Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel tells the story of Zero, a sidekick to the evil Edgar Ektor, who receives a letter from his girlfriend Amy about a lumberjack named Jacques Le Sheets destroying his homeland. Despite Ektor's plans, Zero decides to protect his land and its inhabitants from the lumberjack.
The gameplay in Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel is similar to that of Aero the Acrobat games, featuring fast-paced side-scrolling and platforming action. Players control Zero as he executes his trademark Kamikaze Slam, eliminating enemies by spinning in the air and crushing them. The squirrel can also collect shurikens, using them for projectile attacks. With double jumps, Zero can reach high platforms and jump over larger chasms.