Explore the many regions, working with both sets of bros. to jump gaps, solve puzzles and battle enemies. As players explore, they will level-up the characters by using timed button presses to defeat enemies and gain experience points.
Players frequently will have to split up the pairs of bros. to solve puzzles, oftentimes exploring both screens on the DS. In battle, they'll use items and both sets of bros. to dodge enemy attacks and deal their own damage. As the game progresses, they'll learn more and more combination moves, like the Spin Jump, Hammer Dive and Ball Bros. The new Nintendo DS Rumble Pak fits into the secondary expansion slot that normally houses Game Boy Advance games on the DS. Multiple actions in the game, such as explosions, lucky hits or attacks, trigger vibrations from the Rumble Pak.