Matches use a two-dimensional side view. Each team contains three fighters, and combat continues until every member of one team has been defeated. The winner keeps the remaining fighter's health, while the next round begins with the next team member.

Players use four attack buttons, directional movement, jumps, guarding, throws, command moves, and special techniques. The Power Gauge fills through attacks and damage. Stocked gauges enable Super Special Moves, while MAX Activation changes meter use and permits enhanced attacks and cancel techniques. The arcade version includes team battle and single-player progression, with the final encounter following the normal opponents.

Build meter while preserving a strong lead character for later rounds. Team order matters: a character with dependable neutral tools is often useful first, while a meter-hungry character can benefit from fighting later.

Use MAX Activation deliberately rather than spending it immediately. Practice each character's command normals, safe special-move pressure, anti-air attacks, and Super Cancel routes. Guarding and punishing unsafe moves are more reliable than constant attacks, especially against experienced opponents.