The game's title and general aesthetics draw from the original Radirgy, though this game makes several departures from the traditional arcade format of its forebear. Radirgy Swag consists of a single continuous run with endless enemies (under certain circumstances) and no bosses or rigid stage transitions whatsoever. Also, this game features an energy meter that depletes over time and upon being hit by enemy attacks (but can be replenished with items), instead of the traditional lives system.