Released in 1991 on the NES and 1993 on other formats, the first game in the series laid the foundation of the gameplay: a top-down racing game with miniature vehicles. The race tracks are unconventionally themed. For example, some races take place on a billiard table while others occur in a garden. The cartridge itself was gold (black in Europe) with a switch at the bottom in order to be compatible with the American and European hardware. It was also released as an add-on to the Aladdin Deck Enhancer created by Codemasters.

The game was ranked the 14th best game of all time by Amiga Power, while Mega placed the game at #10 in their Top Mega Drive Games of All Time.MegaTech gave the game 92% and a Hyper Game award.

Micro Machines 2 featured cars that require different handling techniques for each course and also hovercraft and helicopters. There are different playing modes including "head-to-head", in which each player earns points by driving a full screen ahead of the opponent. The PC version featured a track editor.

A selling point for the Sega Mega Drive versions was the J-Cart, a cartridge including two control ports, thus eliminating the need for a 4-player adaptor. It also included a 'pad-sharing' feature which allowed 2 players to share a single joypad; thus it enabled 8 players to compete simultaneously, on certain tracks.

The Game Boy versions of the first two games were combined into Micro Machines 1 and 2: Twin Turbo in 2000 for the Game Boy Color.

The 93% review in Mega described the game as "multi-player fun at its best".

TV presenter Violet Berlin features as a playable driver.

Only released in Europe, Australia and New Zealand for the Sega Mega Drive, this was an updated version of Micro Machines 2 that featured new tracks combined with some updated tracks from Micro Machines 2. It also featured a track construction kit previously included with the PC version of Micro Machines 2. The game was developed by Supersonic Software Ltd (DOS, Mega Drive version).

Only released in Europe, Australia and New Zealand for the Mega Drive, Micro Machines Military features all new tracks and military vehicles. These vehicles feature weapons enabling the player to attack opponents. The game is intended to run on a PAL console and although playable, will run faster than intended if played on an NTSC system. The game was developed by Supersonic Software Ltd.

Micro Machines V3 featured 3D-graphics and 8-player multiplayer matches. It was released in March 1997 for the PlayStation and later in 1998 for PC. It featured circuits in different areas of the household and had multiple weapons; it also included the controller share multiplayer option. The PlayStation version would eventually go on to become a Platinum title in the PAL Region.

Micro Machines 64 Turbo is a port of Micro Machines V3 for the Nintendo 64, with added extras.

Up to 8 people can play simultaneously using what is called Pad Share, where one person uses one side of the controller, steering with the Directional pad, while the other player uses the four C-buttons. The vehicles accelerate automatically in these modes. An official micro machines vehicle was packaged with each copy.

Micro Maniacs is a racing game that takes an unconventional step considering it a near spin-off as part of the series by replacing the vehicles by running characters, though they occasionally use vehicles for certain tracks, such as jet-skis, skate-boards or even bees. It also features 3d graphics and up to 8-player multiplayer games. The 12 available characters each have different special attacks.

This version featured advanced graphics as well as characters having unique vehicles. Though it adhered as closely as possible to the original formula, something was said to have been 'lost in the translation'. This may be because it is the only Micro Machines game not published by Codemasters, but instead by Atari.

The true sequel to V3 features over 25 tracks, 750 vehicles and a track editor, although the track editor is not present in the PSP or DS versions. Tracks also feature new settings such as a supermarket or swimming pool. The game was developed by Supersonic Software Ltd.