Being a strategy game for the NES, the controls are very simple.
Controls
Description
Use the direction pad to move the cursor on the map and select choices on the menu interface. The cursor naturally speeds up on it's own when holding down a direction.
Press the A button choose units and commands. It is also used to advance dialogue and story. You can also press A on an empty square to bring up the menu.
Press the B button to cancel to your last choice or to exit out of the command menu.
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While holding down the B button, use the direction pad to move the cursor at it's fastest speed initally.
Press the Start button to choose a command on the title screen. (The A button also does this.) As this is a turn-based strategy game, there's no pausing.
Press the Select button to cycle through your choice of targets when attacking.
As stated earlier, pressing on an empty square during a scenario will bring up the menu. This will also display the turn count as well as your funds. Press to go back to controlling the map cursor. Note that the English is based on the English patch and not a direct translation of the same choices in the original Japanese version. The terms from both versions of the game are listed here for convenience.
Saves your current state in the game. This is different than the save feature between scenarios. To use this save, select Continue in the title screen.