Roller Coaster Rush is a clicker-style run game that features a job-management element. The player's only goal is to guarantee that customers on a roller coaster make it to the end of each run safely with smiles on their faces. They must move the roller coaster forward and control its speed and braking on the tracks while navigating inclines, loop-de-loops, twists, turns and sudden drops.
The player can't control steering or any other aspect of the game except forward momentum and speed. Each time they directly interact with the screen on the run, the roller coaster speeds up. When they stop the interaction, it slows rapidly and even stops or rolls backward. If they speed too quickly, the cars start to overheat and catch fire. The train can explode and kill the customers.
Roller Coaster Rush requires a player to have excellent hand-eye coordination. They must also ignore the impulse to "race" the cars toward the end of the tracks, even though the prompts to slow down feel unnatural at times. They must follow the onscreen instructions nearly perfectly to win. If they do well, they receive cash from bonuses related to reaching the finish line, protecting the customers, and making them happy. The game displays their happiness as emojis during the run.
The player can improve the outcomes by leveling up equipment (cooler), customers and income. That said, they must watch advertisements.
