Matches take place in open 3D arenas viewed from a third-person fighting perspective. Players move around the opponent, attack with punches and kicks, guard, launch energy techniques, and use flying movement to change distance.

The main structure includes one-on-one battles, a tournament mode, and a story-oriented progression route. Winning fights advances the selected character through opponents, while unlockable content and transformations provide longer-term goals. Timing, spacing, ki management, and recognizing openings are more important than extended ground combos.

Keep enough distance to charge or use ki techniques, but avoid throwing attacks predictably. Flying movement can create safer angles and help escape pressure.

Guarding and counterattacking are usually more reliable than repeatedly trading close-range blows. Save transformations and powerful attacks for openings, and watch the opponent's energy level before committing to a long exchange.