Fire Truck is the first arcade game featuring co-operative play, where the players control a single vehicle. One player drives the tractor while seated, including accelerator and brakes. The first player also controls a horn and bell, which have no affect on gameplay. The second player (if playing) controls the trailer, swinging it around curves to avoid collisions. In single-player mode, the player may control either the tractor or the trailer, with the game controlling the other half.
Gameplay
Player(s) control the truck over never-ending streets, and accumulate points while on the road. Going "off-road" or colliding with various obstacles causes a "crash", where the player must accelerate from a stand-still. The game ends when the truck runs out of fuel, and the distance traveled is the basis for scoring. A single-player cabinet operates identically to the multi-player game in single-player mode. This single-player version is called "Smokey Joe".
The cabinet operator can set gameplay time for up to 150 seconds, and extended gameplay bonuses for point totals earned before gameplay ends. Extended play reverses the color scheme to black-on-white.