Snake Arena is a keyboard controlled game for up to three people. It is based on the classic Snake game in which the player(s) control a small snake which grows the more it eats. This game, however, introduces a competitive element as the player is competing with either other human players or against the computer.
In addition to this the game area contains multiple puzzle elements such as,
- speed up/slow down areas
- gates which open and close as the snake is passing over it chopping off pieces of its tail
- teleports
- tubes that allow the snake to pass between walled areas, some of these tubes only allow passage one way while others are coloured and the snake must be the right colour to use them.

The game has a single in-game help screen, more detailed help is available but this opens in a browser window. There is music, sound effects, a save/load feature and a high score table. In addition to the five level tutorial there are two sets of game arenas, 'Need For Eat' and 'Domination' both of which have twenty seven levels.