Mickey's Speedway USA features various characters from the Mickey Mouse universe racing in karts to complete three laps around a track as quickly as possible. Scattered along each track are tokens that increase racers' maximum speed, boosters which will give racers a quick burst of acceleration, and items that can be used to interfere with opponents, such as baseballs and paint cans.[1] The Nintendo 64 (N64) version features gameplay similar to Rare's previous N64 racing game Diddy Kong Racing (1997), while the Game Boy Color (GBC) version uses the same isometric perspective as its predecessor, Mickey's Racing Adventure (1999).[2][3]
Both versions of the game include a Grand Prix mode, a time trial mode, and multiplayer racing modes.[1][3] Each Grand Prix is playable at three difficulty levels; earning a gold trophy for each one will unlock new characters, cheats and other features.[4] The N64 version includes a practice mode and a multiplayer battle mode with four arenas,[5] while the GBC version includes "driving school" tutorial missions and a gallery of unlockable images, which can be printed out using the Game Boy Printer.[6]
The game features 20 different race tracks spread across five Grands Prix, all themed after famous American cities and locations such as Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and the Grand Canyon.[5] The selection of tracks differs between versions.[6] The final Grand Prix can only be unlocked in the N64 version by finding four vehicle parts hidden in different race tracks.[5] An additional bonus track can be unlocked in the N64 version via a cheat code and in the GBC version by connecting to a copy of Mickey's Racing Adventure via the system's infrared port.[6]
Six playable characters are included in both versions of the game. These default characters are paired in statistics: Mickey and Donald have average statistics, Minnie and Daisy focus on handling and acceleration, and Goofy and Pete have a concentration in speed and weight.[7] Three additional characters, consisting of Dewey, Louie, and Ludwig Von Drake, can be unlocked in the N64 version through completing objectives in Grand Prix mode;[8][9] a fourth character, Huey, can only be unlocked by connecting to the GBC version through the Transfer Pak.[10]
