The sequel to Q*bert, Q*bert's Qubes features the return of the round, orange, long-nosed fellow who likes to hop on qubes (cubes). Your objective is to color-match qubes in rows of five. Doing so will enable you to progress to the next round of play.
Unlike the playfield in the original game, which was composed of a pyramid made up of cubes, this game features several rows of qubes that are suspended in space. When you hop on the qubes, they don't simply change color -- they rotate. Depending on what level you are on, you must match up between one and three rows of qubes. In earlier levels, qubes will lock once you have rotated them into place. A target qube in the upper left portion of the screen lets you know what color your row of qubes needs to be.
As you work on your row (or rows), Meltniks, Shoobops, Rat-a-tat-tat, Sheldon the Turtle and Purple Ball will make your mission difficult. Some of the creatures can rotate the qubes while others simply get in your way. If you manage to grab a Green Ball, the enemies will temporarily freeze; if you run into Sheldon, the enemies will slow down. Also, you can knock Rat-a-tat-tat off the screen by tumbling a qube just before the rodent lands on it.
After certain levels you'll play a bonus round, which has Q*bert standing in place, rotating qubes underneath him, trying to get as many matches as possible before the timer runs out. ~ Brett Alan Weiss, All Game Guide