

Obstacles
There are a total of twelve obstacles in this game; from left to right: Tall Rocks, Palm Trees, Zako-009 (lizard-like statues), Ionic Columns, Spinners, Trees, Tree Trunks, Modern Art Sculptures, Modern Art Lamps, Frozen Tree Trunks, Ice Blocks, and Asteroids. Flying into one will momentarily stun Hiromi, and all (but the Spinners) can be destroyed.