Each of the games' plots loosely follows the "Smooth Criminal" segment of the film, in which Jackson rescues kidnapped children from the evil Mr. Big, and incorporates synthesized versions of some of the musician's songs.

If up close to enemies, Jackson executes a spinning melee attack using magic power.

Once collected or rescued, Bubbles transforms Michael into a robotic version, with the ability to shoot laser bursts and missiles and absorb significantly more damage.

A prototype unit was demonstrated at Mexico's American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) exhibition in early July 1990.

The game involves the player controlling the pop star in a quest to save all the kids that have been kidnapped by Mr. Big.

[11] The gameplay is focused on finding children, all of whom resemble Katie from the movie, who are scattered throughout the levels, some behind objects such as doors.

Jackson also has a special attack button which, when held, will cause him to start spinning; releasing it will cause him to throw his hat at enemies, destroying them instantly, but if the button is held for longer, Jackson will bring all on-screen enemies together to start dancing to his music.

Once all children are rescued, Bubbles will mount on Michael's shoulders and point him in the direction of the level's final confrontation, where Mr. Big taunts him before sending waves of enemies for Jackson to defeat (on the Master System version, Bubbles is absent, and the levels cut straight from the final child to the enemy rush).

Most notably a full Thriller music track is present in the graveyard stage as well as a different final boss battle which is incomplete.

The prototype was acquired by Landon White[12] who dumped and preserved the ROM file[13] online on August 6, 2018.

The last level involves morphing into a robot and shooting at soldiers in openings, with the player controlling a crosshair.

[29] Your Sinclair compared the ZX Spectrum version of the game to Gauntlet and Operation Wolf, saying it was well animated and "a surprising amount of fun".