Next Level uses only the most basic rules of soccer as a base for the game. There are four players on each side: 1 captain, 2 sidekicks, and a goalie. Players pass the ball, and shoot on net to score. Each aspect of the game undergos a Nintendo transformation. There are no fouls to speak of, instead tackling opposing players results in stealing the ball or releasing power ups. Power-ups come in the form of shells, bombs and other items that knock your opponents around or enhance your players' abilities. Pressing the B button shoots the ball, and holding the button down longer charges your shot, with enough charging you unleash a Megastrike shot that can shoot up to 6 balls at once.
Megastrikes are accompanied by a fancy animation and then launch the opposing player into a mini-game where all the balls fly at the screen and the player uses the Wiimote to guide their goalie's hand to block the incoming balls. Only the captain can launch a Megastrike, with the two sidekicks having special abilities of their own. Every character, captain and sidekick, has individual attributes, strengths and weaknesses, alongside a special power.
Aside from the aforementioned blocking mini-game use of the Wiimote's capabilities are limited. The only other Wiimote specific function is using a jerking motion of the Wiimote to launch harder tackles against the opponent. Regular tackles are performed using the push of a button.
Online play comes in two forms: a ranked match that has stat tracking with appropriate leaderboards; a casual match where you can play against friends. The online portion attaches to your Mii, meaning each Mii has their own friend code to
