Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion is a fighting game which plays very similarly to the Super Smash Bros. series. Up to four players (human or CPU controlled) control a character and fight on a multi-tiered 2D stage. Players may use various items that appear randomly to get the fighting edge over their opponent. Additionally, the stage may use set elements in order to take out other players.
When players strike one another, glowing orbs will fall out of them. If players collect enough of these orbs, they will fill up their special meter that unleashes a powerful "Punch Time Explosion" attack against their opponents. For example, Dexter will summon one of his fighting robot suits and fire off devastating lasers.
In the XL version, fighting characters can team up with certain assist characters and do Synergy attacks. For example, Ben can team up with Fred Fredburger and light his flatulence using his Swampfire form for a devastating explosion attack.