Sanrio Carnival is a Gameboy title reminiscent of Columns and Dr. Mario, where Hello Kitty and her associates are portrayed. The game requires the player to align three, four, or five identical block objects horizontally or vertically. The interface provides three distinct single-player game modes, each with its own objectives, and the facility to select a music track and block theme. A competitive two-player mode is also included.
Sanrio Carnival plays in the style of Columns and Dr. Mario, but features Hello Kitty and her friends. The player must match block objects of the same type in a horizontal or vertical row of three, four of five. The menu allows the player three different single-player styles of game which determines what goal must be met as well as options to choose a music track and theme of the blocks. There is also a two-player versus mode available.