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On the battle grid, A confirms, B cancels, L and R switch units, and Start shows the map. In an attack sequence, move the reticle over an enemy and press A; while defending, keep your reticle moving away from incoming enemy targeting.
Controls at a glance
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| A | Confirm a choice or command; during an attack sequence, press it when the reticle is over the target. |
| B | Cancel a choice or command. |
| L / R | Move the cursor between units on the battle grid. |
| Start | View the battle grid map. |
| Select | Unused in the documented controls. |
These button assignments are transcribed from Daniel Engel’s GameFAQs guide, not an official manual.
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How battles work
Move and choose an action on the grid
Combat begins as a tactical grid encounter. Select a unit, move it to a legal square, choose an action such as an attack, and select a target. Press Start to check the battlefield layout before committing to a move.
Aim during an attack
After selecting an attack, the game shifts to a first-person reticle sequence. Move the reticle onto the enemy and press A to attack. If you miss, the enemy can evade. The first-battle walkthrough describes this sequence and the enemy’s attempt to evade.
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Keep moving during defense
During defense, your reticle represents your frame. Move it away from enemy targeting reticles before the timer runs out. The walkthroughs recommend practicing circles or movement around the edge of the targeting window; treat this as a suggested technique, not a guaranteed way to avoid every attack. One walkthrough also says the targeting minigame can be toggled at the matchup screen with the left shoulder button, so check that setting if the sequence has disappeared.
Beginner tips for early fights
Practice the two reticle phases separately
In an early encounter, first focus on placing the crosshairs over the enemy before pressing A. Then, during defense, practice keeping your reticle in motion. This helps you learn the distinct jobs of aiming to attack and moving to evade.
Let distant enemies approach when it helps
For an early mission, a walkthrough notes that enemies unable to make an adjacent attack cannot both move and fire a long-range attack in one turn. Its suggested tactic is to end the phase and let them close, then attack at range while they spend another turn approaching. This is specific early-stage guidance, not a rule for every enemy or mission.
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Use terrain and unit roles
Check terrain before ending a turn: the walkthrough points out that battlefield geography can provide defense or evasion bonuses. It also characterizes the early units this way:
- Razma: strong at range, weak up close.
- Semyl: broadly balanced, but slow.
- Blade: mobile and able to heal, but poor at fighting.
These are the walkthrough author’s descriptions, not official stat documentation.
Choose optional fights according to the objective
Defeating enemies can provide experience and upgrade funds, which may help in longer missions. But if a mission has a timed or urgent objective, prioritize its victory condition rather than treating every enemy as mandatory. The guides discuss both the possible progression benefit of clearing enemies and the need to keep mission goals in view.
Check the map and save when possible
Use Start to view the map and plan around the grid. The walkthroughs recommend saving before challenging battles; follow that advice when the game allows you to save, rather than assuming saving is available at every point.
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Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars is the North American and European name for Zone of the Enders: 2173 Testament, a Game Boy Advance strategy game published by Konami. RF Generation’s catalog record lists a 2001 Japanese entry and a 2002 North American variation. Those regional years are not interchangeable. This guide covers the GBA tactical game, not the separate console Zone of the Enders action game, whose controls and combat are different.
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