The game is a side-scrolling platformer played from a two-dimensional perspective. Each numbered adventure begins with a selection of Robot Master stages, which can usually be attempted in any order.

Mega Man runs, jumps, climbs ladders, fires his arm cannon, and uses acquired special weapons. Defeated bosses grant weapons with different strengths and weaknesses, making stage order part of the progression. Completing the three remakes opens Wily Tower, an additional sequence with selectable weapons and new boss encounters.

Learn each boss's movement pattern before spending special-weapon ammunition. Weaknesses are important, but the Mega Buster remains dependable when a weapon is ineffective or ammunition is scarce.

Explore stages for energy tanks and other supplies, then choose a route that gives useful weapons early. In Wily Tower, plan the available weapon loadout before entering a stage because its encounters are designed around deliberate weapon selection.