Choplifter (8751 315-5151)

In Sega's Choplifter, players take on the role of a helicopter pilot tasked with rescuing prisoners of war from enemy camps. Navigate your aircraft across the screen, dodging tanks and enemy fighters while carefully lifting hostages aboard. Successfully transport these rescued individuals to a nearby friendly base to advance through the game’s thirty-two levels. This arcade adaptation originated as an Apple II computer game in 1982, making it unusual for its time – appearing on home systems before being ported to arcades. The gameplay focuses on skillful maneuvering and timing; strategic low flying can help avoid enemy fire while targeting ground forces, but carefully managing the hostage timer is key to preventing tank reinforcements. Two players can cooperate, each controlling a helicopter in the shared mission. The game runs on Sega’s “System 1” hardware and offers a challenging experience for players seeking a unique blend of shooting action and rescue operations. A record score of 1,781,000 points was achieved by Charles Collins in 1986, showcasing the depth of skill required to master Choplifter.