While the player does have a health bar, it is similar to Super Smash Bros. There are multiple modes of battles, including the basic Battle Royale, where players fight to knock their opponents off of the arena which is reminiscent of sumo, and a capture the flag mode in which players attempt to obtain an egg. The three types of bio-power focus on eliminating one enemy, damaging multiple enemies, and affecting the field respectively, and there are multiple kinds for each type. The player can set three different types of bio powers (special attacks) to be used in a battle, which can be used by pressing the L or R button and tapping one of three options using the stylus when the bio-power gauge is filled. Players control their creature in both the overworld mode and battle mode via touchscreen and attack by using the directional pad or the A, B, X, Y buttons though there is an option to have the Directional pad control movement. The main battle mode takes place on a top down arena.
The player's job is to enter and fight the champion to obtain the evil red fragments. Once the player gets all four a battle can be started with specific creature at the front of the champion's arena. These missions can vary from being a bodyguard, racing, and arena battles. On each planet there are four blue shards to collect by doing certain missions or jobs assigned to the player by the creatures that inhabit that world. Spore Hero Arena allows the player to move around an overworld with elements of exploration and puzzle solving.