1 on 1 is a 1 on 1 basketball game played on half court with one basket only. The game is played over two rounds or until one of the contenders reaches 11 points. The players take turns being on the offense and the defense. If the player on defense successfully steals the ball from the offense player, they switch positions.
The gameplay is in full 3D, but the controls are more similar to a 2D game with no "depth" to the movement. This gives the game a unique feel that sets it apart from other basketball games.
There are eight different characters to choose from, each with their own special abilities and distinct looks. Players can pick the character that best suits their playing style.
The gameplay modes include a versus mode, where players can compete against either the computer or another human player. There is also a minigame section with various basketball-related mini-games to keep things interesting.