Certain items such as boat skins can only be unlocked by completing specific tasks in a race. Good results are rewarded with trophies, and credits used to unlock new boats and races. In the main racing mode players race fifteen opponents. While boost is equipped it is possible to jump to reach higher areas. Enabling boost takes a few seconds after picking up an item, as the engines need to be transformed. Different types of boost power-ups provide additional speed and they can be combined for even more speed. Additional depth is provided through a boost system. Instead there is a slipstream drafting system where boats in pursuit can gain speed by following the tracks of opponents in front.
There are no weapons and the effect of the hull from the first game that allowed the player to smash other boats out of the way, has been removed collisions only slow the boats down and they cannot take damage except when hitting explosive barrels (instant death and respawn). There is no premise players race on eight tracks filled with hazards, breakable objects, shortcuts, jumps, tunnels, and events such as police boat chases or a giant sea monster rising from the depths. It is the sequel to Hydro Thunder from more than ten years earlier and although it is done by a different development team, it pursues the same arcade-like gameplay with a cheesy announcer. Not an American user? Description Hydro Thunder Hurricane is a futuristic boat racing game.