Mustang uses a side-view, horizontally scrolling presentation. The main objective is to fly through successive stages, destroy airborne and ground-based enemies, avoid projectiles and terrain hazards, and defeat stage bosses when they appear.

Player progress is based on surviving each stage rather than building a persistent character or equipment system. Shooting and movement are the central actions; power-ups may improve offensive capability in versions that include them. The DOS version's exact stage count, input mapping, and mode options are not confirmed here.

Stay mobile, but use controlled movement instead of constantly holding one direction. Watch for repeated enemy entrances and projectile patterns, since learning when threats appear is usually more valuable than firing blindly.

Prioritize immediate hazards and leave enough screen space to dodge. When a power-up appears, collect it only when the route is safe; losing a life while attempting a risky pickup can be more costly than continuing with the current weapon.