Editing Twinkle Star Sprites (section)

== Gameplay ==
[[File:NEOGEO Twinkle Star Sprites.png|thumb|left|Arcade screenshot]]

There are two types of standard attacks: a normal shot and a charge-up shot. Each character starts with two bombs, which clean the screen while briefly granting the player invincibility. The two players' playfields are separated by a vertical bar; each playfield is independent of the other. Series of enemies arrive from the top of the screen. The player must destroy them in chains (combos), which will send one or more fireball projectiles the opponent's screen (Normal Attack). Shooting a Normal Attack several times reflects it back as a glowing Reverse Attack. If Reverse Attacks are reflected again, a number of powerful counterattacks in the shape of one or more indestructible enemies appear (Extra Attack). Reflecting many Reverse Attacks at once can instead summon a [[Boss (video gaming)|boss]] (Boss Attack).
*The Extra Attacks and the Boss Attack vary from one character to another.
*The power gauge fills as the player destroys enemies, up to a maximum of three levels. By holding down the fire button and releasing when a certain level is reached, the player can launch a character-specific charge shot to assist in clearing enemies from the player's screen. At Level 1, the charge shot is launched. At Level 2, the charge shot and three Extra Attacks against the opponent are launched. At Level 3 (Max Level), the charge shot and a Boss Attack are launched. Firing charge shots at Level 2 and above will decrease the power gauge.
*30–40 seconds into a round, a blue orb appears among a chain of enemies. If this orb is destroyed in a chain, the player achieves Fever status for the next several seconds. Chains created during Fever generate faster and more plentiful Normal Attacks per enemy destroyed, which can prove to be very dangerous to the opponent if large chains are made.
*Both players are given five life points at the start of a round.
*Colliding into an enemy costs one life point, but the player cannot be killed this way; if a player has one life point left, colliding with an enemy will reduce the player's health to one half of a life point. When this happens, the player's character is stunned for a short while and is reduced in speed and attack power for several seconds after recovery, all while left more vulnerable to opponent attacks.
*Getting hit by a Normal Attack, Reverse Attack, Extra Attack or the projectiles from a Boss cost three life points.
*The match is over when either player loses all life points.
*When a player takes damage, the opponent recovers life points equal to half of the damage taken.
*If a round lasts longer than 100 seconds or the player does not fire a shot for more than 30 seconds, a [[Personifications of death|Death]] enemy appears. A player hit by this enemy loses immediately (Death Attack). The Death can be destroyed as any other enemy, but always comes back, harder to kill. Additionally, if a player is successful in volleying the Death character over to the opponent's side, and Death touches the opponent, the opponent dies instantly. This is a possible, though difficult, way to win. This, of course, would require the player to be skilled enough to avoid obstacles and not fire for more than 30 seconds.