Characters have now 3 vehicles, with the exception of a few. New items have been included, as well as multiple new characters and stages. The races are faster, the stages are much longer and can change at certain segments during each lap. In terms of graphics and mechanics, the game is very similar to its prequel as it uses the same engine, with a few differences. When received enough damage by attacks or bumps, it will slow down and emit smoke and fire. This addition makes the stages more diverse and give more flexibility to the player's actions. When the racer approaches a segment of transformation, the player's stats glow and make a sound to signify that the player must press that button at that specific moment to transform. For example, the stages have various shortcuts, some of which require boat form, others requiring plane form etc. A major difference, however, is that in this game, the player decides the time when the vehicle transforms as well as the type of transformation, by pressing a button on the controller. The game brings back the three different modes of racing these are car, boat and plane. The player chooses a racer, a vehicle and a stage and race along with 11 other racers.
Like every other racing game, Sonic and SEGA Superstars Racing: Speed Showdown is a racing game which follows the footsteps of its predecessor.