Wastelands is a futuristic one-on-one fighting game where combatants face off with laser swords. By combining directional and fire buttons, players can perform various actions such as jumps, rolls, kicks, or sword strikes. Hits score points, ranging from half a point to one and a half points depending on the attack. The first fighter to reach six points wins the round. The game features a single-player mode with adjustable difficulty levels and a two-player mode.