Twisted Metal is an arena combat game for PlayStation 3, where players engage in chaotic vehicular battles against multiple opponents. Participants select from 12 unique vehicles, each associated with a distinct driver and special weapon. Players navigate expansive arenas filled with item pickups and hazards, culminating in a showdown against the reigning champion, Darkside, who wields powerful firepower.
Twisted Metal consists of a series of arena-based battles against an increasing number of opponents in increasingly large arenas. These battles culminate in a face-off with the winner of the previous year's competition, Darkside, who drives a large armored car which fires multiple missiles at once.
Players can choose one of 12 different vehicles with which to enter combat. Each vehicle has a distinct driver and special move. The controls consist of accelerator, brake, `tight turn` (essentially a handbrake) and turbo on the face buttons, with main weapons and machine gun selection and control on the shoulder buttons.
Arenas are populated with weapon pickups to re-supply missile stocks, repair stations for repairing damage to your car, pedestrians, and course stewards armed with either machine guns or missile launchers.