The show was produced by Merrill Heatter Productions.

Front game format

Two contestants (one blue, one red) competed against each other. A six celebrity panel was used, with each of them sitting in triangles. Ten numbers (1-10) surrounded the triangles (three on the top and bottom of them, four in the middle space). In Battlestars, the contestant in control would push a button on his/her podium to stop a flashing randomizer, and the number it stopped on determined what celebrity would play the question (if it stopped on a number that was attached to two celebs, the contestant picked which one to answer unless it meant a "capture"). The celebrity would be given two answer choices and had to choose which one was correct. The contestant would then agree or disagree, and if correct, the number would light up and the contestant would keep control, hitting the randomizer again. To "capture" a Battlestar, the contestant would have to light up all three numbers around a star (after which those numbers would be taken out of play).

The New Battlestars had almost a similar format, but instead of being lit, the numbers would be put out, and the contestant whom answered the last question correctly doesn't have to hit the randomizer again, instead he/she gets to choose a number verbally. Also, the audience in the studio and at home was shown the answer choices (the contestant never saw them).

The object for both games, either way, was to capture 3 Battlestars. Once a contestant did that, they won the game and $500, and advanced to the bonus round.

Bonus game format

Battlestars had a bonus game that Trebek called "The Battlestars Two Round." A famous celebrity face was completely hidden under 16 numbers. The winner of the game chose 3 cards, which Trebek would put in a scanner on his podium. After the three spots were revealed, the contestant had a chance to identify the celebrity. If successful, they won $5000. However, if they couldn't, they drew another card. If successful here, the contestant would win $3000. If after two tries the contestant failed, s/he asked the panel for help. If successful, $2000. If unsuccessful, the contestant drew one more card, and the value dropped to $1000. If the contestant still couldn't identify the celebrity, the round was over.

The New Battlestars had a round called the "Battlestars Bonanza." The winner and the three captured Battlestars (or 3 of the contestant's choice if more were captured) played three questions. This time, the questions had three choices, and the player was able to see the choices. Like the front game, the player had to agree or disagree with what the celeb gave as an answer. However, if the contestant correctly disagreed, s/he had to give the correct answer.

The first two questions were played for $500 each. If the contestant managed to survive all three questions, s/he won $5000 and a prize package, which would usually make the total bonus round worth $10,000 or more.