Defend the last free outpost from destruction, for if it falls, the world will be lost.
In Tanks But No Tanks , you play as a lone tank defending its outpost against waves of phantom tanks that appear and disappear on the screen. Each level features twenty phantom tanks, although not all are visible at once. Once all twenty have been destroyed, you progress to the next level.
The levels become increasingly difficult: in level one, you must navigate through a wall maze to slow down the enemy; in level two, it's just a small island to protect yourself; and by level three, it's just you, your base, and the enemy. You start with five tanks per level, but if any are destroyed or your base is breached, the game is over.