The game seems to be set in the near future due to some of the highly advanced weapons systems but modern-day planes.

In Japan, the game is known as Aces: Iron Eagle III and is barely based on the film of the same name (as both involved aircraft).

Rather than a full-scale invasion, they propose a tactic of quick lightning strikes to take out specific systems vital to Don Gwano's militaristic regime.

Also there are minor differences in handling, the Harrier being notably easier to control during the first part of a mission where the player's view is from within the cockpit.

There are 13 different weapons (not including the fuel tank and machine gun), and some of these are available to all planes while others are plane-specific.