Viewpoint is a top-down orthographic perspective game in the tradition of Zaxxon. The PlayStation and Saturn versions feature 3D rendered graphics with texture maps, unlike the other versions which primarily feature shaded polygons.
The gameplay involves one or two players (in hot-seat or cooperative mode) controlling a spaceship equipped with a laser cannon that can be charged by holding the shooting button down for a stronger blast. Besides the main weapon, three special weapons are available: a wall of fire that wipes the screen up in a wave, a nova-like blast, and a circle of spherical-green homing missiles.