Transformers: The Headmasters/Gameplay

Player cast
Throughout the game, you will have the ability to control a cast of Autobots. You can only control one robot at a time, but you are free to switch between available robots at any time. At the beginning of the game, you only have access to Chromedome. You must rescue four other Autobots from various portions of other stages. Once you have rescued the other four Autobots, you will be able to access the final stage where all five Autobots join Fortress Maximus for the final showdown against Scorponok. At all times, the status bar (shown right) is visible at the top of the screen. In addition to showing your score, the status bar also shows which robots are available (red robot), which robots have died (black robot), and how many robots have yet to be rescued (blank box). Below each box is a number and a letter. The number represents the amount of energy each Autobot has remaining (on a scale of 1 to 8). The letter represents that Autobot's power, A being the weakest and E being the strongest. Finally, the meters on the right side indicate your currently selected Autobot's statistics, E for energy, P for power, and S for speed. For more information, see the Items section below.

Every robot is identical in almost every way except for the pattern of their weapons. At the early levels of power, every robot can only shoot a single bullet that travels relatively slowly. As power picks up, so does the speed. At maximum power, each robot's shots takes on a different spread, with Hardhead's being among the most effective. In vehicle mode, Chromedome, Rodimus Prime, and Hardhead are land vehicles, while Highbrow and Brainstorm are air vehicles. Land vehicles typically have one ground-to-air weapon, and one ground weapon. All ground-to-air weapons travel straight on a diagonal, and most ground weapons fire straight ahead with the exception of Hardhead's whose tank cannon is lobbed at an arc. Air vehicles have only one mode of fire, but it gets more effective as power levels increase. * Rodimus Prime is known as Rodimus Convoy in Japan. ** Unfortunately, the graphics for Fortress Maximus' alt form is not Fortress Maximus, but actually Metroplex's battle station mode.

Items
Items are obtained at random by defeating opponents. Items revealed by ground vehicles slowly float to the ground. Items revealed by air vehicles stay at the same altitude, but scroll to the back of the screen. Items discovered in robot mode remain stationary.