Gameplay follows a fun two-pronged approach: while picking up valuables around the house so they don't get stolen, you must at the same time carefully lay traps for the bandits, using everyday items in the house. Those who have never seen Kevin's resourcefulness in the movie aren't at a disadvantage, however: items that you can use or pick up flashes on the screen, and are easily distinguishable from background graphics. You don't have much time left before the bandits break into the house, so the first few minutes are crucial to success. The game suffers somewhat from the save-and-restore syndrome, since it will likely take many deaths (well, actually kidnaps) before you figure out the bandit's movement patterns and find the optimal way to lay traps. However, the game's colorful, smooth graphics and the fun of figuring new uses for household items more than surpass this weakness.

Once you have collected enough items from an area, a key will appear that will let you enter the basement for the final sequence and hilarious endgame. Overall, Home Alone is definitely one of the better movie adaptations I've seen, and a refreshing break from Capstone's typical crappy games (but then again, they didn't develop the game themselves...) Recommended, especially to fans of the movie.