Heli-Shooter
From Sega Retro
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| Heli-Shooter | |||||||||||||
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| System(s): Discrete logic arcade | |||||||||||||
| Publisher: Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | |||||||||||||
| Developer: Sega Enterprises, Ltd. | |||||||||||||
| Genre: Flight simulator | |||||||||||||
| Number of players: 1 | |||||||||||||
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Heli-Shooter (ヘリシューター) is a 3D combat flight simulator arcade game developed and published by Sega Enterprises, Ltd. Released in 1977,[1] it is essentially a hybrid between a digital video game and analog electro-mechanical game, combining CPU microprocessor technology with electro-mechanical components to project 3D visuals on a screen. It is a spiritual successor to Sega's electro-mechanical arcade games Helicopter (1968) and Jet Rocket (1970), enhanced with a CPU microprocessor, more sophisticated 3D screen projection technology, greater freedom of movement, and improved joystick controls.
Featuring free-roaming movement above a realistic three-dimensional landscape,[1] Heli-Shooter is the first 3D open-world game. It also features first-person shooting in a 3D environment,[3] making it one of the earliest 3D first-person shooters. Its analog electro-mechanical projection technology also enabled significantly more realistic 3D visuals than what was possible in purely digital video games at the time; it was not until the 1990s that purely digital video games matched the realism of its 3D visuals.
The game made its North American debut at the AMOA Expo 1977,[1] where it was one of the busiest attractions at the show.[2] It entered North American mass production in December 1977,[1] soon drawing large crowds at Sega Center arcades despite costing 50 cents per play.[2] According to Sega of America marketing manager Jack Gordon in January 1978, the game was selling "exceptionally well" and was "one of the hottest" arcade hits he'd seen in years.[2] Despite its success, it was Sega's last arcade shooter to use analog electro-mechanical technology.
Sega later developed arcade helicopter games that can be considered spiritual successors to Heli-Shooter, including Thunder Blade (1987)[4] and Air Rescue (1992).[5]
Gameplay
Players sit in a helicopter's cockpit, using a control stick and right and left pedals to control their movement in the sky. The object of the game is to strike enemy targets (shown in red) with missiles. 500 points are awarded for striking enemy planes and 200 points for other targets.
Specifications
Dimensions
Promotional material
