Each level appears as a page in a story book with specific goals to complete. Each stage has three hidden diamonds to collect and one special objective, such as collecting a golden mushroom, avoiding or defeating all the enemies, or gathering a set number of coins, to complete. The main objective is to reach the golden star at the end of the levels. To do so, the player controls Captain Toad (or Toadette) through mazes, platforms and tunnels. Completed objectives are then checked on the storybook page, and a stamp appears once all objectives are met.
In some levels, Captain Toad rides a mine cart and the player must shoot at coins, blocks, enemies and treasures as the cart moves towards the golden star.