Unlike the Star Wars: X-Wing series that emphasizes space combat simulation, Rogue Squadron is a fast-paced, arcade-style flight action game.[5] Each of the game's 16 levels introduces mission objectives that must be completed to progress to the next level. These objectives are divided into four categories: search and destroy, reconnaissance, rescue, and protect.[3] Enemy aircraft are primarily composed of TIE fighters, TIE Bombers and TIE Interceptors. Ground defenses are more varied and include three different walkers, laser and missile turrets, tanks, probe droids, shuttles, stormtroopers, and speeder bikes.[6]
Gameplay is presented from the third-person perspective; a view from a craft's cockpit is available. The heads-up display features a health meter, a radar, and an ammunition count for secondary weapons.[7] The player can control five craft: X-wing, A-wing, Y-wing, snowspeeder and V-wing.[8] Each vehicle offers a unique armament arrangement, as well as varying degrees of speed and maneuverability.[9] The game initially restricts the player to a particular craft for each level; however, after a level is completed, it can be replayed with any available craft.[10] Levels set on non-atmospheric moons expose the player's craft to space; thus disallowing the speeder and V-wing (which are repulsorcraft) from being used; but as on other levels, the craft is vertically confined.[3] Nine bonus power-ups are hidden in different levels throughout the game. These bonuses improve a craft's weapons or durability and are applied to each eligible craft for the remainder of the game.[9]