Phantom Fighter has you guiding Chinese martial artist Kenchi on an eight-level quest to cleanse villages of vampire-like creatures called Kyonshies. Joined by a trusted sidekick, who will carry items for you and offer comical observations, you will rid the world of Kyonshies through a furious combination of fists and feet. Each level consists of multiple buildings filled with Kyonshies to defeat and gems to collect. Basic moves include punching, kicking, jumping, and crouching. Additional martial arts attacks can be taught to your character, but only after finding the requisite number of ancient scrolls in each town. Such moves will allow you to move faster, jump higher, and perform more elaborate punches or kicks. Passwords provided at the end of each stage allow you to resume progress at a later time.