The Smurfs Travel The World for the Super Nintendo console brings together the beloved blue creatures in a classic action-adventure platformer. Inquisitive Smurf and Smurfette find themselves stranded after breaking the Magic Crystal that allows them to travel. With their village in danger, they must embark on a journey to retrieve all shards of the Crystal and return home.
The gameplay focuses on exploration rather than combat, with enemies that can be avoided or defeated with a kick or jump. Shards are scattered throughout each level, some requiring specific actions such as jumping on enemies or using the sprint jump. The Smurfs have four hearts, losing a life with each fifth contact. Collecting hearts and small Smurf icons fills the meter, unlocking bonus levels at the end of each continent.