Wave Race 64 is a jet-ski racing game where you aim to beat other competitors by navigating your jet-ski through courses marked with colored buoys. To gain an advantage, follow the red buoys on the left side and yellow buoys on the right side. Failing to do so will slow you down and lead to disqualification.
The game features various modes, including Warm Up (a training session), Time Trials (racing against time), Championship (a tournament with four difficulty levels), and Stunt Mode (performing stunts earns points). You can also play versus mode with a friend in two-player split-screen. Players can customize their racers by adjusting parameters such as grip, handling, acceleration, top speed, and collision stability.