Choplifter

Noticing that I hadn’t yet included a game from 1982 on the blog, I dove into my personal archive to sift through some interesting titles from that year and found a delightful side-scrolling arcade simulation: Choplifter.

The first time I saw it was as an irresistibly charming coin-operated arcade cabinet. Playing a game meant entering a tunnel of attempts to save the lives of those little digital men; it was 1985.

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Choplifter in Commodore 64 version.

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Actually, the game had already been out for three years on the Apple II, the original platform, and was then ported to Atari, Vic20, Commodore 64, and other systems. The arcade version was a well-executed, enhanced remake for the arcade cabinets.

Choplifter puts you in the role of a combat helicopter pilot on a daring mission to rescue hostages from the clutches of the evil Bungeling Empire. According to the backstory, delegates to the United Nations Conference on Peace and Child Rearing have been taken hostage and are being held in enemy barracks. Your mission is to pilot your helicopter into hostile territory, destroy the buildings where the hostages are held, and safely transport them back to the safety of the U.S. Postal Service building—all while fending off hostile tanks, jets, and other enemy combatants.

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Ending the game by saving all 64 hostages will not be easy..

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The gameplay is straightforward yet challenging. Your helicopter can face three directions: left, right, or forward (facing the screen). You can fire in any of these directions, independent of your flight path, which is crucial for tackling enemies on the ground and in the air. Precision is key, as you must avoid harming the very hostages you’re trying to rescue, whether by enemy fire or your own. Landing safely to pick up hostages requires skill, as an improper landing can result in tragic accidents. 

If the player lands directly on a hostage or fully obstructs the building exit, the hostages will be killed. In the Apple II and Atari 7800 versions, hostages also perish if the vehicle isn’t landed properly, even if it’s only slightly tilted. For this reason, along with the more colorful graphics, I consider the Apple II version to be slightly superior to the others.

Each of the four buildings holds 16 hostages, totaling 64. Your helicopter can carry only 16 passengers at a time, necessitating multiple trips into hostile territory. Achieving a perfect finish requires rescuing all 64 hostages in a single level. The game ramps up the difficulty with each successive trip, as the enemy becomes more alert and aggressive.

There’s little to be said about the playability of this title: it’s the Tetris of side-scrolling arcade games—simple and perfect, and it captivates you from the very first second.

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The colourful Apple 2 version.

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It might not capture a player’s attention for entire days anymore, but it still holds the charm of the old school. Playing it on the Commodore 64 or the more enticing arcade version—perhaps through MAME—still has its allure. 

One last note: in my opinion, the real gem of the series is the second installment, developed exclusively for the Game Boy—the absolute best. I still own my trusty Game Boy purchased in 1990, and playing Choplifter II is still enjoyable. It's a game that has definitely aged well.

The Verdict:

Play it if you want to gain some historical insight into the entire video game series, but if you really want to start having fun, start with the second installment.

Pros:

• The challenge of rescuing all 64 hostages encourages replays of the game to achieve a perfect score.

• Simple and really nice control system.

• Timeless Appeal: despite its age, Choplifter retains its charm and remains enjoyable.

Cons:

• The game lacks diverse environments and mission types.

Score	Rating
Apple II Game	92%
Commodore 64 Game	89%