Players control either Optimus Prime, Red Alert or Hot Shot, who are able to transform between robot and vehicle modes at the push of a button. The game revolves around the collection of Mini-cons, which can be equipped to the Transformer. These include weapons, such as a pistol, support items, such as glider wings, and stat-enhancement, such as an armor boost, and, with the exception of the latter, can be controlled using the shoulder buttons. There is a limit to what Mini-cons can be equipped, which more powerful Mini-cons taking up a lot of space. The more of the same color Mini-cons equipped the stronger your character will be. This is referred to as Mini-con linking.