The militaristic Bungeling Empire has kidnapped 64 United Nations delegates and is holding them captive unless their demands are met. Choplifter is a side-scrolling helicopter rescue game in which players pilot a U.S. helicopter into hostile territory to rescue the hostages.
To free the prisoners, players must blast holes in four barracks by using the helicopter's cannon. Land carefully and wait as the hostages run into the helicopter, which can hold 16 hostages at a time. The Bungelings will unleash heavily armed tanks and jet fighters to fire on your copter and the escaping hostages.
Grab as many hostages as you can and fly back to the U.S. military base. The game ends when all three of your helicopters have been destroyed or when all hostages are accounted for (either rescued or killed).