Cobra Command is an arcade conversion of a helicopter shooting game from Data East. It is an "on rails" style shooter with the player controlling only the aiming of the shooting but not the direction of the helicopter.
The story follows your mission to take down enemy forces as you fly through various locations, including New York streets, the Statue of Liberty, and Easter Island. Your objective is to destroy the enemy's stronghold while avoiding incoming fire.
Gameplay involves shooting down enemies as you navigate through short levels, with a total playtime possible in around 20 minutes. The game features no background music, relying on sound effects to enhance the experience.