The game is a simplified first-person combat flight simulator in which the player operates a F-18 Hornet for the United States Air Force, who have has confirmed reports of renewed hostile activity in the Balkans and order an aerial assault on the region.

The interface includes control panels, a heads up display to target enemies and a radar and landing system.

[4] F-18 Thunder Strike received unanimously negative reviews, with criticism of the game focused on the poor controls and slow pace of the gameplay.

[3] Writing for Hyper, Frank Day stated the game was "not a good idea", observing "the small screen and stiff digital controls" leads the player to "look for enemy planes for a long time before you see any action".

[5] Total Game Boy Color agreed, critiquing the "impersonal and slow" gameplay in which "nothing happens...you simply fly around for a while, shoot a plane or two if you're luck and then you turn it off".