The player takes on the role of a mouse named Marvin, who must complete 21 stages fraught with traps to reach a piece of cheese. The player must collect all the items (varying from cakes to balloons) from the level within a certain time, which will open an exit to which they must go to complete the level. Along the way, the player must avoid contact with moving (and stationary) objects (except platforms and elevators) and falling from too high a height, resulting in loss of life and restarting the level.