Q*bert is an isometric platform game with puzzle elements where the player controls the titular protagonist from a third-person perspective. Q*bert starts each game at the top of a pyramid of cubes, and moves by jumping diagonally from cube to cube. Landing on a cube causes it to change color, and changing every cube to the target color allows the player to progress to the next stage.
You control a boy walking through a platform maze trying to collect items while being chased by enemies. They can be killed by using the boomerang. The boomerang has a limited range and, if thrown, must always picked up. It will not return to you.