Choplifter seems to have been inspired by the rescue attempt for the Iranian hostages. It runs on the unexpanded Commodore Vic with the aid of a joystick.

This is a one player game, and more socially acceptable than most. You are using three helicopters to try to rescue hostages in enemy territory. Your score, indicated on the screen, is one point for each hostage rescued and successfully delivered to your home base.

You control the direction of the three helicopters with the joystick, and turn them by using the firing button. You fire your weapons - in self-defence only - by pressing the fire button on and off quickly.

The packaging of the cartridge is colourful. It comes in a sturdy box with an illustration on the front and instructions on the back. There is a warning that a joystick is needed and this should prevent disappointment. The instructions are clear, and a demo program shows you what is in store.

This is a very good game, with impressive use of graphics and sound. You are attacked by killer kamikaze satellites which try to ram you, by jet aircraft which try to bomb you, and by tanks which mercifully can only shoot to a certain height, but which are devastating when you load or unload the men.

When you've rescued all the men from one blockhouse you seek out another and shoot it open, to release more. The US Cavalry has arrived!

There is only one level of difficulty, but this is high enough to sustain the interest of the most experienced of players. The waving of the hostages, and the realistic sounds of bombs, helicopter blades, and bullets all add to the fun, as do the lifelike graphics. These include clever high resolution, almost three dimensional, effects, which are very impressive. You can also change the colours by pressing a function key, although the instructions do not tell you this.

The game is good fun for a wide variety of age groups, and uses the capabilities of the Vic to the full.

Priced quite high, no doubt because it is imported from the US, Choplifter is none the less good value for the more affluent games player.