Highway Racer 3D is a racing game that challenges a player to drive as far as possible through traffic on a long stretch of highway in different types of weather. The player receives points and cash based on their total distance before a crash, near misses, distance above 100 km/hr, and amount of time driving successfully the wrong way.
The game allows the player to change the settings to low, medium and high graphics. The player can also use various image effects for a more realistic driving experience. Additionally, they receive $250,000 to upgrade to a better vehicle based on speed, handling and braking capabilities. They can also upgrade the vehicle's paint, tires and other parts, such as the engine, steering wheel and brakes, and add police siren lights, nitro and other special features. The cash balance automatically resets after each race, no matter the amount of the player's winnings.
Highway Racer 3D offers the player four unique racing modes (One Way, Two Way, Time Attack and Speed Bomb). In the first two modes, the player selects sunny, nighttime or rainy road conditions and attempts to simply not crash. With Time Attack, the player must try to drive as far as possible before 100 seconds elapse on a timer. With Speed Bomb, the game swaps their chosen vehicle with a bus that they can use to push other vehicles out of the way. If the red color on the bomb health meter disappears from the bar, the bus explodes and the race ends.
