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{{Short description|1982 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Choplifter
| image = Choplifter Cover.jpg
| caption = Atari 5200 box art
| developer = [[Dan Gorlin]]{{efn|Arcade version developed by [[Sega AM1|Sega R&D1]]; SG-1000 and MSX versions developed by [[Compile (company)|Compile]]; Famicom version developed by [[Tose (company)|Tose]]; Master System version developed by [[Sega Sports R&D|Sega R&D2]].}}
| publisher = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Broderbund]]}}|'''C64'''{{vgrelease|NA|Broderbund|EU|[[Ariolasoft]]}} '''5200'''<br />[[Atari, Inc.]]<br />'''Arcade, SG-1000, Master System'''<br />[[Sega]]<br />'''Famicom'''<br />[[Jaleco]]<br />'''7800'''<br />[[Atari Corporation]]}}
| designer = 
| series = ''Choplifter''
| platforms = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Apple II]]}}| [[Atari 8-bit]], [[VIC-20]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari 5200]], [[FM-7]], [[PC-88]], [[ColecoVision]], [[Coleco Adam]], [[SG-1000]], [[Arcade video game|arcade]], [[MSX]], [[PC-6001]], [[Sharp X1]], [[Thomson MO5]], [[Thomson TO7/70]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]], [[Master System]], [[Atari 7800]]}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|May 21, 1982}}|'''Apple II'''{{vgrelease|NA|May 21, 1982{{r|lombardy1982sepoct}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Choplifter (Registration Number PA0000170265) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=1 June 2021}}</ref>}} '''Atari 8-bit'''{{vgrelease||1982}} '''C64'''{{vgrelease|NA|September 1983<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/cb369928-f924-4272-8c95-6efbe447d008 |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=2 |issue=7 |date=October 1983 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''5200'''{{vgrelease||Mid-1984<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/f316eb98-2116-4984-9360-1263e60e0acd |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=3 |issue=2 |date=May 1984 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''ColecoVision'''{{vgrelease||Early 1985<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/4cc67eab-e26a-4820-981b-95e4abe36dd3 |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=3 |issue=11 |date=February 1985 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''SG-1000'''{{vgrelease|JP|July 1985<ref>{{cite magazine|title=これまで増加したゲームソフト: SG-1000, SC-3000, & マーク III セガの家庭用ソフト70本|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=283|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 May 1986|page=10|lang=ja|url=https://archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19860501p/page/n5/mode/1up}}</ref>}} '''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 25, 1985<ref>{{cite web |title=Choplifter (Registration Number PA0000280077) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=1 June 2021}}</ref>|EU|Late 1985<ref>{{cite web |title=Video Game Flyers: Choplifter, Sega (EU) |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=203 |website=The Arcade Flyer Archive |access-date=1 June 2021}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=September 2025}}|NA|December 1985<ref>{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971–2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |lang=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=131 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n132}}</ref>}} '''Famicom'''{{vgrelease|JP|June 26, 1986<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|title=All Famicom games sorted from the latest release to the earliest|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|archive-date=October 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015061257/https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} '''Master System'''{{vgrelease|NA|September 1986<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/ed58a5c7-0521-4d9e-8bf2-222ddaa7ecec |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=5 |issue=7 |date=October 1986 |page=14}}</ref>|UK|August 1987<ref>{{cite web|title=Mega Cartridges |url=https://www.smspower.org/Scans/Mastertronic-Catalogue-TheSegaMasterSystemGameCatalog1987-A?gallerypage=2|work=Mastertronic - The Sega Master System Game Catalog 1987 - A - United Kingdom Catalogue|publisher=[[Mastertronic]]}}</ref>}} '''7800'''{{vgrelease||August 1987<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/677e52dc-e087-4b93-84f7-ab2672c49028 |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=6 |issue=6 |date=September 1987 |page=14}}</ref>}}
}}
| genre = [[Scrolling shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| arcade system = [[List of Sega arcade system boards#Arcade system boards|Sega System 2]]
}}

