The first release of the game, Sound Voltex Booth, was tested in various cities in Japan from August 26, 2011 until September 19, 2011.

The gameplay follows the formula of several other arcade and mobile rhythm games such as Beatmania IIDX and Arcaea, requiring the player to press buttons corresponding to "notes" approaching the bottom of the screen from the end of a simulated corridor.

An optional Generator Real Model can be installed on a cabinet to allow it to print cards.

The player is required to input corresponding commands when the object reaches the Critical Line at the bottom of the screen.

On the arcade cabinet, holding the start button whilst turning the right knob will change the lane speed.

The player is required to fill the rate gauge a certain amount (most commonly 70%) by the time the stage ends to clear it; otherwise the play session will be over.

The amount required to fill the gauge differs depending on the rate system the player is using.

On February 17, 2021, the publisher Konami released a new version of the cabinet called Sound Voltex: Valkyrie Model which included new features, such as a touchscreen mainly used to adjust settings; the new cabinet doesn't change the core gameplay.