Mario Sports Mix is a collection of over-the-top arcade-style sports simulations based on characters from the Mario franchise and other Square Enix properties. The games include volleyball, hockey (both field and ice), dodgeball, and basketball in various modes. Power-up items give advantages to the team that attains them, adding an extra layer of excitement to each match.
The game features Exhibition mode, where up to four human players compete in individual matches, and Tournament mode, where up to three players play matches in a tournament structure with different difficulty levels. Each game also has its own unique party games based on the sport's mechanics.