'''''Choplifter''''' (stylized as '''''Choplifter!''''') is a 1982 horizontally [[scrolling shooter]] video game developed by [[Dan Gorlin]] and published by [[Broderbund]] for the [[Apple II]]. It was ported to the [[Atari 8-bit computers]] the same year, and later to the [[VIC-20]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari 5200]], [[ColecoVision]], [[MSX]], and [[Thomson computers]]. In 1985, [[Sega]] released a remake for [[arcade video game|arcades]], with subsequent ports published for the [[Master System]] and [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] in 1986. Graphically enhanced versions for the Atari 8-bit computers and [[Atari 7800]] were also released in 1988 by [[Atari Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Choplifter!|url=http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-400-800-xl-xe-choplifter_17338.html|website=Atari Mania}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
The player assumes the role of a combat [[helicopter]] pilot who must rescue hostages held in barracks within the territory controlled by the evil Bungeling Empire. The player must collect the hostages (described in the backstory as "delegates to the [[United Nations]] Conference on Peace and Child Rearing") and safely transport them to the nearby [[United States Postal Service|U.S. Postal Service]] building, all while fending off hostile tanks and other enemy combatants.<ref name="game-box">{{cite video game |title=Choplifter |developer=Broderbund |year=1982 |platform=Apple II, Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64 |scene=game packaging}}</ref><ref name="book">{{cite book|last1=Mott|first1=Tony|title=1001 video games you must play before you die|date=2013|publisher=Cassell Illustrated|location=London|isbn=9781844037667|edition=Revised and updated}}</ref> According to the backstory, the helicopter's parts were smuggled into the country, disguised as a "mail-sorting machine".

The helicopter can face three directions: left, right, or forward (facing the player). It can shoot at enemies in any of these directions and need not fly in the same direction it is facing. The forward-facing mode is primarily used to shoot at tanks. The player must be cautious to protect the hostages from enemy fire and avoid hitting them with friendly fire.

To rescue the prisoners, the player must first shoot at one of the hostage buildings to release the hostages, then land to allow them to board the [[sortie]], and finally return them to the player's starting point. Each of the four buildings holds 16 hostages, and the helicopter can only carry up to 16 passengers at a time, meaning several trips are necessary. Once the chopper is full, no more hostages will attempt to board; they will wave the helicopter off and wait for its return. Each successive trip is typically more perilous than the last, as the enemy becomes aware of the player's actions and mounts a counterattack.

If the player lands directly on top of a hostage or completely blocks the building exit, the hostages will be killed. In the Apple II and Atari 7800 versions, hostages will also die if the helicopter is not landed correctly (i.e., if it is slightly tilted), being crushed as they attempt to board. While grounded, the helicopter can be attacked by enemy tanks, which it can only shoot at by returning to the air. Additionally, enemy jet fighters are deployed, which can attack the helicopter in the air with [[air-to-air missile]]s or on the ground with bombs. The next enemy is an alien spacecraft which is very hard to avoid.

==Development==
Coming off a stint working for the [[Rand Corporation]], [[Dan Gorlin]] initially developed ''Choplifter'' using an [[Apple II]] loaned to him by his grandfather.<ref name="Gamasutra">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134956/choplifter_from_1982_to_2012.php?print=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509070536/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134956/choplifter_from_1982_to_2012.php?print=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 9, 2012|title=Choplifter: From 1982 to 2012|author=Frank Cifaldi|date=January 13, 2012|accessdate=June 15, 2018|work=Gamasutra|author-link=Frank Cifaldi}}</ref> Initially, Gorlin envisioned ''Choplifter'' as a 3D game, but he switched to a traditional 2D game environment due to technical limitations.

The game was developed in six months. After Gorlin began experimenting with animating a helicopter on the Apple II, he added scenery, tanks, and planes, with the hostages being added last. He noted that, as a story developed, the film camera techniques seemed appropriate, including the final message "The End" instead of "Game Over". Gorlin's first demonstration to [[Broderbund]] was "too realistic" for a helicopter simulation, and the company helped him make it easier to fly.<ref name="salmons198207">{{cite news | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1982&pub=6&id=6 | title=The Choppers of Mercy | work=Softline | date=July 1982 | accessdate=17 July 2014 | author=Salmons, Jim | pages=18}}</ref> The concept of rescuing hostages was inspired by Gorlin's experience with the game ''[[Defender (1981 video game)|Defender]]'', in which the player must protect people on the ground. Although the [[Iran hostage crisis]] ended the year before the game was released, Gorlin said that the game was not intended to be a "tie-in" to this event during the game's development.<ref name=halcyon>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://dadgum.com/halcyon/BOOK/GORLIN.HTM |title=Halcyon Days: Interviews with Classic Computer and Video Game Programmers |title-link=Halcyon Days (book) |date=March 1997 |last=Hague |first=James |chapter=Dan Gorlin |access-date=15 September 2025 |publisher=Dadgum Games}}</ref>

In the 1990s, Gorlin revisited the 3D concept in a failed attempt to remake the game.<ref name="Gamasutra" />

