Mashed is an action-packed top-down arcade-racer. On 13 tracks, you need all your driving skills to survive and make it to the finish as first with one of the four different cars available. From slow ones to really fast ones, each car has its own strengths. The single-player mode is where the game's challenges come into play. Completing bronze, silver, and gold challenges on every track unlocks the next track. These challenges are played in seven (or eight in multiplayer) game modes, including normal races, battles, and a survival mode.
To make things easier, there are nine power-ups and weapons scattered on the tracks that you can pick up. These include oil slicks, mines, and mortars to hinder your opponents, as well as equipment to protect yourself. Be careful, though - these items can also be used against you.
The true heart of Mashed is its split-screen multiplayer mode, which allows for up to four players to compete on one PC. You can play with friends or bots, and even leave spaces empty for a more relaxed experience. A new, multiplayer-exclusive game mode adds a twist to the classic capture-the-flag-style gameplay.
In this mode, the goal is to hold the flag and drive away from enemies as far as possible to earn points. The added bonus of helicopters with missile launchers means players have an extra layer of strategy to contend with - but this feature can be turned off for a more straightforward experience.