Overview and Gameplay
A supernatural storm hurls commandos Paul and Vince thousands of years into the future, where Zang Zip, the War Dog, rules an Earth filled with monsters and stone creatures. This NES adaptation of SNK’s arcade game Victory Road is a top-down run-and-gun shooter built around five vertically scrolling stages and end bosses.
Weapons grow stronger when duplicates are collected. Hearts fund Barshop purchases, while optional portals lead to bonus games or extra fights. Destructible scenery can reveal paths and equipment, and lingering too long brings falling bombs.
Controls And Mechanics
- B uses the selected main weapon. Holding it while moving locks the firing direction for sidestepping.
- A throws grenades or places land mines.
- Select opens the inventory for weapons, Heart Marks, health, and stored powers.
- Death removes the current score, weapons, items, and hearts, making the slow movement and long stages especially punishing.
- Two players can fight simultaneously in local co-op. Forward scrolling waits until both commandos advance.
Version Notes
The NES version adds an HP gauge, weapon upgrades, inventory items, Barshops, optional minigames, and a five-stage structure not found in the arcade original. The Japanese Famicom release is titled Ikari II: Dogōsōken.
Release And Credits
- North American release: April 1988
- Publisher: SNK Corporation of America
- NES conversion: Micronics
- Original platform: Arcade