==Reception==
Debuting in May 1982, the game sold 9,000 copies by June, appearing on ''[[Computer Gaming World]]''{{'}}s list of top sellers.<ref name="lombardy1982sepoct">{{cite magazine |title=Inside the Industry |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1982&pub=2&id=6 |format=PDF |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |page=2 |date=September–October 1982 |accessdate=2016-03-28}}</ref> ''II Computing'' listed ''Choplifter'' seventh on the magazine's list of top Apple II games as of late 1985, based on sales and market share data.<ref name="ciraolo198510_11">{{cite news |url=https://archive.org/stream/II_Computing_Vol_1_No_1_Oct_Nov_85_Premiere#page/n51/mode/2up |title=Top Software / A List of Favorites |work=II Computing |date=Oct–Nov 1985 |accessdate=28 January 2015 |author=Ciraolo, Michael |pages=51}}</ref>

In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed Sega's arcade version of ''Choplifter'' as the most successful table arcade unit of October 1985.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=271|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 November 1985|page=23|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19851101p.pdf#page=12}}</ref> After being dethroned by [[Taito]]'s ''[[The Legend of Kage]]'' on November 15,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Hit Games 25|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=270|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 November 1985|page=23|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19851101p.pdf#page=12}}</ref> ''Choplifter'' returned to the top of the chart on December 1.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Hit Games 25|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=272|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 December 1985|page=23|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19851201p.pdf#page=12}}</ref>

===Reviews===
''[[Softline (magazine)|Softline]]'' in 1982 called the game "the first Interactive Computer-Assisted Animated Movie", describing it as a fusion of arcade gaming, simulation, and filmic visual aesthetics. The magazine praised the animation and the helicopter's "subtle flight control" and concluded that seeing the hostages' "hope and excitement, their faith in you" made the game "hard to play".<ref name="salmons198207">{{cite news | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1982&pub=6&id=6 | title=The Choppers of Mercy | work=Softline | date=July 1982 | accessdate=17 July 2014 | author=Salmons, Jim | pages=18}}</ref> In 1983, its readers named ''Choplifter'' fourth on the magazine's Top Thirty list of Atari 8-bit programs by popularity.<ref name="softline198303">{{cite news | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1983&pub=6&id=10 | title=The Most Popular Atari Program Ever | work=Softline | date=March 1983 | accessdate=28 July 2014 | pages=44}}</ref> ''[[BYTE]]'' called ''Choplifter'' "great fun".<ref name="byte198212">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/byte-magazine-1982-12/1982_12_BYTE_07-12_Game_Plan_1982#page/n85/mode/2up | title=The Coinless Arcade - Rediscovered | work=BYTE | date=December 1982 | accessdate=19 October 2013 | author1=Clark, Pamela | author2=Williams, Gregg | pages=84}}</ref> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'',<ref>{{citation | date = July–August 1982 | last = Greenlaw | first = Stanley | magazine = [[Computer Gaming World]] | title = Choplifter! Rescue the Hostages | pages = 30, 38}}</ref> ''[[Creative Computing]] Video & Arcade Games'',<ref name="ccvag1983spring">{{Cite magazine |last1=Ahl |first1=David H. |last2=Brill |first2=Andrew |last3=Lubar |first3=David |author-link3=David Lubar |last4=Coffey |first4=Michael |last5=Archibald |first5=Dale |date=Spring 1983 |title=Apple Computer Games |url=http://www.atarimagazines.com/cva/v1n1/applegames.php |magazine=Creative Computing Video & Arcade Games |volume=1 |issue=1 |page=86}}</ref> and ''The Commodore 64 Home Companion''<ref name=C64HC>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/The_Commodore_64_Home_Companion#page/n167/mode/2up|title=Broderbund Software|work=The Commodore 64 Home Companion|year=1984|access-date=August 19, 2016|pages=166–167}}</ref> praised the graphics and animation, the latter stating that the hostages running across the desert made the game "alive" and realistic.

