Acclaim Tiger-Heli -Nintendo NES
Retro Gaming Review

Nintendo NES console Classic Retro Gaming Video Game Review

Acclaim Tiger-Heli for Nintendo NES Classic Retro Gaming Video Game Review

Title:	Tiger-Heli
Manufacturer:	Acclaim
Platform:	Nintendo NES
Release Date:	1987
Part #:	NES-TI-USA
Rating:	3 out of 5
ESRB Rating:	N/A

Rating:

Acclaim Tiger-Heli Screenshot:

Acclaim Tiger-Heli for Nintendo NES screenshot Classic Retro Gaming Video Game Review

Tiger-Heli is another arcade game that I came to enjoy on the NES having never known it was an arcade game. Developed by Toaplan (former Japanese arcade game developer) and published by Taito Corporation in 1985, it's the predecessor to the arcade game Twin Cobra. The layout of Tiger-Heli's arcade controls are easily replicated on the NES' D-pad for joystick replication and the NES' A and B buttons align well with the Missile and Bomb bottons on the arcade cabinet.

I spent many hours in front of the TV with this overhead vertical shooter for one or two players. Armed with infinite rapid firing missiles and 2 bombs, I loved the idea of fighting my way into a terrorist base and blasting everything in sight. It was reminiscent of Raiden, but offered game play that still captured my attention and made me want to drill deeper into the enemy territory.

Tiger-Heli Story Arc

Armed with the ultimate stealth jetcopter, you are about to penetrate the main military base of a dangerous terrorist nation - Cantun. At this mega fortress, preparations for a major world take-over are well underway. Neither ships or tanks can reach the base ans spy planes have been shot down. The only way in is an early morning sneak attack. Hovering close to the ground - beneath radar - is the only chance for you to get close enough to attack. The faster you reach the base and the deeper you go, the better your chances for averting a third world war!

Holy shit! Check this out...
The arcade version of Tiger Heli was ported to the NES by Micronics and distributed by

Acclaim in the United States and by Pony Inc. in Japan. The arcade version consisted of four stages. After completion of the final stage, the game restarts in a more difficult mode starting on stage 2.

Tiger-Heli Game Play

You start with 3 lives and the ability to gain more. An underground guerilla group resides inside the base and they can assist you. You'll encounter color-changing crosses on the ground in various colors. These are signals from the guerilla groups and it's up to you to shoot the crosses when certain colors appear.

Shooting a grey cross will release a support helicopter that will assist you with front-firing missile support. A red cross unleashes a chopper with horizontal firing capability. Shooting a green cross with change it to a "B" and give you another bomb. Keep track of your support choppers as you can only have 2 - shooting further crosses will have no effect. You can earn extra lives by shooting diamond-shaped bonus blocks. Shooting 10 bonus blocks gives you an extra life as does achieving 20,00 points and every 80,000 after that.

The graphics are not spectacular and the game play really couldn't be described as smooth, but this is a fun game. As a vertical shooter, it has both strategy and difficulty. You'll die a lot, but this really makes you want to try again. There's far more fun than frustration. Cool game! Another facet that was quite well done was the manual. They do a nice job of setting up the scenario and describing the mission and it's importance. Overall it is a very fun game.

Final Judgement: