Metro-Cross runs on Namco Pac-Land hardware, but with a video system modified to support a 2048-color palette like in Dragon Buster.

It uses a Motorola M6809 microprocessor, with a Hitachi HD63701 sub-microprocessor (both running at 1.536 MHz) and Namco 8-channel waveform PSG for audio.

The player takes control of a man known only as Runner, who is given a time limit to run through each of the game's thirty-two rounds while avoiding obstacles and collecting drink cans.

The actual running happens automatically and the goal of the player is to avoid the obstacles and collect the cans by moving the Runner with the stick and adjusting his speed accordingly.

There are also two different types of drink cans; kicking them will either grant the player bonus points (from 100 to 5000) or speed the Runner up, but jumping on them will stop the timer for a few seconds.