The Apple II version of the game received a Certificate of Merit in the category of "Best Computer Audiovisual Effects" at the 4th annual [[Arkie Awards]],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kunkel |first1=Bill |author-link1=Bill Kunkel (journalist) |last2=Katz |first2=Arnie |author-link2=Arnie Katz |date=March 1983 |title=Arcade Alley: The Best Computer Games |journal=[[Video (magazine)|Video]] |publisher=Reese Communications |volume=6 |issue=12 |pages=32–33 |issn=0147-8907}}</ref>{{rp|33}} and shortly afterward, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' named it Computer Game of the Year.<ref name="kleiner19830708">{{cite news |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1983&pub=6&id=12 |title=Billboard Conference |work=Softline |date=Jul–Aug 1983 |accessdate=28 July 2014 |author=Kleiner, Karen |pages=44–45}}</ref> ''The [[Addison-Wesley]] Book of Atari Software 1984'' gave the game an overall A+ rating, calling it "a masterpiece". The book concluded that the concept, graphics, and animation make this "a delightful game".<ref name="aw1984">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/Atari_Software_1984#page/n73/mode/2up |title=The Addison-Wesley Book of Atari Software |publisher=Addison-Wesley |year=1984 |pages=74 |isbn=0-201-16454-X |editor1=Stanton, Jeffrey |editor2=Wells, Robert P. |editor3=Rochowansky, Sandra |editor4=Mellid, Michael}}</ref> ''[[InfoWorld]]'s Essential Guide to Atari Computers'' cited it as "innovative" and a "winner".<ref name="mace1984">{{Cite book |last=Mace |first=Scott |url=https://archive.org/details/InfoWorlds_Essential_Guide_to_Atari/page/n83/mode/2up?view=theater |title=InfoWorld's Essential Guide to Atari Computers |date=1984 |publisher=Harper & Row |isbn=978-0-06-669006-3 |pages=75}}</ref>

''[[Console XS]]'' magazine reviewed the Sega Master System version, giving it a score of 85%.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Software A-Z: Master System |magazine=[[Console XS]] |date=23 April 1992 |issue=1 (June/July 1992) |publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]] |location=United Kingdom |pages=137–47 |url=https://archive.org/details/console-xs-01/page/137}}</ref> ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' magazine reviewed the Master System version in 1989, giving it a score of 87%. They also reviewed the ColecoVision and Atari 7800 versions, giving them scores of 81% and 84%, respectively.<ref name="CVG">{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}</ref>

==Legacy==
''[[Choplifter II]]'', subtitled "Rescue Survive", was released for the [[Game Boy]] in 1991, then remade for both the Game Boy and [[Game Gear]] as ''Choplifter III'' in 1994. An unrelated ''[[Choplifter III]]'' was released for [[Super NES]].

In late 1997, Gorlin and his development team, Ariok Entertainment, were working on a ''Choplifter'' game for IBM PC compatibles that would be in 3D and feature multiplayer functionality.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=In the Studio |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=38 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=February 1998 |page=28}}</ref> The game was never released.

Sega released a pair of [[spiritual successor]]s without the ''Choplifter'' brand: ''[[Air Rescue]]'' (1991) for the [[Sega System 32]] arcade hardware is a first-person, [[pseudo-3D]] take on the concept. ''Air Rescue'' (1992) for the [[Master System]] more closely resembles the 2D ''Choplifter'', but features stages that scroll in all directions.

Programmer Will Botti cited ''Choplifter'' as a major inspiration for his 1996 game ''[[Black Dawn (video game)|Black Dawn]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Behind the Screens |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=87 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=October 1996 |page=158}}</ref>

In 2004, Xicat Interactive published ''ChopLifter: Crisis Shield'' exclusively in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/15/choplifter/ |title=ChopLifter [PS2 - Cancelled?] - Unseen64 |date=15 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/589384-choplifter-crisis-shield/data |title=ChopLifter: Crisis Shield Release Information for PlayStation 2 - GameFAQs}}</ref>

[[inXile Entertainment]] released ''[[Choplifter HD]]'' for [[Xbox Live Arcade]], [[PlayStation Network]], and [[Microsoft Windows]] in January 2012, and for [[Ouya]] in August 2013.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{MobyGames|id=/choplifter}}
* {{KLOV game|id=7333}}
* {{Internet Archive game|id=Choplifter1982Broderbund}}

{{Choplifter series}}

[[Category:1982 video games]]
[[Category:Apple II games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Ariolasoft games]]
[[Category:Atari 5200 games]]
[[Category:Atari 7800 games]]
[[Category:Atari 8-bit computer games]]
[[Category:Broderbund games]]
[[Category:ColecoVision games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:FM-7 games]]
[[Category:Helicopter video games]]
[[Category:Horizontally scrolling shooters]]
[[Category:Jaleco games]]
[[Category:Master System games]]
[[Category:MSX games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-6001 games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-8801 games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-9801 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Sega arcade games]]
[[Category:Sega System 1 games]]
[[Category:Sega video games]]
[[Category:SG-1000 games]]
[[Category:Sharp X1 games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Tose (company) games]]
[[Category:VIC-20 games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]