The game uses a third-person camera behind the selected vehicle. In the campaign, the objective is to destroy rival vehicles in successive arenas while collecting weapons, health, and armor pickups.

Players steer, accelerate, brake, fire mounted weapons, and use each vehicle's unique special attack. Arenas contain ramps, tunnels, buildings, and hazards that can be used for positioning or escape. Progression comes from clearing battles and reaching the character-specific finale; there is also a two-player versus mode.

Keep moving and use arena geometry to break enemy attacks. Save powerful weapons and special attacks for opponents with low health or strong armor.

Collect health and armor whenever possible, and learn each arena's tunnels, ramps, and dead ends. Long-range attacks are safer against slow vehicles, while close-range attacks work best after forcing an opponent into a confined area.