Forgoing the simulation aspects found in traditional racing titles, Totaled! is an arcade-style demolition derby game where the object is simply to ram other vehicles until the player's car is the last one running. Three modes of play are available, including Career, Arcade, and Multiplayer. Career has players unlocking tracks and cars by completing certain game types, such as racking up a specific number of points while in an arena or surviving for certain duration of time.
As players unlock the eight arenas in the single-player game, they will reveal four special challenge arenas. These offer players a break from the demolition action by presenting a series of stunts or missions to accomplish within a time limit. Examples include jumping over 10 buses, knocking barrels into specially marked areas, or racing laps around a speedway. The eight demolition derby arenas range from snow-covered fields and dirt tracks to city streets and a football stadium. An additional four multiplayer arenas can also be unlocked, bringing the total number of courses to 16.
After players select their vehicle from the available models on a given stage, each individually rated in acceleration, speed, grip, weight, and toughness, they will enter the arena from a perspective behind the car. If a demolition event is selected, players will then try to eliminate the competition by slamming into rival vehicles as quickly as possible. Points are calculated depending on the severity and location of each hit, with bonus points awarded for spinning, rolling, or crushing a car. Performing stunts such as leaping off ramps or jumping through hoops will also net players points during competition.
Three types of cars from a roster of 12 are available to smash and crumple: hot rods, performance cars, and muscle cars. Each can be customized to a degree by selecting various pre-defined paint schemes before each event. While competing within an arena, each car will show the effects of collisions, with real-time damage resulting in dents, billowing smoke, sparks, and pieces flying off the vehicle. Players can also watch and save replays of each event, controlling the camera to show the best view of the action. Up to four players can crash into one another on a split-screen in an assortment of game variants.