The game uses a side-scrolling perspective. Players move through a sequence of stages, defeating enemy waves and bosses before reaching the next area. The objective is to survive each section while managing health, weapons, and enemy positioning.

Players can select from three Battletoads and two Double Dragon characters. Basic attacks, jumps, special techniques, environmental hazards, and picked-up weapons create different ways to handle encounters. A two-player mode supports cooperative play, while the single-player mode allows one hero to fight through the campaign alone.

Use the edges of the screen to avoid being surrounded, and attack one enemy at a time rather than rushing into a crowd. Weapons can quickly change an encounter, but they are often safer when used to control distance.

In two-player mode, coordinate targets and avoid striking through a partner's position. Learn the timing of each character's special move, preserve health before boss encounters, and watch for hazards that can damage both players.