Classic vertical scroller Chopper 1 brings some aerial combat and bombardment to the Arcade Archives and reminds us of early SNK.
Okay, this is a completely new one on me. Never played it, but quite fancy it as I like a bit of helicopter combat. Released as The Legend of Air Cavalry in Japan and known variously in the west as Chopper 1 and Chopper I, this 1988 title was released as a table arcade unit, and is single or simultaneous two-player.
From memory, simultaneous two-player table arcade units were notoriously difficult to master if you found yourself at the “wrong” end of the table. Consequently, they were rare, and may have contributed to the format dying off when it did.
Here’s the game’s synopsis:
“CHOPPER 1” is a shooter released by SNK in 1988. Pilot a combat helicopter deep into enemy territory in a mission to restore peace to your homeland. Wielding overwhelming power far beyond what’s needed to simply protect one’s family, what will these men discover at the end of their path of destruction?
Chopper 1 trailer
Enjoy this, it’s around 3 minutes of chopper combat and bombing.
Now, if only someone could explain to me why the enemy is fighting back with trebuchets…
As with all current Arcade Archives releases, Chopper 1 is part of the standard Arcade Archives for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, and the Arcade Archives 2 collection for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series. The collection has dedicated years faithfully reproducing many classic arcade masterpieces, and getting an entry in the Guinness Book of Records in the process.
Arcade Archives releases don’t only give you the game. They offer enhanced quality of life features, from save states and adjustable difficulty level to CRT overlays and even a global high score table.
You can learn more about Chopper 1 and the rest of the collection on the Arcade Archives website.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
