Sunset Riders can be played by up to two or four players, depending on the version of the game. In the 2-player version each player can choose which of the four bounty hunters (Steve, Billy, Bob, and Cormano) to play as at the start of the game, while in the 4-player version each character is assigned to a different control panel. Steve and Billy wield revolvers, while Bob use rifle and Cormano use shotgun. The controls consists of an eight way joystick for moving the character and aiming their guns, and two buttons for shooting and jumping. The player can jump between higher and lower floors by holding the joystick up or down while pressing the jump button. There's also a slide move that allows the player's character to avoid enemy fire by pressing the jump button while the joystick diagonally downwards.