The Death and Return of Superman is a beat `em up video game based on the Death of Superman storyline. It features many characters from the comics, including Superman himself, Superboy, The Man of Steel, The Man of Tomorrow, The Last Son of Krypton, and Doomsday. All of the five Supermen are playable characters at some point.

The gameplay is the standard "beat `em up" type, where the player controls a character that can move in all directions. A set number of foes will enter the screen and only after they are defeated can the character continue on the quest. Although different in appearance, each character has the same basic abilities: standard melee attacks (punches), grappling attacks (get close enough to character and attack), throws (holding the forward key and attacking), grab and throw upward (holding the "up" key and attacking), grab and throw backward (holding the "back" key and attacking), or grab and pummel (hold the "down" key and attack), a projectile attack, and an "ultimate" attack that destroys all standard enemies on the screen. Their attacks only slightly vary, mostly in range and appearance.

Each Superman has the ability to fly and can thereby avoid certain characters or obstacles using this ability. There are also characters that have the ability to fly and are thereby easier to defeat if confronted in the air. There are also certain areas and levels where flying is mandatory. Also, many obstacles can be passed only by flying. However, certain screens in which the character is on an elevated platform the flying ability is almost completely negated.