The game uses the Super Famicom's Mode 7 to give the track and background perspective.
The player can choose to hide stats such as position in the race (in order to have an unobstructed view of the backgrounds).
In an import review for Mean Machines, Julian Rignall cited Exhaust Heat as "one of the most rewarding, enjoyable and long-lasting racing games around", although he noted that "there no trackside obstacles and the game has a rather sparse and empty feel about it."
Radion Automatic also praised the game, writing that "[e]ven non-race fans will be converted by this stunning release.
"[4] Writers for Famitsu called Exhaust Heat an "easy type of F-Zero".