A prequel to Driver, the second Wii Driver game (developed specifically for this platform) is similarly based in San Francisco, but contains a specifically separate storyline to Driver: San Francisco. Featuring Detective John Tanner, the game follows his early years (1970s to 1980s) on the force. While still a uniformed police officer his partner is murdered in an unexpected drive-by shooting by Solomon Caine, an ambitious criminal who aims to disturb the fragile peace between the city's other gangs. With Tanner still a little green when it comes to undercover work, he's assigned back-up in the form of Tobias Jones, a more experienced cop. Tanner hits the streets as a gifted rookie and attempts to take down a crime syndicate controlling San Francisco’s underworld.

The game's story mode (built as a classic crime tale) has the player alternating between all three characters (thus told from the 3 perspectives): Tanner on his first undercover assignment is trying to find out who killed his partner; Tobias Jones (his partner) on the street gives back-up and chases leads; and Solomon Caine has a plan, but no one knows what it is.

The Wii version is a free-roaming action racing game in the vein of the original, does not include the other version's "Shift" mechanic, and allows players to use guns while driving. The player can drive numerous licensed cars across the open city of San Francisco, undertake various challenges and partake in an unlimited number of random chases, thanks to a consistent felony system. There is a total of 11 chapters that gives access to 30 story missions (race, chase or escape enemies, etc), 10 larger critical missions, 30 optional side missions and 58 unique awards linked to in-game activities. During the races, the opponents can either be taken down with melee attacks and in-car shoot-outs using a variety of weapons, or left behind with shunts and nitro boosts. Performing tricks and scoring awards are rewarded with points that, in turn, are used to upgrade weapons in various categories.

Multiplayer modes in offline split-screen allow up to 4 players, with game variants like Capture The Flag, Pass The Bomb, Gold Rush and Elimination, and a cops and robbers split-screen mode. At the same time, the drop in/out multiplayer co-op in story mode allows a buddy to help by taking control of a weapon.

This version of Driver: San Francisco also features Nintendo DS/DSi/3DS connectivity through download play, that can be used as a guide, weapon, make road blocks, look for police, or buy player 1 some more time through various mini games.