Socket played very similarly to Sonic the Hedgehog; so much so that it is often called a Sonic rip-off. Its sense of speed and platforming gameplay contributed to this thinking. In this game you had to collect energy (Represented by lightning bolts) which Socket consumed when he moved. This energy also served as the "life meter", rather like the golden rings in Sonic. The stages were named to reflect this fast paced gameplay. All the zones followed a three-act pattern, beginning with a fast-paced racing zone, followed by a more platformer-style area, and ending with a more puzzle-style labyrinth. Then came a boss battle.