The game uses a side-view perspective as Spider-Man explores city stages, enters buildings, fights criminals and supervillains, and searches for items needed to advance. The central objective is to gather evidence and stop the Kingpin's bomb before the deadline expires.

Spider-Man can punch, jump, climb, use web attacks, and swing from suitable surfaces. Stages contain platforming hazards, enemies, boss encounters, and occasional investigative objectives. Progression follows a fixed story route, with lives and health determining how much failure the player can absorb.

Learn enemy attack patterns before committing to close combat, and use web attacks to control dangerous opponents. Search each area carefully for clues, keys, and other progression items rather than rushing to the exit.

Conserve health and lives for boss encounters. Use climbing and web-swinging to bypass groups of enemies when possible, and remember that the game's deadline makes unnecessary backtracking costly.