Balance Wars is a two-player battle on a narrow platform floating above the sea. The fighters move in a slightly strange, wobbly way, and every hit pushes them closer to the edge. The goal is simple: stay on the platform and knock your opponent off it.
Each fighter has a gun. Shoot your opponent to push them back towards the edge, and jump to dodge their shots. Move left and right to keep your own balance and avoid sliding into the water. Bonuses appear around the platform, and collecting them gives you special powers that can turn the fight. The player who pushes the other off the platform scores a point, shown on the side of the screen. Day and night take turns as the match goes on.