The format of the game is similar to arcade game such as Golden Axe, Final Fight or Streets of Rage. As you control the superheroes through the various levels, groups of thugs, robots and mutants will appear on each screen and need to be destroyed before you can advance. Each character has various short-range fighting moves (i.e. punching, kicking, jumping, and even tossing enemies into the back or foreground) that can be used to destroy the various minor enemies and the bosses. Some of these minor enemies will leave behind icons that give you an extra life, or restore your health or superpower energy bar.
Each character has a circular "super power" energy bar; this allows the use various special fighting moves. At the end of each level there is a supervillain to defeat, i.e. Mole Man, Super-Skrull, Attuma, Sub-Mariner, Psycho-Man, Doctor Doom. After the defeat of the boss, if you don't die, there is one of three bonus rounds. The fights here are set against Dragon Man, the Incredible Hulk, or Iceman. During the loading time between each level you can play a mini-car racing game.
During the game (or when there is a loss a life) you can switch between any of the superheroes not already being played, and an announcer's voice-over tells which character is chosen. Some of the major bosses will also speak briefly before they fight or are defeated; this is affected by your choice.
If you use the same move too many times, a "cheesy" icon appears but otherwise has no impact on the game.