The Ultimate Wizard is a platform-style game where you play as the protagonist, tasked with facing dark enemies while navigating through bricks, ladders, and staircases. To progress, you must cast spells to destroy these foes or avoid them using levitation arrows or other magic. Your goal is to find the key and place it in the keyhole, marking the end of that level. As you complete each level, the next one will appear, accompanied by sound effects as the level materializes before your eyes.
The game features 4-way joystick controls, allowing for simultaneous play with up to 6 players who can take turns playing through the levels. The game includes an additional 60 levels beyond those found in the original Wizard, including some created by Paul Reiche III, a renowned designer of Archon fame.