What began as a border dispute has escalated to a frightening global conflict. Only an army commanded with precision and cunning could bring the seemingly endless war to a close.

The video game press has already taken note of Battalion Wars. Matt Casamassina, editor for IGN.com, said, "there is a strong strategic element to the experience: gamers who don't think, plan attacks and manage their units will not win." A player's line of attack will directly affect the outcome of missions, while using the battlefield map is not only key to success, it's straightforward and easy to access. Players strategize with earnest as they station defense forces along a ridgeline, perform recon on the enemy with a scout team or charge headlong into the breach. Battalion Wars is "a refreshing change from the non-stop supply of gritty war games on the market … Kuju and Nintendo deliver GameCube owners the sleeper hit of the season," said Casamassina.

Each mission can be approached with different tactics. Players have the ability to attack stealthily or just hop into a tank and charge. The freedom to compete in any way the player chooses is the very self-government that will bring freedom to the feuding nations.