Summary
- Release Year: 1982
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Apple II, Arcade, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, Atari 8-bit, ColecoVision, Commodore C64/128/MAX, Commodore VIC-20, Family Computer, FM-7, MSX, NEC PC-6000 Series, Nintendo Entertainment System, PC-8800 Series, Sega Master System/Mark III, SG-1000, Sharp X1, Thomson MO5
- Publishers: Atari Corporation, Brøderbund Software, Coleco, Creative Software, Jaleco, Sega Enterprises, Ltd., Soft Pro International, Sony, SystemSoft, Tec Toy, TO TEK International
Choplifter (1982): A Classic Military-Themed Scrolling Shooter
Choplifter is a military-themed scrolling shooter arcade game developed and published by Dan Gorlin and Broderbund in 1982. The player takes control of a helicopter pilot who must rescue hostages from enemy territory. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it has been ported to numerous home computers and consoles.
Gameplay
Choplifter is a horizontally-scrolling shooter game. The player controls a helicopter pilot who must rescue hostages from enemy territory. The hostages are located in a series of buildings, and the player must land the helicopter in each building to rescue them.
The player’s helicopter is armed with a machine gun and missiles. The player can use the machine gun to destroy enemy troops and vehicles, and the missiles can be used to destroy enemy buildings. The player must also avoid enemy fire and obstacles, such as trees and rocks.
The game is divided into a series of levels, each with its own unique layout and objectives. The player must complete each level in order to progress to the next one. The game becomes more difficult as the player progresses, with more enemies and obstacles to contend with.
Development
Choplifter was developed by Dan Gorlin, who was inspired by the 1981 arcade game Scramble. Gorlin wanted to create a game that was more challenging and strategic than Scramble, and he added a number of new features to Choplifter, such as the ability to rescue hostages and the use of missiles.
Gorlin also paid close attention to the game’s graphics and sound. The game’s colorful graphics and catchy music helped to make it a standout among other arcade games of the time.
Release
Choplifter was released in arcades in 1982. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it was soon ported to numerous home computers and consoles. The home versions of the game were generally well-received, although some critics found them to be too difficult.
Legacy
Choplifter is considered to be one of the classic arcade games of the 1980s. The game’s simple yet addictive gameplay, challenging levels, and catchy music have made it a favorite of gamers for over 40 years. Choplifter has also been influential on the development of other video games, such as the Grand Theft Auto series.
Tips for Playing Choplifter
Here are a few tips for playing Choplifter:
- Use the machine gun to destroy enemy troops and vehicles.
- Use the missiles to destroy enemy buildings.
- Avoid enemy fire and obstacles.
- Land the helicopter carefully in each building to rescue the hostages.
- Don’t be afraid to use the helicopter’s hover mode to stay in the air and avoid enemy fire.
- Practice makes perfect! The more you play Choplifter, the better you will become at it.
Conclusion
Choplifter is a classic military-themed scrolling shooter that still holds up today. Its simple yet addictive gameplay, challenging levels, and catchy music make it a must-play for fans of the genre. If you’re looking for a fun and challenging arcade game to play, then Choplifter is definitely worth checking out.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
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