The Bad Dudes game is a one or two player interactive coin-operated video amusement machine. Each set of player controls consist of a 8-way joystick, an "Attack" push button, and a "Jump" push button. Each player also has an individual "Start" push button.
The combination of joystick position, button combination, and distance to the enemy control which attack move the player image will perform.
The combination of Joystick and Jump button movement allows the player image to change from one level to another, or jump over and avoid an enemy.
source: operation & service manual