| Atari Games' operators manual for the arcade cabinet (TM-317) carries a 1988 copyright line and describes Vindicators as a tank game for one or two players with a continuous buy-in feature that lets players join in. Each player has a tank controller with thumb and trigger buttons, used to steer and to fire an arsenal of weapons. | image 4, copyright pagechapter 1, Game Play, Introduction (images 10-11)chapter 1, Introduction (image 11)chapter 1, Introduction (image 11)image 37, technical information supplements | Manual |
| The arcade manual sets the game in the year 2525: as team commanders of SR-88 Strategic Battle Tanks, the players face the invading forces of the Tangent Empire, whose 14 space stations they secure by demolishing each one's control center. The tanks' fuel supply is volatile, so they pick up fuel canisters on the stations' levels, and battle stars found along the way provide enhancements such as increased shot range and shot power, force shields, smart shots and bomb cannons. Players can choose where to start and earn a cache of stars for taking a harder start. | chapter 1, Play Mode (image 11)chapter 1, Play Mode (image 11)chapter 1, Play Mode (image 11)chapter 1, Play Mode (image 11)chapter 1, Play Mode (image 11)chapter 1, Introduction (image 11)chapter 1, Play Mode (image 11)chapter 1, Play Mode (image 11)chapter 1, Play Mode (image 11), list of enhancementschapter 1, Play Mode (image 11), list of enhancementschapter 1, Play Mode (image 11), list of enhancementschapter 1, Play Mode (image 11), list of enhancementschapter 1, Play Mode (image 11), list of enhancements | Manual |
| The arcade game carried a contest: a player who completed the contest round entered a name, age and birth date and got a five-character code to send to Atari Games for a free Vindicators T-shirt, with entries to be postmarked by 1 October 1988. | chapter 1, Special Contest Feature (image 12)chapter 1, Special Contest Feature (image 12)chapter 1, Special Contest Feature (image 12)chapter 1, Special Contest Feature (image 12) | Manual |