Gettysburg: Badges of Courage employs an innovative tactical combat game system. Infantry, Artillery, and Cavalry units are led by Division, Corps, and Army commanders in an epic struggle to control the strategic crossroads at Gettysburg. The game has a brigade-level order of battle.

All three days of Gettysburg can be played separately or together. Players can change the entry roads of divisions to surprise opponents and must maintain division and corps organization to be successful.