The game is a scrolling shooter which bears striking similarities to Star Fox for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super Famicom). The player controls Spike Spiegel's Swordfish II from a third person perspective. Each level involves chasing another ship (the bounty head) along a set track through different environments, while enemies attack. Each stage ends with a boss battle. Between stages, bonus points earned can be spent to purchase upgrades for the ship. These upgrades include faster speed, more powerful ammo, and better defensive shields.