Go back to where it all started for Toaplan! This legendary title was a pioneer of bomber-based vertically scrolling shooters, and its gameplay system served as a blueprint for the genre.
TIGER HELI
Japanese title：TIGER HELI
| Release | 1985 |
| Genre | Vertically scrolling shooting |
| Platforms | Arcade PlayStation 4 Nintendo Switch Famicom Steam Others |
Controls & How to Play
The game is played with an 8-way joystick, a Shot button, and a Bomb button. Use the Shot and Bomb buttons to destroy enemies. If your ship is hit by enemy fire, it will be destroyed and you will lose a life. You will not lose a life for colliding with enemies located on land or on the sea. When you restart after losing a life, you will be equipped with a bomb, but will not have the mini helicopters at your side. The game is over if you lose all of your lives. There are a total of four stages.
【Items】
Cluster bomb
If you destroy the blue cross, a "B" item will appear that gives you one cluster bomb if you pick it up. You can store up to two of these bombs, one on each side of your helicopter. The bomb's blast will damage enemies in a wide radius, and also destroys any enemy bullets on the screen. If a cluster bomb is hit by enemy fire, it will be destroyed, but it also serves as a shield to protect your helicopter. If you already have two cluster bombs equipped and pick up another "B" item, you will receive 3,000 points instead. After clearing a stage, you will get 5,000 points for each cluster bomb you have remaining, and any cluster bombs that you lost will be replenished.
Little Heli #1
If you destroy a white cross marker, Little Heli #1 will appear from the top of the screen. As you approach the Little Heli, it can dock to either the left or right side of your helicopter. Once docked, it will move alongside your helicopter and fire straight ahead. If the Little Heli is hit by enemy fire, it will be destroyed.
Little Heli #2
If you destroy a red cross marker, Little Heli #2 will appear from the top of the screen. As you approach the Little Heli, it can dock to either the left or right side of your helicopter. Once docked, it will move alongside your helicopter and fire to the side. If the Little Heli is hit by enemy fire, it will be destroyed.
You can dock with two Little Helis, one on each side of your helicopter. You will receive 1,000 points for docking with a Little Heli. If you acquire another Little Heli after already having two docked, you will receive 3,000 points instead. You can use both Little Heli #1 and #2 at the same time. This allows you to use them both effectively, such as matching the timing of enemy appearances. You will receive 5,000 points for each Little Heli that manages to finish the stage without being destroyed.
1UP item
Destroy the diamond-shaped icons that appear in each stage and collect ten of them to receive an extra life.
- POINT1
- There are secret locations in the stages that will give you 10 points if you shoot them, and an additional 10,000 points if you continue to shoot them.
- POINT2
- There are hidden areas where race cars will appear, and you can make them appear in ten locations if certain conditions are met. You will receive 10,000 points for each race car that you destroy.
Impressions
This was the first bomb-based vertically scrolling shooter from Toaplan, which was unprecedented at the time. Although somewhat simple and plain-looking, the game's realism and heated gameplay captured the imagination of many fans. It was highly rated not only in Japan, but overseas as well, as seen by the review scores the game earned in video game magazines throughout the US and Europe. Two years later, another game titled Twin Cobra was released, and it was considered a sequel to Tiger-Heli, thereby demonstrating the influence this title had both inside and outside the company. As a game that was released more than 35 years ago, the game looks undeniably dated, but the fun gameplay still holds up even today, and it's also a popular shoot-'em-up overseas, where there is great interest in retro games.