Star Trek: The Motion Picture is a simulation game set in the Star Trek universe. The player controls a ship trying to eliminate enemy ships as much as possible. After destroying enough enemies, the player advances to the next level.
The screen has two status bars, one for the amount of torpedoes left, and one for the remaining shield. The shield is used to repel star-shaped projectiles fired by enemy ships. Both bars can be replenished by docking with a space station that comes into view from time to time. It is also possible to warp into a black hole, where the player has to take on a Klingon mothership.
The gameplay involves managing resources and shield strength while navigating through levels filled with enemy ships. The ultimate goal is to eliminate all enemies to progress to the next level, increasing the challenge as the game progresses.