Notes are found in some larger cabins leading the player to other notes in other locations, eventually leading to new items. Upon lighting all fireplaces, a flashlight and torch weapon are available. Players may light the fireplaces inside of larger cabins. When inside a cabin Jason will attack the player in a way reminiscent of the video game Punch-Out!!. Upon nearing Jason's location, Jason may appear on the path or in the lake and attack the player.

If they do not make it there in time, Jason will kill the counselors or some of the children.

Using the map, players must navigate their way to Jason's location or switch to the counselor being attacked and defeat him. A timed alarm appears at certain intervals, requiring players to find Jason before he kills one or more children or another counselor. Players may upgrade their weapon upon finding a new one. Along the paths, players will find cabins, a lake, caves and wooded areas with all but the cabins having enemies such as zombies, crows, and wolves attacking the player. The goal is to find and defeat Jason Voorhees three times.

The counselors start with an arcing rock attack. Players control one of six camp counselors (each with varying levels of speed, rowing and jumping ability) in a side-scrolling perspective.

Friday the 13th game