Popeye: Rush for Spinach is set in the world of classic cartoon characters Popeye and Olive Oyl. While going out for a walk one day, Popeye and Olive Oyl were harassed by Bluto once again. Sick of their bickering, Olive decides to have a race to decide who will accompany her for a walk. Wimpy, lured with the promise of food, joins in on the action.
The gameplay is fast-paced and fun, with players choosing from four different characters: Popeye, Olive, Bluto or Wimpy. The objective is to navigate through each world and reach the finish line. Special power-ups are scattered across levels to give players an advantage, such as cars, pogo sticks, skateboards, rockets and even dinosaurs. Players must avoid hazards that slow them down and make progression more difficult.
The game features multiple modes of play, including Adventure Mode, which tells a story with each level, Versus Mode where players can compete against each other, and Time Trial Mode for those looking to beat their high score.