D-Force is a top-down scrolling shooter for the Super Nintendo console. Players control a helicopter as it fights its way through several levels against enemy aircraft, animals, or other helicopters. As players defeat enemies, they can obtain power-ups that upgrade their standard weapon or equip them with homing missiles. The game features an "exploration mode" where players are attacked by animals instead of aerial threats.
Gameplay in D-Force involves navigating through increasingly difficult levels while avoiding enemy fire and using the helicopter's weapons to destroy targets. Players can switch between a standard shooting mode, which allows for precise targeting and quick reflexes, or an "exploration mode" where the focus shifts from destruction to evasion as players navigate through areas infested with animals.