Choplifter II on the Game Boy is where the concept of this classic helicopter rescue game first began to fulfil its potential. The overly simple and repetitive gameplay of the original Choplifter has been expanded, making the game much more fun to play.

The aim of the game is more or less the same as before: fly your chopper into enemy territory; destroy hostile units; avoid collisions; pick up prisoners, and return them to base.

A damage meter at the bottom of the screen shows your health, and if it drops to zero, your chopper will explode and you’ll lose a life. Picking up stars – randomly thrown up when you destroy an enemy unit – will repair any damage you’ve received.

Controlling the helicopter is very similar to the original Choplifter; you can configure the craft to face left, right, and toward the player (allowing you to shoot directly downward) – all done using just the d-pad.

This version of Choplifter uses two fire buttons, allowing you to shoot bullets with one, and use secondary weapons such as bombs and missiles with the other, which is a welcome new addition.

One really cool feature of Choplifter II is the ability to collect and use a rope, which you use like a secondary weapon to rescue men from places where you cannot land. It very much reminded me of the classic Spectrum game, Krakatoa, only much better.

What makes Choplifter II so much better than the first Choplifter is the level design; the varied enemy units; the fairer gameplay (the first Choplifter is notorious for its unfair and punishing gameplay), and little touches (like bird strikes, and storm clouds, both of which can damage you), that give the game character.

There are five stages in total, each with three sub-levels, making fifteen different levels in total. Passwords are used to continue from levels you’ve previously reached.

Choplifter II was developed by Beam Software and published by JVC/Victor Musical Industries in 1991, and I’d say that it’s one of the best games of its type on the Game Boy. And this first sequel only ever appeared on the original Game Boy.

The Game Gear/Game Boy/Super Nintendo second sequel, Choplifter III, is arguably even better.

More: Choplifter II on Wikipedia