Choplifter! is a side-scrolling action/arcade game that puts the player in command of an attack chopper. The mission: Go behind enemy lines and rescue up to 64 hostages. However, the chopper can only carry 16 passengers at a time, so several rescue attempts must be made to rescue everyone. Be careful, though, because tanks and enemy aircraft will try to stop you - and they won't stop shooting while the rescuing of hostages is going on.
The game follows a similar storyline across different versions, with some variations in level design and gameplay mechanics.
Gameplay involves navigating the chopper through various environments, rescuing hostages, and avoiding enemy fire. The player must manage their fuel levels and passenger capacity to complete each level.
Choplifter! was originally released for Apple II home computers in 1986 , before being ported to the arcades and later released on other platforms, including the Famicom and Sega Master System.