The game uses a side-view perspective and pits two fighters against each other in best-of-three-round matches. Players move laterally, jump, crouch, guard, attack, and use character-specific techniques to reduce the opponent’s life gauge.

Arcade play is organized as a sequence of battles against computer-controlled opponents, with a human-versus-human mode available when another player joins. Winning fights advances the player through the ladder; losing the required number of rounds ends the credit unless another credit is inserted. The supplied arcade version does not provide a verified alternative campaign structure.

Learn the spacing and recovery of the selected fighter’s normal attacks before relying on special techniques. Staying close enough to punish missed attacks, while avoiding reckless jumps, is generally safer than constantly attacking.

Against the computer, block first when an opponent approaches and retaliate after a visibly unsafe move. In two-player matches, vary attack timing and movement so that predictable patterns are not easily countered.