Editing Plok! (section)

== Gameplay ==
[[Image:SNES Plok ScreenShot 3.png|thumb|left|The first level of Cotton Island]]
''Plok!'' offers two [[difficulty mode]]s: "Normal," which includes the entire game, and "Child's Play," which removes the harder stages and reduces both the speed and hit points of enemies.{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=5}} Players can earn "[[Continue (video games)|Plokontinues]]" by collecting four P-L-O-K tokens, with one token awarded for completing a level without losing a life. If a Game Over occurs, the player restarts with a score of 0, three lives, and at the most recent Plokontinue checkpoint.{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=6}} [[Saved game|Saving]] is limited to two "Permanent Continue Positions," which are unlocked after defeating the Bobbins Brothers and Rockyfella bosses. These allow the player to resume from specific points even after resetting the game.{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=6}} The game does not include a [[password]] feature.

Plok can launch any of his four [[limb (anatomy)|limb]]s—two arms and two legs—as projectiles to attack enemies.{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|pp=4, 16}} If a limb hits an enemy, it returns immediately to Plok, but if it misses, it takes longer to come back.{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=27}} Limbs can pass through specific obstacles, such as rock pillars.{{Sfn|Bro' Buzz|1993|p=108}} However, Plok cannot fire limbs while somersaulting.{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=27}} In later levels, certain puzzles require Plok to "sacrifice" a limb to activate scenery-changing switches. When a limb strikes a target, it is placed on a [[clothes hanger|hanger]] near the switch.{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=16}} Some targets require specific limbs, and when Plok loses all his limbs, he moves by bouncing, which makes him harder to control.{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=27}}

Plok's secondary attack, the "Speed Blade," is a [[buzzsaw]]-like move that enhances his speed and delivers maximum damage to enemies.{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=17}} He can collect shells, which grant extra lives and serve as [[ammunition]] for a special [[amulet]] obtained partway through the game. The amulet converts shells into energy for his secondary attack.{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=17}} Players can also find "Magic Fruits," which heal Plok's health. The more he punches a fruit, the larger it grows, restoring additional health.{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=18}} Rare "Golden Fruits" fully replenish his energy.{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=18}} In certain stages, some fruits transport Plok to bonus areas where he must complete timed challenges or collect all shells to progress. Successfully completing these sections may allow Plok to skip certain levels or boss fights.

"[[Presents]]" temporarily transform Plok into characters inspired by his favorite movies,{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|pp=17, 20}} such as "[[Rocky (film series)|Plocky]]," which equips him with [[boxing gloves]];{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=20}} "Vigilante Plok," a [[flamethrower]]-wielding character resembling the "[[The Exterminator|Ploxterminator]]";{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=20}} the [[Deerstalker]]-wearing "[[Squire]] Plok," armed with a [[blunderbuss]];{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=21}} "Cowboy Plok," a gun-slinging character inspired by westerns;{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=21}} and "Rocket Plok," equipped with multiple [[rocket launcher]]s.{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|p=21}} Presents found in the Fleapit grant access to high-tech, futuristic [[vehicle]]s equipped with weapons. These include a [[unicycle]] with a water cannon, an "off-road truck" with a rocket launcher, a [[jetpack]] with lasers, a [[motorbike]] armed with grenades, a [[tank]], a bomb-dropping [[helicopter]], a [[flying saucer]] with plasma cannons, and a pair of [[Spring steel|spring]] pogo shoes.{{Sfn|Tradewest|1993|pp=22–25}}

Players face various enemies throughout the game, including the recurring fleas. In most levels (excluding Cotton Island, Legacy Island, and Fleapit), Plok must eliminate all fleas to complete the stage. The final flea in each level drops a flag, which levitates to its flagpole, signaling that the player can proceed.