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 30 will reward a Platinum Medal. After Mission 20, arenas and tanks will usually be randomly selected and generated, although every five missions may feature a preset layout and may also introduce a previously unplayed arena to the the arena rotation. Doing so for the first time discreetly unlocks an additional 80 missions for 100 in total. A Bronze Medal is rewarded for completing Mission 5, a Silver Medal for completing Mission 10, and a Gold Medal for completing Mission 20. Initially there are 20 missions available which all use preset layouts. The game is ended after being defeated with 0 lives remaining.

The player 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. If the player takes damage, they will lose a life and the current mission will be reset. All tanks leave tracks behind themselves. Both the player and enemy tanks have just a single hit point and will be destroyed if receiving damage from bullets or mines (note that the player is also susceptible to damaging themselves). This can destroy certain blocks and also penetrate through unbreakable blocks. Additionally, 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. Although the playing field is two-dimensional, the vertical stacking of blocks can at times obscure visibility. Since most bullets can ricochet off blocks, combat between tanks often requires predictive aiming and angular judgement to strike moving targets. Gameplay involves manoeuvring around the arena and attacking enemy tanks while avoiding incoming fire. The arena plays in two dimensions within a three-dimensional landscape, and consists of rectangular blocks and potholes, which tanks are blocked from crossing but bullets are able to.

Wii play tanks strategy guide