Spider Fighter 3 is a top-down action shooter where players control a heavily armed spider-mech. The core gameplay involves using a virtual joystick for movement and responsive touch buttons to fire weapons, deploy drones, and activate special abilities against swarms of insectoid enemies.

Missions are completed in short, intense stages across various environments, with an emphasis on clearing waves of foes and defeating large bosses. Progression is tied to upgrading your mech's arsenal and defenses between missions, using resources earned in battle. The mobile experience is designed for portrait orientation, allowing for one-handed play.