The player wanders around a variety of dream worlds as a little girl, dubbed Madotsuki by the game menu. The only objective is to search for new "effects", such as a kitchen knife which one can stab others with, a witch hat and broom which can be used to fly, the ability to grow cat ears, etc. The game has no dialogue or story, though it does have an ending which can be viewed when all the effects have been gathered.
On February 23, 2018, a 3D remake/reboot titled Yume Nikki Dream Diary was released on Steam.
