The game features two personalities for Maui, resulting in two different sets of controls. Normal Maui carries a bug gun, which can fire various insect ammo, including basic bugs, lightning, and fire bugs. By combining bugs, Maui can pack a more powerful blast at his enemies. As Maui finds Yin-Yang coins, he'll transform into Ninja Maui, who has lightning-quick reflexes and wields a bo staff.
Ninja Maui is handy for whacking enemies, but also allows him to climb between walls by jumping and propping the staff between them. He can hook onto duck heads and swing from them to reach areas he normally couldn't. However, finding Yin-Yang coins is crucial to fueling Ninja persona; otherwise, Maui will transform back to Maui Mallard . The Game Boy version has a slightly different level layout with fewer secrets.