players can play as a male or female lode runer, named jake peril and jane according to the manual, but the player's default name is digmo (which is changeable). the goal is to collect gold to advance to the next level, avoiding the mad monks along the way. however, instead of the usual sidescroller, players are able to move in six different directions on a freeform map (accounting for falling and going up and down ladders). there are separate levels designed for cooperation, as well as deathmatch in multiplayer mode.