Born 1990: This was actually the first game I ever played. My older step brother gave me a box containting, not one, but two 2600's, and about 150 games. That doesn't mean I'm complaining about his gift, only that I'm saying that's a lot to put on a person of only five years old, with no manual...
Awesome! This was the first game I ever played, and actually introduced me to gaming when I was 3. My dad came home with a box of atari games and a 2600 he got from a garage sale. He got it for my older brother, but I was the one amazed by it. I still remember everything about that moment its no coincedence my life revolves around the gaming world. This game might actually be my oldest clear memory.
I remember playing this from around 1982-83...not sure but I do remember having to flip the switch to change shooting modes. I still have this, maybe I'll dig it up now.
i seriously remember the week Activision released this game back in the early 80's. great game, and great review Mark... makes me want to dig it out and play it right now! Activision = master of 2600 VCS sunsets? i couldn't agree more;)
@EastCoastDude99, Thanks man. I had to look it up to make sure. But I swear I remember playing it on the 2600 around '83 or '84. Maybe I have the two mixed up if Choplifter came out later.
I cannot even remember how many countless hours I devoted to playing this game. One time I played almost all weekend (as there was no such thing as a game save back then) and managed to get 1,000,000 points.....Well, it actually flipped back to all zeros but it was cool to hear the Atari making the sounds once my goal was reached. It is unfortunate that there was so much glare on the TV when my mom took the pic as I really wanted the Activision patch. I got one on eBay though. :D
Yeah I dug this game, I played it more actually than Defender for the Atari 2600. There was a lot going on in this one. Sure Defender was more well known (I knew it for sure) but I always found myself playing this more often and anyway the Defender version for the 2600 wasn't entirely accurate to the arcade anyway. Great review Mark! These never get old. Off to 3D tic tac toe!
I saw this game at Game Traiders the other day and I bought it. I thought it might have been the Atari version of Chopper Lifter. I was a little disappointed at first but it's still a really fun game. I bought it along with solaris for $5.
@LeapinAbys I understand but just picture it on his perspective. He boots his 360/PS3 it's filled with requests, it logs into youtube, it's filled with requests, he boots his email, you get the picture. He's going to review what he wants to because he can't get everyones request done.
My brother npw about to turn 35 got a Chopper Command patch for sending in his hi-score... He could play that damn game infinitely and when I was only 4 yrs old he was a HERO! YES INDEED NOBODY DID SUN HORIZONS quite LIKE ACTIVISION - RIP
Yes, Activison did made the best games for the Atari 2600. And Activision is still in business until today. Not many videogame-companies have a so long tradition.
I had this game. you can't get the full experience without a flight helmet. FEH FEH FEH "Get in the gunship, they need air support son! OH NO BOGIES!" FEH FEH FEH.
@Herbarius: I would assume so, but I doubt the game would be reviewed with only 1 or 2 requests. Try it anyway, it just might work. @Snotnarok: You beat me to this one. Just because it probably wouldn't be reviewed doesn't mean we shouldn't try, though.
What CGR fails to realize or maybe mention is that this was a training sim for USAF for Desert Storm. The convoys are filled with aide and the enemy helicopters are Russian built Iraq army helicopters. Obviously no match for the US Air Force chopper, they kick ass. U S A...
Wow, back when Activision had a bit of pride with the games they published... who knew? Not hating on Call of Duty (well... the main canon). It's great in its own way. I'm referring to the plethora of half-baked crap they put on the market.
Born 1990: This was actually the first game I ever played. My older step brother gave me a box containting, not one, but two 2600's, and about 150 games. That doesn't mean I'm complaining about his gift, only that I'm saying that's a lot to put on a person of only five years old, with no manual...
The sound of the gunship shooting is so fucking badass.
Awesome! This was the first game I ever played, and actually introduced me to gaming when I was 3. My dad came home with a box of atari games and a 2600 he got from a garage sale. He got it for my older brother, but I was the one amazed by it. I still remember everything about that moment its no coincedence my life revolves around the gaming world. This game might actually be my oldest clear memory.
So smooth and impressive, and the sun effect is just so classy.
I love the sound effects of Activision games for Atari, especially Chopper Command and Laser Blast.
i love this game when it was a kid. this was the first game that I enjoyed playing when I was a kid. I think I was 5 at the time.
I remember playing this from around 1982-83...not sure but I do remember having to flip the switch to change shooting modes. I still have this, maybe I'll dig it up now.
i seriously remember the week Activision released this game back in the early 80's.
great game, and great review Mark... makes me want to dig it out and play it right now!
Activision = master of 2600 VCS sunsets?
i couldn't agree more;)
Wasn't there also Choplifter a few years later? I recall having to pick up prisoners with a chopper.
Great review dude. I have Defender of the 2600& the similarites are very close.
exlent. now 2023. thank you
@EastCoastDude99, Thanks man. I had to look it up to make sure. But I swear I remember playing it on the 2600 around '83 or '84. Maybe I have the two mixed up if Choplifter came out later.
I cannot even remember how many countless hours I devoted to playing this game. One time I played almost all weekend (as there was no such thing as a game save back then) and managed to get 1,000,000 points.....Well, it actually flipped back to all zeros but it was cool to hear the Atari making the sounds once my goal was reached. It is unfortunate that there was so much glare on the TV when my mom took the pic as I really wanted the Activision patch. I got one on eBay though. :D
The gun in this game sounds awesome.
I've got a question: Can you post requests for future reviews?
one of my favorite games
Yeah this is for sure a great game. Awesome video man.
Yeah I dug this game, I played it more actually than Defender for the Atari 2600. There was a lot going on in this one. Sure Defender was more well known (I knew it for sure) but I always found myself playing this more often and anyway the Defender version for the 2600 wasn't entirely accurate to the arcade anyway.
Great review Mark! These never get old.
Off to 3D tic tac toe!
I saw this game at Game Traiders the other day and I bought it. I thought it might have been the Atari version of Chopper Lifter. I was a little disappointed at first but it's still a really fun game. I bought it along with solaris for $5.
Fun game, I have this and played it somewhat recently. I like it.
this was one of my favorite games on the system
@LeapinAbys
I understand but just picture it on his perspective. He boots his 360/PS3 it's filled with requests, it logs into youtube, it's filled with requests, he boots his email, you get the picture. He's going to review what he wants to because he can't get everyones request done.
Hmm reminds me of a game in 1982 also
for the Commodore Vic 20, a cartridge
game called Choplifter except you had
to rescue people.
reminds me of empire strikes back shooting and the square on bottom thing
awsome memories with this game activision ruled ,,,
love this game, got a third party joystick for my 2600 which looks more like a flight stick and it plays great with this.
Whats the music played in the intro?
Classic Game Room HD: Your source for Atari 2600 reviews IN FRIGGIN HIGH DEFINITION! WHOAMG!!!
God I remember how tough the gun sounded, unlimited ammo
I believe the first Activision game for the Atari 2600 is Dragster. I think it came out in 1980.
Awesome review Mark. I love me some Chopper Command but it's not quite as good as Stargate/Defender II.
yeah i remember this one
I believe Barnstorming was the first game to break out the awesome Activision sunset.
My brother npw about to turn 35 got a Chopper Command patch for sending in his hi-score... He could play that damn game infinitely and when I was only 4 yrs old he was a HERO! YES INDEED NOBODY DID SUN HORIZONS quite LIKE ACTIVISION - RIP
Yes, Activison did made the best games for the Atari 2600. And Activision is still in business until today. Not many videogame-companies have a so long tradition.
do you use an emulator tor record these?
nice use of colors
Heh... I never really thought of Activision as the "Master of Sunsets", but it's true! I was always a fan of Keystone Kapers....
What is the name of the song he uses for his intro?
the first game I ever played!
I had this game. you can't get the full experience without a flight helmet. FEH FEH FEH "Get in the gunship, they need air support son! OH NO BOGIES!" FEH FEH FEH.
What are u waiting for PSN / XBLMP ???
which one's the song that plays at 0:14 ?
Props.
They could have made a cut down version for the ye-oldy 2600
try this on game 3 woo!
Flicking a switch on the back of the atari and the machine gun would switch to a laser.
I played the hell out of this game
I'm 37 ans I can tell you that I played again and again!
He gets probably 100 requests per day, honestly it'd probably only happen if it was 60+ people asking for the same game
@Herbarius: I would assume so, but I doubt the game would be reviewed with only 1 or 2 requests. Try it anyway, it just might work.
@Snotnarok: You beat me to this one. Just because it probably wouldn't be reviewed doesn't mean we shouldn't try, though.
this guy makes fall alsleep! lol
Go and see if you can track down Locomotion.
What CGR fails to realize or maybe mention is that this was a training sim for USAF for Desert Storm. The convoys are filled with aide and the enemy helicopters are Russian built Iraq army helicopters. Obviously no match for the US Air Force chopper, they kick ass. U S A...
nintendo must has listened with the new zelda for the DS with the trains
1 person got shot down by the Choppa.
Yes that's spelt right.
Wow, your mother must be really proud.
Did you get a cookie, and maybe a kiss too ?
get to the choppa
Defender dropped the ball, and Chopper Command did pretty well in absence of a good defender port.
i love the graphics and sound but i never liked the gameplay.
enemies are too small that it's really hard to shoot and really easy to crush into them.
Much like Defender and Star Wars.
The little details DID make the difference.....
Wow, back when Activision had a bit of pride with the games they published... who knew? Not hating on Call of Duty (well... the main canon). It's great in its own way. I'm referring to the plethora of half-baked crap they put on the market.
it's an analogue signal
its broke in the 3d tic tac toe review
fisrt view and comment!
First, onh!! ;-)
LOL.