The game includes a plotline separate from that of either Bad Boys film but which incorporates the film's tones of comedy and buddy cop action. Taking place across five levels or "acts", Bad Boys: Miami Takedown lets players kill and disarm enemies and includes early examples of both a cover system and a morality system. The morality system takes the form of a meter which appears on the HUD throughout the game and ranks the player on a scale from "Bad Boy" to "Perfect Cop" depending on how lawfully the player completes missions. The cost of the collateral damage the player causes during missions is also tracked. Completing the game multiple times unlocks various "cheats" such as exploding enemies and decapitation.
