Jetracer is a one or two player game, four with multitap, in which players compete in performing tricks on jet skis.
The game has three modes of play: Freeride, where players can practice anywhere; Extreme Trick, where players compete against each other at any location; and Rider Championship, where players compete in a series of matches at different locations with varying difficulty levels. The game features eight riders, four machines, and four locations, but there is no option to create your own rider or customize the machines.
Players take turns catching waves and performing tricks such as cutbacks, big 720°, and barrel riding. These are scored on difficulty and the best three scores are added together to determine the winner. Match times vary between ten and forty minutes, depending on the player's skills.