Totally Rad uses a side-view perspective across linear action-platforming stages. Jake moves through forests, caverns, ruins, and other fantasy environments while defeating enemies, avoiding traps, and reaching the end of each area.

The basic actions are movement, jumping, and ranged magical attacks. Spells and transformations provide different offensive or defensive abilities, and progression depends on learning when to use each power. Boss encounters cap the major sections, with the final goal of rescuing Allison and defeating the game's wizard antagonist.

Learn the timing of each magical ability instead of relying on one attack throughout the game. Keep moving in enemy-heavy areas, use platforms to control your position, and approach bosses cautiously until their attack patterns are clear.

Conserve useful powers for difficult encounters, and explore the stage route carefully before committing to hazardous jumps. Familiarity with enemy placement is especially valuable because mistakes can quickly cost lives.