The game sees players racing slot cars against an opponent across four circuits, each with several track configurations.

The game features a number of slot cars to choose from, each with different attributes in acceleration, speed and grip, with additional cars unlockable as they progress through the game.

The game features very simple controls, with players only using the A button on the Wii Remote to make their slot car accelerate and letting it go to slow down.

The skill in playing the game comes from determining when to slow down around corners so the player's car doesn't fly off the track, and when they should use their limited turbo boosts during the race.

Nintendo Life thought Family Slot Car Racing was an accessible game but suffered from bare-bones presentation and believed its inherent faithfulness to the hobby may limit its audience.