Harlem Globetrotters: World Tour is a 2-on-2 basketball game where the player controls the Harlem Globetrotters as they face off against teams from around the world.[1] Quarters last 1–3 minutes.[1] The game has two modes: Quick Match and World Tour.[2] The "Quick Match" mode allows the player to select a team and choose two players with no difference in gameplay between them.[1] In "World Tour" mode, the player controls the Harlem Globetrotters as they play against 50 fictional teams from across the world.[2] The Game Boy Advance version of the game requires password inputs to keep track of progress instead of using saved games.[2]
During the game, the player can switch manually between controlling one of their two players, or can pass the basketball to automatically switch.[1] The players can sprint, but are limited in duration by a stamina bar.[1] The R button on both the Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance versions allows for "basket targeting" which allows the player to change which basket they're aiming at (although there is only one basket).[1] The game does not have the Washington Generals at all, even though the team has been the traditional rivals of the Harlem Globetrotters for over 50 years.[1]