Starting the game:

• The user is presented with a series of setup screens.
• The user can choose a game type (single-player, two-player, or network game), or enter the Settings menu.
• The player chooses a course to play on.

Customizing settings:

• The user can customize controls, change video settings, and customize color schemes.

Single-player game:

• The screen is divided horizontally. The player's main view is in the top half, and a cinematic camera operates in the lower half.
• The player uses the keyboard (or mappable gamepad) to control the kart.
• The player races three karts controlled by an AI.

Two-player game:

• The screen is divided horizontally. The first player's view is in the top half, and the second player's view is in the lower half.
• The players use a single keyboard or two mappable gamepads to control the kart.
• The players race each other and two additional karts controlled by an AI.

Network game

• The user can set up a network game. This game becomes visible to anyone browsing the network.
• The user can chat, find games, and join an existing network game.
• Up to four players can connect to the same game.
• The players race each other and additional karts controlled by an AI.

Racing

• The player can accelerate, reverse, and turn the kart to the left or right to navigate the course.
• When the player touches an Item sphere, he gains a projectile, which can then be fired at other karts.
• When the player collides with a wall or another kart, his kart bounces away and spins a little bit.
• The HUD tells the player the official time, the player's rank, a map of the course, and any current projectile.

Winning

• Each race is conducted individually. The winner of the race is the first kart to cross the finish line.