In Pokémon Team Rocket Blast Off, players control the main protagonists from the cartoon program, Ash and May, as they try to catch Pokémon being tossed out of Team Rocket's hot-air balloon. The mouse is used to move the characters, who are standing at the bottom holding an outstretched blanket. Catching a Pokémon fills up the meter, but sometimes Team Rocket will toss a sandbag, which lowers the meter. Upon filling the meter, Team Rocket is sent blasting off in their balloon.