Player character
A futuristic soldier controlled by the player, armed with a transforming weapon system to repel the alien forces.
Documented for this version
Which controls does this version use?
Actions
Joystick | Move the aircraft or helicopter. |
|---|---|
Shot button | Fire the current weapon. |
Bomb button | Use a bomb. |
Control notes
Two-player games alternate turns.
Control labels can vary between arcade cabinets and regional instruction cards.
How it plays
How does A-JAX play?
The game is played from overhead or side-scrolling perspectives, with one player active at a time in two-player mode. The objective is to clear successive stages, destroy enemy units and installations, and defeat each stage boss without losing all lives.
The aircraft fires continuously or manually depending on the cabinet setup, while bombs provide a limited defensive or offensive attack. Power-ups improve the main weapon and may add options or other attack capabilities. Later stages combine tighter enemy patterns, terrain hazards, and more durable targets.
Plan your run
What is the best way to play A-JAX?
Stay mobile rather than hovering in one position, especially when enemy formations enter from the screen edges. Learn when to use bombs: saving them for dense projectile patterns or difficult boss attacks is usually more valuable than using them against ordinary enemies.
Collect weapon upgrades when the route is safe, but avoid chasing a power-up into enemy fire. Memorize the transitions between overhead, side-scrolling, and pseudo-3D sections, since each perspective changes the timing needed for movement and attacks.
Meet the cast
Who are the key characters?
Before you begin
What should you know before playing?
- 1
Use bombs during crowded attack patterns or when a boss leaves little room to maneuver.
- 2
Prioritize enemy threats entering from behind or from the sides.
- 3
Practice stage transitions, because the change in viewpoint can alter movement timing.
Community discussion
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