Mr. Gimmick!

and gameplay Gimmick! is a platform game that places the player in control of a small green creature named Yumetaro . The story begins during an unnamed young girl's birthday. Her father is normally busy with work, but he is able to spend time with her family for the special occasion.

Earlier, he had gone to the store to purchase a new toy for his daughter. Yumetaro had been wandering the toy store and became confused when her father came in. He hid with stuffed toys that looked like him, but was picked up by the girl's father. When the girl opens the Yumetaro gift, she is delighted.

Yumetaro becomes the girl's favorite, and so her other toys no longer feel loved. One night, the toys come alive and take the girl to another dimension. The only one left is Yumetaro, who follows the toys in search of her. The player, as Yumetaro, must venture into the alternate dimension to rescue his new owner.

The player character can jump and spawn stars above the horn on his head. The star is a central mechanic to the game, being necessary to defeat enemies found while also doubling as a platform, capable of being ridden to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. The player must make their way through six stages and six bosses to complete the game. Once the sixth boss is defeated, it is revealed that the girl is still missing and the game restarts from the beginning.

To complete Gimmick! , the player must find a hidden area in each stage where a magic item resides. If all magic items are collected without using a continue , a secret stage appears in which an extra boss must be beaten. After this boss is defeated a cutscene is shown depicting Yumetaro rescuing his owner and leading her back to the real world.