Bonk's Adventure: Arcade Version

Bonk's Adventure: Arcade Version, while retaining many of the features from the console versions by Hudson Soft / Red, also takes its own liberties with the Bonk formula. Unlike previous games in the series, the player can, from the outset, choose from one of twenty-one stages. The seven boss stages, which too can be played in any order, are accessible after first clearing any three regular levels. Levels are short and linear in this version of Bonk, and far more focused on maximizing score; there's none of the vertical platforming or exploration found in the home versions. The game also features 2-player simultaneous play where the second player controls a female Bonk character.

Bonk has many of the same moves found in previous games. He can jump, headbutt enemies, climb walls with his teeth, and do a diving attack from the air. This latter attack though, unlike earlier games, no longer bounces off enemies but goes straight to the ground. Bonk also no longer has the ability to do multiple headbutts in the air, which gave him the ability to flutter to the ground more slowly. Unique to this version is the ability to collect 'smile bumpers' which stick to Bonk's head. In addition to the point bonus they give, they also can be used to enhance Bonk's attack while also deflecting incoming projectiles.

The arcade version of Bonk also features a ticket dispenser which can be turned on or off by the operator. If turned on, ticket icons will appear at various points throughout the game which the player can collect. These are stored in a ticket 'bank' which the player can choose to cash out at the end of a level. If the player chooses to pay out, the game ends there. If, however, the player fails to cash out before losing all their lives, all their accumulated tickets are lost as well.