FlatOut is an adaptation for the Wii that combines fast-paced racing with smashing opponents and destroying objects in the environment. It features four different game modes: Racing, Car Basher, Battle Arena, and Stunt. The game includes twelve tracks divided over four chapters, set in environments such as a busy financial district, industrial port, and villages in Southern Europe.
Racing is the main mode where players need to finish first or wreck all opponents to win. The cars have a health meter and a damage model with visual clues to their condition. In Car Basher, players choose from twelve available weapons like a baseball bat or crowbar, and aim to cause as much damage as possible to an opponent's car before time runs out. Battle Arena has environments similar to Destruction Derby with booby traps, ramps, loops, and fire for more destructive gameplay. The goal is to lure or push other cars into traps.
The game can be played locally in multiplayer mode through a split-screen. To control the cars, players hold the Wii Remote horizontally and tilt it to steer.