The yellow tank deploys mines at a noticeably faster rate in comparison to other mine-deploying tanks.D-pad / nunchuck thumbstick: steer/move tank.Point wii remote at screen: aim reticle.The nunchuck may be used as an optional accessory. Completing Mission 20 completes the game and players are scored, with no further missions available in multiplayer. The same initial 20 missions in single player are featured in multiplayer, although often tanks are repositioned with the presence of a second player (while player positions may be interchanged between each other on subsequent sessions). For the sake of playability, it may benefit both players to spare each other and focus on defeating enemy tanks to proceed through missions, with the other player able to continue should one be defeated, and the defeated player being respawned in the following mission. However, there are no lives, and the game is ended when both players are defeated within the same mission. Friendly fire is a feature, with players able to attack each other should they choose. Players score a point for each enemy tank they destroy, and whoever destroys the most tanks wins. Unlike the other Wii Play games, in Tanks! it is semi-cooperative. Two players can play at multiplayer, player 1 a blue tank and player 2 a red tank. Completing Mission 100 completes the game.
Reaching any mission beyond Mission 20 will also reward a platinum medal. After Mission 20, arenas and tanks will usually be randomly selected and generated, although every five missions may feature preset layouts and also introduce a previously unplayed arena to the the arena rotation. Completing Mission 20 for the first time will reward a gold medal, and discreetly unlocks an additional 80 missions for 100 in total. Initially there are 20 missions available which all use preset layouts. The game is ended after being defeated with 0 lives remaining. The player initially starts with 3 lives and earns an extra life for every 5 missions completed. However, previously destroyed enemy tanks from the mission will not be respawned, making it gradually easier to progress.
When this happens, the player will lose a life and the current mission will be reset. The player has a single hit point and will be defeated if receiving damage from bullets or mines, including the player's own. All tanks leave tracks behind themselves. This can destroy certain blocks and additionally penetrate through unbreakable blocks. The player and some enemy tanks possess the ability to place mines, which detonate on a timer in a moderate blast radius, or prematurely, by proximity if approached or if shot outright. There are also potholes, which tanks are blocked from crossing but bullets are able to. Although the playing field is two-dimensional, the vertical stacking of blocks can at times obscure visibility. Since most bullets can ricochet, combat between tanks often requires predictive aiming and angular judgement to strike moving targets while avoiding incoming fire from sufficient cover.
Gameplay involves manoeuvring around the arena and attacking enemy tanks.
The arena plays in two dimensions within a three-dimensional landscape, and consists of rectangular blocks which serve as obstacles in tanks' paths and bullet trajectories.