Deca Sports features a number of different game modes:
Open Match: A quick start match that allows the player to immediately jump into any of the 10 available sport events.
Tournament Mode: Tackling one individual event to become the champion at that particular sport.
Deca League: Taking on a number of different teams at every sport available in the game.
Deca Challenge: Players test themselves at each sport in specialized events designed to hone their skill and control.[6]
Deca Sports does not feature the use of Miis. Instead, eight different teams (Average Joes, Speed Strikers, Hard Hitters, Crusaders, Boost Force, Mad Maidens, Team Thunder and Disco Knights) are available for selection in the various sporting events. Each team is made up of small, medium and large players of both genders. Small athletes are nimble, but are not too strong, while large athletes are powerful, but are slower and a little harder to control. Medium-size players provide a compromise between speed and strength. Team member size becomes more important during Deca League, where playing one team member for too long will result in fatigue and decreased performance.[6]
There are 10 different sports listed,[7] each of which having its own control scheme specific to the Wii Remote. For Beach Volleyball, the game controls the movement of the player and the teammates as the player pulls the Wii Remote to return and pass the ball to the opponent's side of the court. Different variations of serves and volleys can be performed.[7] In Figure Skating, the player uses the Nunchuk's analog stick to skate along three different predetermined routines which are tied to music. While navigating the skater along a line with yellow dots, large circles that differ in color type will appear. Once they enter those circles, shaking the Wii Remote will execute the maneuvers.[7]
Archery: The player holds down the B Button on the Wii Remote and pulls it back to draw the arrow, then aims with the pointer. The player must release the B Button within ten seconds to launch the arrow at the target.
Badminton: The Wii Remote is used as a racquet in this sport. The player must swing the Remote with good timing to return the shuttle towards the opponent, and can also control which way the shuttle goes by moving the Remote left or right after a downward swing.
Basketball: The player uses the Nunchuk's analog stick to move a player, while using buttons to pass to or control teammates and Wii Remote gestures to shoot or steal.
Curling: The player holds down the B Button, which causes a power meter to increase and decrease, before flicking the Wii Remote right at the moment the desired power level is reached to launch a stone down the ice. If the stone needs to coast further, the player shakes the Wii Remote to sweep the ice in front of the stone.
Football (soccer): The player uses the Nunchuk's analog stick to move a player, buttons to pass to or control teammates and Wii Remote gestures to pass and shoot.
Kart racing: The player holds the Wii Remote sideways as if it were a steering wheel and tilts it to steer while using the number buttons as pedals.
Snowboard cross: The player points the Wii Remote at the lower part of the screen to accelerate down the slopes, while twisting it left or right to steer and being careful not to over-turn and wipe out.
Supercross: Controls are similar to that of go-kart racing, but the player can also shake the Wii Remote to execute tricks or roll it backward or forwards to make a good landing after a jump.