From the box lid:

Track down arch criminals with America's #1 detective.

Meet up with some of the most famous villains in comic strip history. FLATTOP... MOLE... MUMBLES... PRUNEFACE... VITAMIN FLINTHEART... THE BROW... SHAKEY... LITTLEFACE. Go after them all.

Start from HQ and track 'em down one by one...go in and out of hiding places...pick up cards trying to get 4 that match. There may be some dangers along the way, so watch out. The first player to get 4 matching Criminal Cards and enter that criminal's hideout with those cards wins the game.