Software:Chopper Command
| Chopper Command | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Activision |
| Publisher(s) | Activision |
| Designer(s) | Bob Whitehead |
| Platform(s) | Atari 2600 |
| Release | June 1982[1] |
| Genre(s) | Scrolling shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
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
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
- List of Atari 2600 games
- List of Activision games: 1980–1999
References
- ↑ "Atari VCS game release dates". https://www.atariarchive.org/atari-vcs-game-release-dates/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Chopper Command Manual. Activision. 1982. https://archive.org/stream/Chopper_Command_1982_Activision.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Weiss, Brett (2011-12-20) (in en). Classic Home Video Games, 1972-1984: A Complete Reference Guide. McFarland. ISBN 9780786487554. https://books.google.com/books?id=BzxTtml8Jq4C&q=Chopper+Command&pg=PA44. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Atari 2600 Encyclopedia: Do you know Chopper Command?". Old School Gamer Magazine. 19 December 2020. https://www.oldschoolgamermagazine.com/atari-2600-encyclopedia-do-you-know-chopper-command/.
- ↑ "Activision Patch Gallery". https://www.atariage.com/2600/archives/activision_patches.html.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Edwards, Richard A. (October 1982). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer (Steve Jackson Games) (56): 34.
- ↑ "Complete Games Guide". Computer and Video Games (Complete Guide to Consoles): 46–77. 16 October 1989. https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46.
- ↑ Kunkel, Bill; Katz, Arnie (February 1983). "Arcade Alley: The Fourth Annual Arcade Awards". Video (Reese Communications) 6 (11): 30, 108. ISSN 0147-8907.
- ↑ "All Together then: Activision Anthology". 14 December 2018. https://retronauts.com/article/1049/all-together-then-activision-anthology.
External links
- Chopper Command at Atari Mania
- Chopper Command at AtariAge
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