Aces of War is a historical flight combat sim set in the Pacific Theater of World War II, which presents a number of "what if?" scenarios based on famous battles and campaigns such as Bougainville, Wake Island, and Iwo Jima. The game features many Japanese aircraft, including the A6M Zero fighter plane, as well as American planes like the P-40 Warhawk and F4F Wildcat. There are a total of 40 different aircraft from both sides available to fly.
The game is set on a realistic end of the simulation spectrum, with each of the 15 missions having numerous objectives. These can include attacking air or ground targets, bombing strategic targets, or protecting friendly units or bases from enemy attack. In addition to the mission mode, there are also training and versus modes for two players.