Le Geek - Retrogaming Reviews

Rating
Graphics:	4
Sound:	4
Control:	3
Depth:	2.5
Overall:	2.5

Chopper Command

By: Bob Whitehead
Published By: Activision
Released: 1982

Chopper Command is essentially a Defender clone, dropping the outer space setting for a desert military theme. The graphics and gameplay are streamlined to better suit the abilities (and limitations) of the Atari 2600, and as a result, the game easily trumps Atari's home version of Defender.

There are no smart bombs and no worrying about your humanoids being captured and turned into enemies. You simply defend a convoy of trucks from enemy jets and helicopters, and once all the trucks are destroyed the game is over. The game "world" is several screens long, with a radar map displaying the big picture on the bottom of the screen.

The graphics and sounds are top notch, and once you've cleared multiple waves the game speeds up to a frantic pace. Yet for all its spit and polish, there isn't that much to the game, and I've never found Chopper Command to be all that compelling.

So I recommend Chopper Command only half heartedly. Many people seem to love it though, so your mileage may vary.

- Ben Langberg

Game 1: Cadet Level - one player
Game 2: Cadet Level - two player
Game 3: Commander Level - one player
Game 4: Commander Level - two player

Difficulty switches in the B position cause fast continuous fire from the chopper. Select the A position for slower continuous fire.

If you reach a score of 10,000 (or more) on the Cadet level, you will be eligible to join this prestigious organization. Just send us a picture of your TV screen and we'll present you with a special "Commandos" emblem.