To begin, you play as the pilot for the Temporal Command, an organization devoted to clearing the time stream of evildoers. On the to-do list, as in the original Wingnuts, is Baron Von Schtopwatch, German amalgam of the Red Baron and Benny Hill doing an accent. On his side: a cadre of devoted and devious hench-pilots, backed up by a giant horde of robot planes, helicopters, zeppelins, and assorted ground units. On your side: an increasing number of available aircraft of different specializations, upgradeable and selectable at any time.

There are over 30 levels in all, each with varying objectives, ranging from "destroy all enemies" to "eliminate the strategically-important hunk of machinery". It's easy to skip over the voice-over briefing of each level, but if you do that you might miss the objective and wander the level, cleared of all enemies, wondering why you can't get to the next stage.

All of your jets have the same controls: turn left and right; an afterburner that lets you fly slightly faster but burns up more fuel than normal flight; a strafe; airbrakes; and a couple of trick maneuvers -- a loop that you can use to escape enemy fire, and a roll that allows the same. These special maneuvers are only usable when the red gauge in the lower-left bar is full. This gauge refills after enough time has elapsed between uses.

Each of your jets have a set number of upgrade slots, and you choose which jet you want to use at the start of each level. You can land on your aircraft carrier at any time to switch out your current jet for any others that you have available. Some are better dogfighters, others better bombers -- it's up to you to decide which to use for each level. As you progress through the levels, defeating enemy bosses makes more advanced jets available. These later jets can also be equipped with lock-on missiles.

Powering up your jets is done by the acquisition of random, floating upgrades. You can upgrade your jet's firepower, bomb strength, and missile strengths. Other power-ups replenish your shields and fuel and confer one-time temporary functions: invincibility, time stop, escort fighters, a barrage of flaming missiles, smart bomb, and more, including Super Mecha Mode, which turns your jet into a giant patchwork version of itself, with concomitantly larger bombs and firepower.

These floating power-ups are destructible, which adds to the hectic nature of the game. When you're flying around, trying to destroy enemies that are swarming you from every angle, it's far too easy to take out a much-needed power-up as well. Some power-ups are also gained by destroying ground units, such as mobile tanks and laser emplacements. If you don't land your bomb square in the middle of these units, the unit will take damage and begin to smoke, but they won't explode, necessitating a return visit.