Montezuma's Revenge is a classic platformer where you play as Panama Joe, a treasure hunter tasked with finding an ancient treasure hidden deep inside catacombs. The catacombs are a large maze inhabited by monsters, including bouncing and rolling skulls, dancing spiders, disappearing and re-appearing chains, and fire. To progress, you'll need to find many keys and unlock doors. Panama Joe can jump and climb ladders, but combat is limited, so it's best to avoid enemies to prevent premature death.
The gameplay revolves around exploration, platforming, and puzzle-solving. As you navigate through the 100 rooms of the original version, you'll need to use your wits to overcome obstacles and find hidden paths. The game also features amulets that grant temporary invincibility, adding an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay.