Players progress across the side-scrolling levels, jumping to avoid obstacles and reach platforms and defeating enemies with a default yo-yo weapon or projectile weapons obtained from treasure chests. They can also crouch or slide tackle to attack enemies or evade incoming attacks. Quickly tapping the attack button rapid-fires weapons, and holding the attack button charges an alternate fire mode that varies depending on the equipped weapon. There are also limited screen-clearing super attacks that also vary depending on the equipped weapon.