Chopper Command


Chopper Command is a horizontally scrolling shooter released by Activision for the Atari 2600 in June 1982. It was written by Bob Whitehead.

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. The game ends when the player loses all of his or her lives or reaches 999,999 points. A radar, called a Long Range Scanner in the instruction manual, shows all enemies, including those not visible on the main screen.
A player who achieved 10,000 points could send in a photo of the TV screen and receive a "Chopper Commandos" patch.

Reception

One reviewer referred to it as "Defender in the desert".
Richard A. Edwards reviewed Chopper Command in The Space Gamer No. 56. 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."
Chopper Command won "Best Action Video Game" at the 4th annual Arkie Awards.

Legacy

Chopper Command can be found on the Activision Anthology.