Bonkers: Wax Up! is a platform game for the Sega Game Gear where players control Bonkers as he navigates various levels in search of seven pickle clues. Players can utilize a compass for guidance, run, jump, duck, and slide. Throughout the game, Bonkers collects health-restoring items, encounters friends who lead to bonus levels, and rides a mine cart to gather additional items while seeking pieces of the Toon Toaster.
In this platform game, the player controls Bonkers through several levels where he must find 7 pickle clues. By pressing the pause button, a compass is shown, with the number of remaining clues and the direction of the next one. Bonkers can run (by holding button 1), jump (button 2) , duck and slide (by running and pressing the opposite direction on the d-pad).
Bonkers will find several items to restore his health (like cups of coffee, donuts, slices of pizza and badges) as well as some bonus items. He'll also find some of his friends, like Marylin, who'll show him the way to bonus levels, where he must find pieces of the Toon Toaster. In these bonus levels, Bonkers will ride a mine cart in a rail course, trying to collect items.