Pad Attack is a spin-off game based upon Rush’n Attack (Europe: Green Beret), an action platform game released by Konami for arcade and NES in 1985. The player’s objective is to help Sakuya Izayoi, a maid from Scarlet Devil mansion to destroy a secret weapon being developed in enemy’s headquarters.
All soldiers have been replaced by cute and funny super deformed Touhou characters. The play mechanics are essentially identical to the NES version, but supports one player only. Sakuya relies on three abilities: jump, crouch and using knife to dispatch enemies. Lives and continues are removed and replaced by health bar. Whenever player hit by bullets or enemies, this bar will decreased gradually. If the bar runs out, the game is over.
In Pad Attack enemy’s behaviour or function are determined by the color of their oufit.
Foot Soldiers, the low ranking soldiers with extremely simple minded. They will run towards you in whichever direction they started running and continue to run in that direction even if they have passed you. They frequently appear in white, yellow with purple colors.
Combat Specialists, the soldiers with martial arts abilities. They behave just like as foot soldiers, but shortly before they would collide with you, they initiate a jump kick. They this time kick with deadly proficiency, and player must anticipate their attack in order to stay alive. Best react is attack and jump, but if you run forward and do not hesitate, they may jump clear over your head. They are easily identified by red color on every stage.
Gun Soldiers, the soldiers with marksmanship and run just slightly faster than you. They will attempt to catch up to you just enough to stop and fire off a bullet before they scroll off the screen. Sometimes they will disappear before they have that chance. Best react is duck down and let bullets pass over your head. If they are still on the screen when they finish firing, they will resume their chase of you. They are easily identified by green with blue colors.
Supply Runners, a special unit used to provide enemies with weaponry. They are not combatants and just running towards you. Player can strike and collect what they have, but usually grenades or a rocket launcher. They are easily identified by blue color on every stage.
Bomber, specially trained soldier in bombing mission. They only appear at certain points and have ability to drop grenades upon intruders down below. Since they can not be destroyed, the only way to survive is to avoid their grenade blast.