So how does another 3D action game differentiate itself from the glut of others? In Tonic Trouble's case, the gameplay involves many more puzzle elements than most similar titles do, and not just "find the key" ones either. Unlike many other games, the puzzles do feel like they actually fit into the levels, rather than simply exist to slow the player's progress. In addition to solving mysteries within levels, Ed, the game's bizarre hero, acquires new abilities after he completes each level such as the ability to fly or shoot long-range weapons. Generally, Ed needs each upgrade unlock puzzles in the later levels, but he can also use them to re-explore old settings. Still, although Ed can discover previously inaccessible items with his new power-ups, most players probably won't feel compelled to do so.

Besides more puzzle-centered gameplay than most N64 platformers demand, Tonic Trouble's graphics also look nicer than many comparable titles. While not amazingly detailed, the brightly-colored worlds do create a pleasant overall atmosphere for the game. But perhaps best of all, the levels contain no fog, and the game still maintains a nice, smooth frame rate and low levels of draw-in. It's nice to see a game made by a company other than Nintendo or Rare that doesn't need such sacrifices to remain playable. Similar to the pastel-style graphics, the sounds consists of soft, sometimes barely audible music and voices.

Unfortunately, the number one problem of 3D platformers also hurts Tonic Trouble's overall quality, and that problem remains the ever-persistent, uncooperative camera. Although no game supports a trouble-free camera as of yet, Tonic Trouble's great number of narrow hallways and passages greatly magnify this already common glitch. The camera constantly runs into walls, or pushes Ed off ledges as it attempts to move to a better position. In a game with as many jumps as Tonic Trouble, the poor camera control translates into a lot of quick, cheap deaths.