Choplifter
Atari 2600 · 1982
About this game
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.
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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.
Originally released for Apple II home computers, Choplifter! was later ported to the arcades in a rare instance of a home version receiving a later arcade release.
However while the basic gameplay stayed the same, alterations to the original version were made.
The game now consists of four different levels.
The original's desert level has been redesigned, and three new settings (sea, caves and city rooftops) have been added.
Each level contains only a total of 24 hostages to rescue.
The player has to rescue at least 20 hostages to complete a level.
Also, the chopper can now only carry 8 passengers at a time.
A fuel system was added.
A unit of fuel gets refilled for each hostage returned safely.
A scoring system was added.
New stationary ground-to-air missiles enemy units have been added.
The Famicom and Sega Master System versions are based on this Arcade version.
The Sega Master System has six levels (three of the levels repeating just with different backgrounds; no city rooftops level), gets rid of the fuel system, and requires 40 out of the 48 hostages to be rescued to complete a level (the chopper can now carry 16 passengers just like in the original version).
About Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 (1977) was the console that first proved interchangeable game cartridges could sustain a mass-market business, effectively founding the home console industry as we know it. Most common 2600 titles are inexpensive today given how many units and copies were sold, but a small number of extremely rare releases — including several from Atari's own late-era prototype and licensed titles — are among the most valuable cartridges in retro collecting.
Gamevaro tracks Choplifter for Atari 2600 with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Choplifter to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This A2600 release dates back to 1982.
Market values by condition
PAL
NTSC-U
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-15 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-U | €28.93 |
| 2026-07-15 | Loose / Item only | PAL | €34.96 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Only a handful of market sales have been tracked for Choplifter, suggesting it doesn't trade hands very often — a sign of relative scarcity compared to more common Atari 2600 titles.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Choplifter worth?
Choplifter for Atari 2600 is currently worth €34.96 loose. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Choplifter rare?
Choplifter has only a handful of tracked market sales, suggesting relative scarcity compared to more common Atari 2600 titles.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Choplifter?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. These are tracked as separate market values because the price gap between them can be significant, especially for older releases.
Is Choplifter worth more in PAL or NTSC?
The PAL version of Choplifter is currently worth €34.96 loose, versus €28.93 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.
Ratings & Reviews
Also on other platforms
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