Citizen-rescuing blast from the past Choplifter is the latest old-school classic to get a current-gen reboot. Originally developed for the Apple II in 1982, then ported to arcade cabinets by Sega in 1985, this retro side-scrolling helicopter game finds a new landing pad on Xbox Live Arcade at the end of the month.

Like its forebear, the new Choplifter is simple, addictive, and fun. You pilot a variety of unlockable helicopters through an assortment of hostile locales, picking up friendly troops, camera crews, and P.O.W.s that need to be returned safely to your base. It’s not so easy thanks to enemy soldiers, turrets, and other helicopters shooting at you from all sides.

Luckily, your helicopter can return fire with satisfyingly deadly machine guns and missiles that make wiping out the opposition a breeze. Foreground foes are quickly dispatched by hitting LB or RB to swing your copter around and target them. Open fire and you’ll be treated to bad guys spurting red mist as they’re mowed down, while your pilot makes surprisingly funny remarks.

To spice things up, the whole game isn’t just timed rescue missions. One level has you deliver troops to a hospital where you then help them defend against hordes of zombies. All the while, your helicopter also has a limited amount of gas that’s used up faster while boosting, sporting heavier armor, and hauling more people per trip. Depending on the length of the level, your helicopter can refuel or get repaired at either the main base or small outposts.

Whether you’re an 80’s child looking for a walk down memory lane or just after a fun, casual game to play on the fly, Choplifter should satisfy the desires of every generation.

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PUBLISHER: inXile Entertainment  •  DEVELOPER: inXile Entertainment  •  Multiplayer: No  •  RELEASE DATE: Late November 2011  •  FOR FANS OF: Nonviolent solutions, helipads