Zanac/Secrets and tricks


 * Whenever you start a new game, make sure you shoot the first SART ship you see. It will turn into a ROUND FACE powerup. When the face is blue it will move upwards towards the top of the screen. Keep shooting it, and it will turn red and descend towards the bottom. Either way, touch the ROUND FACE and earn a 1-up! Throughout the game other SARTs will occasionally turn into ROUND FACES. Some WEAPON DROPs also turn into ROUND FACES instead of special weapon upgrades, so be sure to shoot them all even if you don't want the weapon it appears to be carrying. This change seems more reliable if you always shoot the SART or WEAPON DROP with your Special Weapon.


 * When you start your first game on Level 1 after powering on or restarting the NES, you will see a typical trio of BOXes. The middle BOX will always contain the POWER CHIP, so just ram on into it and go straight to Triple Missiles. This only works for the first game after you start the NES!

In general after that, the first trio of BOXes you see in a new game will have its POWER CHIP in the BOX farthest to the right of the screen.


 * It may seem obvious, but survival should be your top priority. Even if you have 20 "extra" Zanacs piled up, if you die and lose your super weapons you could lose them all in moments, especially when you are at a base. Do not worry about points or powerups when your life is at stake.


 * If you've earned the Super Missile by hitting a HAPPY FACE but did not previously have the Triple Missile, make sure you don't pick up any POWER CHIPs. Doing so will make you lose your Super Missile and go back to your previous level of Conventional Weapon.


 * To select the stage you want to begin at, press Reset 13 times on your NES, then press start. You will be able to select the stage you wish to start at by pressing left or right on the D-pad. Be sure to choose CONTINUE rather than GAME START or you will start on Level 1 anyway. I think this only works after you first power on the NES; it won't work after you play a game or press START even if you then reset 13 times.


 * To continue on stages 11 or 12, you have to hold down A, B and Select when you choose CONTINUE. You can also press Down then Up on Controller Two then choose CONTINUE with Controller One.


 * In general, it is better start to a new game from scratch then continue on a higher level. It can be very difficult to start on some levels with just the default weaponry and number of Zanacs. Also, beginning at Level 1 allows you to build up some "momentum" before you reach the really difficult stages.


 * Hold down SELECT just before GAME OVER appears and you will hear a different GAME OVER theme than the usual one.


 * To use a different ship, hold down A, B, and SELECT as you press START to begin a new game. I believe the new ship looks different but behaves identically.


 * Hold down A and B when you turn on the NES. You will reach a sound test. Press left or right on the D-Pad to choose a particular song or sound effect, then press A or B to hear it.

It may be possible (according to the GameFAQs.com codes and secrets) to reach this sound test from the GAME OVER screen, but it is much harder that way -- I have not pulled it off.


 * Look for a typo on the title screen!