The seven most powerful races of the galaxy are engaged in a ruinous war. Perhaps inspired by an ancient Star Trek episode, they have agreed to give control of the galaxy to the winner of the BattleSphere tournament. Each race sends its best pilots, ships, and experimental new weapons to the Battle Sphere, a contained area of space formerly used by Earth for testing new weapons and capital ships.
There are five available play modes in BattleSphere, including a free-for-all for up to 16 players (if eight Jaguar consoles are linked) and "Alone Against the Empires," a mode similar to the classic Star Raiders. Six different weapon types, from lasers to base bolts, are available to pilots. Each race has three playable ships (fighters, bombers, and superships), plus two ships (capital and base) only controllable by the computer. Secret races and secret ships are rumored to exist.