MadWorld is a stylish action beat-em up game that puts player in the role of a police detective gone rogue and taking part in a violent TV show. In this twisted world, contestants are encouraged to mutilate each other in increasingly violent and gruesome ways.
The game's unique presentation is achieved through a three-colour palette scheme, with environments, objects, and characters rendered in black and white, and only red used for the gallons of blood flowing from the victims. The game's hosts comment every event happening in the game, adding to its over-the-top atmosphere.
The core of the MadWorld experience is a series of challenges that player must take part in. Each challenge presents a confined arena, where player should score points by defeating enemies in the most elaborate way possible and completing Bloodbath-Challenges with additional rules and timed mini-games for racking up points.
The game features heavy use of quick time events alongside Wii motion-sensitive controls for finishing moves, mini-games, and general tasks, such as avoiding being hit by enemy attacks.