Play Gain Ground Online Free for Arcade.

Arcade 1988 1 Player Sega, Renovation Products

Gain Ground hits different when it boots instantly in your browser. Released in 1988 on the Arcade, this retro classic from Sega, Renovation Products is ready the second you press start — no downloads, no setup.

The goal of each level, depending on the player's choice, is either to guide at least one player character safely to an exit point or to destroy all enemies within them, both of which must be completed before a given time limit elapses. It is set within a supercomputer's simulation of war, and follows up to three players traversing through a series of forty levels themed after select periods of human history.

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Gain Ground gameplay screenshot
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The Story Behind Gain Ground

Incidentally, no characters from Gain Ground actually appear in the crossover. Both conversions were handled by Sanritsu. In 2004, the game was remade for the PlayStation 2 as part of Sega's Japan-only Sega Ages 2500 series as Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol.

This version has additional new levels that must be unlocked, with new music to accompany them. Gain Ground was ported to the Sega Master System and the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in 1991. Chapter 15's title is "Gain Ground System" and both stages even have the party rescuing three of their companions (two in the first and one in the second) in true fashion to the original game.

How Gain Ground Plays

In Hard mode, the player starts the game with all twenty characters, but all the captive characters are removed from the levels. The Master System and the Genesis/Mega Drive have fifty levels in the game. The game consists out of four rounds, each having ten stages, where the tenth stage is a boss level.

There are forty levels in the arcade version of the game. In Gain Ground, the gameplay and mechanics are similar to both Berzerk (1980) and Gauntlet (1985). There are also ten completely new levels added to the Genesis/Mega Drive version, this Modern Epoch takes place in the streets of the city.

Why Players Still Load It Up

It is set within a supercomputer's simulation of war, and follows up to three players traversing through a series of forty levels themed after select periods of human history. Complex ranked Gain Ground 88th on their "The 100 Best Sega Genesis Games" list. The goal of each level, depending on the player's choice, is either to guide at least one player character safely to an exit point or to destroy all enemies within them, both of which must be completed before a given time limit elapses.

The Federated Government, greatly concerned regarding this ever increasing dangerous situation, developed a Gain Ground simulation system in the year 2348 in an effort to instigate their ever waning fighting spirit. is a 1988 action arcade video game developed and published by Sega. Game Machine reports that Gain Ground was among the most popular arcade games of February 1989.

Gain Ground — Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a controller to play Gain Ground?

A gamepad is optional. The keyboard mapping shown on this page works immediately, and plugging in a USB or Bluetooth controller switches the player over on its own.

Who developed Gain Ground?

Gain Ground was developed by Sega, Sanritsu and published by Sega, Renovation Products.

Where can I buy the original Gain Ground?

Scroll to "Other Places You Can Get This Game" beneath the write-up — it lists trusted stores selling official copies.

What console was Gain Ground released on?

Gain Ground was released for the Arcade in 1988.

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