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When you start the game you'll see the Tecmos logo, followed by a screen where you can choose the number of players (with ) and choose which player controls which character (). Alex and Ryan play identically, so you only need to decide based on which you prefer the look of. If you want to rename the players, push .

When you are ready, push . Next you can set the message speed and skill level. For now just hit . After this you'll see the ransom note. Hit again to see the title screen. Hit once more and you begin gameplay.

Note: the Sharp X68000 version has additional optional areas, which are not covered here yet.

The game begins at Cross Town High. You'll soon be attacked by this area's resident gang, The Generic Dudes. Fight your way to the right then up to reach the Grotto Mall. Once here you can buy whatever you like, but you should get either Stone Hands or Dragon Feet as these techniques make fighting much easier (see Moves for more). If you don't have the cash go back and beat up the constantly-respawning gang members. Continue onwards.

In the next area you can go either up or right. At the moment going up leads to nothing, so continue to the right. Here is your first boss area. You must defeat all the gang members before the boss, Moose will appear. When you beat him continue upwards.

You're now at Waterfront Mall. Get Stone Hands or Dragon Feet if you didn't already; you only really need one of the two, as you can focus on buying items that boost the attack type you've bought the book for. There's also a pharmacy here; their products aren't consumed immediately and instead act as health kits, so if you've got some spare cash you may like to get a few. Head on to the right.

On the bridge you'll meet Roxy, who will give you some useful information on what you're up against. Head directly up into the red part to go under the bridge. Here you meet Benny and Clyde. They shouldn't be all that hard to defeat (especially if you bought a book) and you can knock them into the water if you need to. They give good money so you can keep going in and out to boost your funds. Once you're done, go back out.

Head right, up, right, and into the warehouse. Inside you'll find the third boss, Rocko. After beating him you need to backtrack to the park (the empty area mentioned above). Fight the gang members until the boss appears, then you'll meet Blade, the fourth boss and first of the Zombies. After defeating him return to the warehouse.

Back at the warehouse, continue right into the tunnel. If you push up under the fourth light you'll enter Merlin's Mystery Shop. This place sells extremely expensive stat-boosting items. Anyway, head right to leave the tunnel. Once outside you'll fight the second Zombie, Turk. Beat him, then head up and fight the third Zombie, Mojo. Continue up and you reach Flatirons Mall. Buy what you want here, then continue to the right when you're ready.

Go right two more screens until you see another factory. Enter and continue to the right. It is possible to go back out of the factory if you wish but you will need to use a running jump. In the second area of the factory you fight Thor, the fourth and last of the Zombies. Continue right, then head up.

Here is Oak Hill Mall, followed by Burb Village. Here you'll fight Benny and Clyde again. If you wish you can repeatedly beat them for money and use the sauna to heal, and then go back to the mall and buy things. Anyway, head on to the right.

Go up a screen and you'll see the gates of River City High. Ivan comes out. If you've beaten all the bosses you can now enter the school (otherwise the gates won't open and you'll have to backtrack).

Once inside the school you'll meet Otis. Beat him then climb on the hoops to reach the upper door. Head upstairs and fight Tex. Beat him then head upstairs. On this floor you can enter a secret room from the far right set of white doors to see a quick bonus. Anyway, continue further right to fight the Dragon Twins Randy and Andy. When you're ready, go through the doors they came through to fight the final boss. You can't run from him, so if you want to go buy anything do that now. Anyway, go through the doors.

You're now facing the final boss, Slick. Once he's dealt with you've won the game.