Metal Clash (Japan)

Metal Clash is a two-player futuristic fighting game released in 1985 by Data East Corporation. Players control robotic mechs, piloting them across the screen to destroy waves of alien robots. The gameplay centers around using punches and kicks to defeat enemies; destroying flying saucers replenishes energy, while background objects yield points. Each stage culminates in a boss battle against a more powerful foe, often possessing its own health bar displayed on-screen. A unique feature allows players to disarm some bosses of their weapons – such as guns or energy shields – and retain them for use in subsequent levels. Taking damage depletes the player’s energy reserves and causes any equipped weapons to be dropped. The game features a straightforward, no-continue structure; once all lives are lost, the game ends. The two-player mode pits players against each other in a competitive match until one is eliminated. Metal Clash utilizes an 8-way joystick for control alongside two action buttons and is powered by sound chips that deliver distinctive audio during gameplay.