In M. A. D., players try to defend their Photon Cannon and six energy stations from missile attacks, being a bit similar to Missile Command (2600) and Atlantis (2600).
The Cannon sits at the bottom center of the screen with three stations on each side. Enemy missiles start appearing, moving horizontally from one side of the screen to the other. Once a missile turns white, that means it is about to dive down to the bottom of the screen. Colliding with a station will destroy it and the game will end when the player has no more remaining stations. Colliding with the player’s Cannon will disable its firing capability for two seconds.
The player can aim the Cannon in seven positions to fire at incoming missiles. After several rounds, all missiles will be white from the instant they appear, not giving the player an advance warning as to which one will drop down to the bottom of the screen.