* Command one of five different civilizations: the Britons, Franks, Mongols, Saracens, and Japanese.

* Take control of special 'Hero' units like Richard the Lionheart, Robin Hood, Joan of Arc, Genghis Khan, and Saladin among others who command special 'hero' powers affecting the entire battlefield.

* Command over 45 different types of units from bowmen and monks to hand cannoneers, mercenaries and samurai.

* Turn-based combat, new to the Age of Empires franchise, keeps the battle moving at the player-preferred pace.

* Players construct & upgrade buildings like town centers, mines, universities and 'wonders' to help units learn new skills and create resources for their civilizations.

* Players research over 50 different technologies like chemistry, ballistics, siege craft and spying among others to take their civilization into the next age.

* Get help from the new Combat Advisor who provides advice on certain campaign strategies and an indication of how the battle willgo.

* Multiplayer scenarios allowing up to 4 players to battle each other wirelessly.

* Gain Empire Points to unlock maps & units and improve Emperor Rank.

* Original music and sound effects from top-selling PC version.

* Based on Ensemble Studio's PC mega-hit, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings.