Home Alone is a 2D-sidescrolling platformer based on the 1990 movie of the same name. The player takes control of Kevin McCallister, who is accidentally left behind by his family when they go off on holiday. During this time, the burglars Harry and Marv break in, and Kevin must foil them.
Kevin's goal is to collect a number of valuables and lock them in a safe within a limited amount of time. He can move between floors using stairs, beds that act as trampolines, food lifts, boxes, and cushions. There are also optional items like hamburgers that provide bonus points. The player must avoid Harry and Marv, who can be jumped over or shot to stun them briefly.
The game is divided into sets of levels, each with a unique theme such as Family House, Fun House, Green House, Power House, and Haunted House. Each set consists of three initial levels, followed by version four and five levels with a new theme for each stage. There are 29 levels in total, introducing new graphics, environments, items, and ways to move between floors. Bonus House levels allow the player to collect as many objects as possible before time runs out.
Players must complete all levels without saving or using a password system, with only a limited number of tries provided at the start. The game's difficulty increases as it progresses, requiring players to stay focused and strategic throughout.