V-Rally 3 for GBA offers players the chance to race 1.6L (FWD) and 2.0L (4WD) machines in V-Rally Mode, V-Rally Cross and Time Trials. Success in the main event, V-Rally Mode, unlocks new teams, new and more powerful cars and new Specials (courses of about three miles running from point A to point B with an average running time of two and a half minutes). The V-Rally Cross is composed of ten events on closed circuits made up of five "license" competitions (two races each) of increasing difficulty.

Drivers sign contracts with various car manufacturers, including Ford, Citroén, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Renault, Peugeot, Opel, Fiat, and Volkswagen, and must meet certain conditions to earn renewals and advancement in career mode. In V-Rally Mode and Time Trial (solo and multiplayer), a Service Park area allows players to make repairs on body damage, mangled or lost bumpers, windshield cracks, suspension and brakes, change car settings, and scout out upcoming race segments.

Saved games record various data depending on mode, such as contracts, points, settings, and repairs in V-Rally Mode, unlocked licenses in V-Rally Cross, and race times in Time Trials. V-Rally 3 offers gameplay in English, Spanish, and French, and can be played by two players if both have game cartridges and one link cable, but is limited to only V-Rally Cross and Time Trials in multiplayer.