Bonkers is a side-scrolling platform game. As police officer Bonkers D. Bobcat, the player must apprehend a thief who has stolen three items from a cartoon museum: the Sorcerer’s Hat, the Mermaid’s Voice, and the Magic Lamp. The player has several abilities, including a speed dash, which is used to break through obstacles. To stop enemies, the player can toss bombs at them, jump on their heads, or perform a speed dash.
The game has six levels set across Hollywood, including a mansion, downtown, an ocean liner, a sewer, and a movie studio with Old West and science-fiction sets. Boss enemies must be battled at the end of each level. There are various objects throughout the game, such as balloons and shields. The player can acquire items by popping balloons open, and can carry more bombs for every 10 shields collected. Donuts and cakes restore the player’s health meter, and hearts can be collected to expand the meter.