Players play a Chuck E Cheese night shift employee trying to survive till sunrise in Night Shift at Chuck E Cheese. In a dimly lit family entertainment complex, players must walk through rooms, acquire things, and avoid animatronic characters who come alive at night.
Night Shift at Chuck E Cheese begins when the player enters the arcade and goes to security. An instructional message outlines nightly chores and warns of dangers. The player then searches for keys and tapes while the animatronics roam the building. The player must stay alert and complete each assignment in order, creating tension.
Players must return to the office to use the blast doors and find the VHS tape access code after collecting the essential goods. As John pursues, mobility becomes riskier. The player must recall safe paths, respond fast to startling appearances, and manage time to reach the emergency exit. Any error can mean starting afresh in Night Shift at Chuck E Cheese.