This level is your training wheels, especially for the first two bases. If you are familiar with shooters you will not have much trouble clearing Level 1 once you get the hang of things.
As the level begins, be sure to shoot the first SART with your Special Weapon as it will always turn into a HAPPY FACE. The first trio of BOXes will appear shortly thereafter. If this is the very first game you played since turning on the NES, ram into the center box to upgrade to Triple Missiles. If it is not the first game, just ram into the box on the right. These BOXes will appear around the first set of WEAPON DEPOTs, which are Fire 2 and Fire 1. Next up is Fire 4.
A little while after that you will pass a Fire 0 on the left of the screen which I recommend acquiring. If you prefer, two more Fire 2 WEAPON DEPOTs appear right afterwards in a row.
Your Zanac will fly over a large ravine and then afterwards fly over a much more narrow trench. Two Fire 6 powerups will appear on the right with a Fire 0 afterwards. I think you should obtain the Fire 0 again. If you have not died you will now have obtained Fire 0's maximum power level.
Moments later you will approach the very first Base. See "Base Destruction 101" in the "Tips, Tricks, and Techniques" portion of this FAQ for more general information on Bases.
With each Base in this walkthrough, I will note the time limit, bonus, TURRETs and my opinion of its difficulty level.
Base 1
- Difficulty: Simple
- Time Limit: 20
- Bonus: 4000 points
Description: This base is super simple -- it is merely a single CHIP Turret. Just fire at the TURRET with all your weaponry when it is open and firing CHIPs. When the TURRET closes you can withhold your fire or concentrate on other aerial targets.
Pretty soon the base will explode and you will have your bonus points. This may very well mark your first 1-UP earned at 20000 points. The little 1-up theme song is the sweetest sound in this game.
If you have trouble here, you are going to find Zanac to be rough going!
After the base you will fly over a long ravine. Immediately after the ravine is the second base!
Base 2
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Time Limit: 40
- Bonus: 8000
Description: The base is a single AMOEBA Turret surrounded by four Round BUILDINGs. Each BUILDING will release a random Super Weapon upgrade when shot. Also present are Fire 1 and Fire 3 WEAPON DEPOTs.
Shoot the AMOEBA Turret when it is open. You will destroy it quickly.
The next power up is a Fire 6 to the right of a ravine. After that you will see Fire 2 and Fire 3 WEAPON DEPOTs. As you pass over a large valley filled with a metal gridwork, you may sometimes be attacked by many DEGIDs or some Type 2 EFFINEs. A FIRE 4 DEPOT will appear on a island in the center of the screen.
After the valley ends you will pass over a square CHIP turret (not a base) and a Round BUILDING.
Afterwards, you will fly over another valley with two islands on the right. On the second Island is an a Type 2 ICON which will release a warp to Level 2.
When you are flying over land with a ravine to the left you will be able to grab a Fire 5 or Fire 7 depot. This is the first Fire 7 Depot in the game, so grab it! This is, in my opinion, the best weapon in the game especially at maximum. Finally, in another valley you will reach the last base.
Final Base
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time Limit: 40
- Bonus: 10000
Description: This base is a cluster of 4 ALMOND Turrets with an additional CHIP Turret at each of the base's 4 corners. Although this is the first base to present any real challenge it is still simple compared to ones you will face later. Take out the CHIP Turrets at the corners first then move onto the central cluster. When the base is destroyed, you will move on to Level 2.