The game uses a side-view perspective and scrolls continuously from left to right. The objective is to survive each stage, destroy enemies and terrain targets, and defeat a stage boss before continuing to the next area.

Destroying orange power capsules moves the selection cursor along the power meter. Pressing the power-up button activates the highlighted upgrade, allowing the player to choose missiles, double or laser shots, options, a force field, and other enhancements. Losing a life removes the ship's accumulated equipment, making recovery a central part of progression. The arcade version is a single-player game with alternating support for a second player.

Prioritize power capsules and activate upgrades deliberately rather than advancing the cursor without a plan. Options, missiles, and the laser provide strong offensive coverage, but a force field can be more valuable when entering an unfamiliar boss or hazard section.

When recovering after death, stay conservative and collect nearby capsules before attempting risky attacks. Learn the position of terrain hazards and enemy entrances, because speed, safe positioning, and preserving equipment are usually more important than maximizing destruction.