Long before Ghost Pilots or Alpha Mission 2 were released on the Neo Geo, SNK already had its know-how in developing Shoot 'em Ups. After Capcom's legendary 1942 (1984) the genre gained hugely on popularity and similar games began to flood the market. Like many other Japanese developer teams SNK jumped on the bandwagon and released arcade classics like Ozma Wars, Vanguard ('But who destroys the Gond? Luther destroys the Gond!') or Alpha Mission 1.
Soon it was clear that military themed arcade titles always offered a great appeal to the action movie-spoiled kids of the '80s, so SNK couldn't go wrong with an according Shmup. In Chopper I (actually there's no sequel or whatsoever) the player takes control of an attack helicopter to shoot the hell out of other aircrafts of ground vehicles. Questions?
And what about a High Score Challenge? Wold be about time!
Chopper I
Genre: Shoot 'em up Players: 2 Size: n/a Released on: Arcade
Brief Description:
Chopper I is an 1988 arcade hall video game, developed by SNK. The objective of the top-down game is to infiltrate enemy territory and essentially destroy all objects. The game can be played with 1 or 2 players; both players, each occupying one helicopter, play simultaneously. Gameplay is similar to the video game 1942, but the game pace is faster. Like similar games, larger enemy vehicles and planes need more shots to destroy, and each level there is a final boss that one must destroy to proceed to the next.
I absolutely love that you've been digging into SNK's obscurities lately. Again I had never heard of this one, but it looks great so I'll definitely be giving it a try now. Too bad this wasn't included in SNK Classics Vol. 0.
Well, a good game nonetheless, even though by the name Chopper 1/I/etc., its JP name is The Legend of Air Calvary, which might make sense, other than that, surprised to see its a 2-all/loop game, lol. :3
Never heard of this one before but I gave it a try on Mame earlier and really liked it. A very fun vertical shooter that is quite addictive. The nets which your chopper can become entangled in so you can't fire for a while are an original idea. I do find the game quite challenging and tend to die quite a lot. The best I managed so far was a score of just over 52000 and getting to the flame throwing boss. If there's a HSC I'll take part. SNK were clearly already a very good arcade developer before the Neo Geo hardware was created.
Stray wrote :- Well, a good game nonetheless, even though by the name Chopper 1/I/etc., its JP name is The Legend of Air Calvary, which might make sense
Yes Chopper isn't the best name. Sounds like an Atari 2600 game, where the name pretty much described the game. e.g. "Skiing!', 'Soccer!' etc
I can see where you are coming from Priest with that Twin Cobra comparision. Reminds me a lot of SWIV on the Amiga. Looks like an Amiga game too! Looks good fun though.
I think this game is so good that this thread deserves one more bump before the new GOTW appears. I voted 'Very good Shoot 'em Up for its time. Recommended!'
So has anyone else played this? It takes seconds to download the rom so why not give it a try on Mame and post your thoughts about the game.
I'm finding stage 2 quite tricky. It's quite narrow in places and the enemy helicopters chasing after you make things difficult. I'll try to improve my score in the HSC.
merlin wrote:
So has anyone else played this? It takes seconds to download the rom so why not give it a try on Mame and post your thoughts about the game.
I'm finding stage 2 quite tricky. It's quite narrow in places and the enemy helicopters chasing after you make things difficult. I'll try to improve my score in the HSC.
Since I'm playing it for the HSC I'm still stucked at the stage 1 boss, I haven't been so nervous since Viewpoint (if you remember the epic HSC back then)!
The biggest issue in my eyes is still the overly huge hitbox of your chopper, it makes it horrendously difficult to survive narrow passages (like mountains) without being hit by a random bullet.
Some enemy designs are also hilarious, the catapult for example. I mean, who uses medieval catapults against modern attack helicopters?! And still, they are quite dangerous ingame.
Otherwise Chopper I is fantastic for being a forgotten shoot 'em up released in 1988, I'm still surprised that nobody really knows it.
Edited by Murikov on 13. October 2013 19:20
The first boss still causes me a few problems too. My tactic is to try and get as many hits as possible at the start, hit it with two bomb attacks and just keep a very close eye on where the flame-throwing weapon is. The two helicopters in stage 2 are easier I think.
I've given up on the Viewpoint challenge. That stage 3 boss is just too difficult for me.
You're right the hitbox in Chopper I is quite large. When multiple shots are coming your way it's not easy to safely pass between them.
Yes the catapults are quite amusing! They do seem to be a very effective weapon against attack helicopters though because they've got me quite a few times.
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Chopper (I) HSC is comming up...
