You have a typical RPG overhead view with many hilarious references to other popular games/movies/amines/you name it!
For the battles it uses Mother 3's Menu mechanics. For example, upon being hit, you don't immediately receive the damage, instead it slowly drops, so if you can defeat the enemy, it actually stops!
Battle Mechanics
Normal attacks- A normal damage inducing attack.
Bombs - Your basic magic attacks that use pp(psychic points)