Players have three playable characters to choose from:
Hikaru Ichijyo,
Maximilian Jenius, and
Milia Fallyna Jenius. The character the player chooses affects the color markings of the
VF-1 Valkyrie variable fighter, as well as the type of weapon fired while in Fighter,
GERWALK and Battroid modes. During the transformation between these modes, the player is briefly invulnerable to most attacks. Each of the Fighter, GERWALK and Battroid modes has three power-up levels, which can be increased by collecting an object with a P on it that gives the vocal "Maximum Power" and is released upon defeating an enemy (usually either a mini-boss or a red-colored smaller enemy). Score bonuses, 1-UP bonuses and shield bonuses are other available powerups. Being hit by an enemy not only takes away shield power, but also reduces the currently selected weapon's power by one level. There are no "lives"—continues must be used to return to the start of each of the seven levels after the variable fighter's shield runs out and is destroyed. In addition to the different types of weapons available, the player, regardless of playable character choice, has a weapon dubbed the "
Minmay cannon". If the player does not fire their weapon for some time, their fighter will glow. Touching certain enemies while glowing allows them to join the player as an invincible ally, who will attack the player's enemies. ==Music==