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Chopper Command is a horizontally scrolling shooter video game released by Activision for the Atari 2600 in June 1982. It was written by Bob Whitehead.[2][3] The player flies a helicopter left and right over a scrolling, wraparound landscape, shooting down enemy airplanes to protect a convoy of trucks below.[3]

Gameplay

The player’s helicopter (left) dealing with two enemy helicopters and a jet

In Chopper Command, the player controls a military helicopter in a desert scenario protecting a convoy of trucks. The goal is to destroy all enemy fighter jets and helicopters that attack the player’s helicopter and the friendly trucks traveling below, ending the current wave.[3][4] The game ends when the player loses all of his or her lives or reaches 999,999 points.[2] A radar, called a Long Range Scanner in the instruction manual,[2] shows all enemies, including those not visible on the main screen, similar to Defender.[3][4]

The player’s helicopter is destroyed if it collides with an enemy aircraft or a truck (which destroys the truck as well) or is shot by an enemy.[2][4] Each enemy bullet splits in two, one going up and one going down.[2][4] Using the “A” difficulty level results in a slower player shot.[2]

Each enemy helicopter is 100 points and each enemy jet is 200 points.[2] After each wave, bonus points are awarded for remaining trucks.[2]

A player who achieved 10,000 points could send in a photo of the TV screen and receive a “Chopper Commandos” patch.[5]

Reception

Richard A. Edwards reviewed Chopper Command in The Space Gamer No. 56.[6] Edwards commented that “It is well-done, but if you wish to avoid another arcade shooting match, even if it has nice sound and graphics, then pass it up.”[6]

Computer and Video Games magazine reviewed the game in 1989, giving it an 83% score and noting it was very similar to Defender.[7] Brett Weiss referred to it as “Defender in the desert”.[3]

Chopper Command won “Best Action Video Game” at the 4th annual Arkie Awards.[8]: 108 

Legacy

Chopper Command is included in the Activision Anthology.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ “Atari VCS game release dates”. Atari Archive.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Chopper Command Manual. Activision. 1982 – via archive.org.
  3. ^ a b c d e Weiss, Brett (2011-12-20). Classic Home Video Games, 1972-1984: A Complete Reference Guide. McFarland. ISBN 9780786487554. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d “Atari 2600 Encyclopedia: Do you know Chopper Command?”. Old School Gamer Magazine. 19 December 2020.
  5. ^ “Activision Patch Gallery”. AtariAge.
  6. ^ a b Edwards, Richard A. (October 1982). “Capsule Reviews”. The Space Gamer (56). Steve Jackson Games: 34.
  7. ^ “Complete Games Guide” (PDF). Computer and Video Games (Complete Guide to Consoles): 46–77. 16 October 1989.
  8. ^ Kunkel, Bill; Katz, Arnie (February 1983). “Arcade Alley: The Fourth Annual Arcade Awards”. Video. 6 (11). Reese Communications: 30, 108. ISSN 0147-8907.
  9. ^ “All Together then: Activision Anthology”. 14 December 2018.