Overview and Gameplay
Alien space stations stand between Earth and survival, and the player rolls in with a Vindicator battle tank built for maze combat.
Vindicators is the NES version of Atari Games’ arcade tank shooter, released by Tengen as an unlicensed NES cartridge. The player drives through top-down enemy bases, destroys tanks, turrets, mines, UFOs, and bosses, collects keys, manages fuel, and reaches exit doors before the tank runs dry.
Controls And Mechanics
- Fuel drains during play and drops faster after damage, making movement and survival part of the challenge.
- Keys open exit doors, while battle stars are spent on upgrades between levels.
- Upgrades include speed, fuel, shot range, shot power, shot speed, force shields, Smart Shots, and Bomb Cannons.
- Smart Shots track enemies, while Bomb Cannons work as stronger special weapons.
- Two players can fight through the tank bases together in cooperative play.
Version Notes
This is the unlicensed Tengen NES release, not a Nintendo-licensed cartridge. The original game began as an Atari Games arcade release.
Release And Credits
- NES release: 1989
- NES port: Westwood Associates
- Publisher: Tengen
- Arcade original: Atari Games
