In the days of the Song Empire in ancient China, the Minister of War, Gao Qui, was an evil man with limitless power until challenged by the Bandit Kings of Ancient China. As one of ten bandit leaders, it's your job (along with up to six friends) to orchestrate the war against Gao Qui while having the ability to determine your aptitudes in categories such as body, strength, dexterity, wisdom, integrity, mercy, and courage. Besides commanding your soldiers, you also must contend with such hindrances as taxes, salaries, food, depreciation and replacement of weapons, aging, unrest, epidemics, storms, wild beasts, riots, and desertion (just to name a few). Fight battles on a hexagon-based battlefield with each unit (a group of up to 100 soldiers) at your command as you deploy and instruct them across terrains ranging from mountains to ice. Engage in battle with one of four types of attacks (melee, archery, magic, or duel) and defeat an enemy unit to get the option of recruiting, imprisoning, exiling, or executing the remaining prisoners. However, time is of the essence as each battle lasts a month. If you have not defeated Gao Qui by January 1127, your game ends and the Northern Barbarians begin their own invasion.

NES Bandit Kings of Ancient China Cart Only Original Owner