Tiger-Heli Heads to Atari Platforms: Classic Arcade Shooter Launches July 18th

Toaplan’s legendary arcade shooter, Tiger-Heli, is set to make history once again as it lands on Atari consoles for the very first time.

Plaion and Atari officially announced today that the classic 1985 vertically scrolling shooter will be released for the Atari 2600+, Atari 7800, and Atari 7800+ on July 18, 2025.

This marks a milestone for both the Tiger-Heli franchise and Atari’s revived hardware, as the game has never before been officially released on Atari platforms. Tiger-Heli, originally developed by Toaplan, made waves in arcades with its intense helicopter combat and was quickly recognized as a defining title in the shoot-'em-up genre.

The player controls an attack helicopter fighting through stages filled with enemy tanks, battleships, and artillery.

The arcade popularity paved the way for ports to other systems, including an NES and Famicom version by Micronics in the late 1980s.

Tiger-Heli also gave rise to two successful sequels, Twin Cobra (1987) and Twin Cobra II (1995). Over the decades, Tiger-Heli has seen a number of re-releases and compilations, including appearances in M2’s Toaplan Arcade Garage: Kyukyoku Tiger-Heli for the Nintendo Switch and PS4, Blaze Entertainment’s Toaplan Arcade 1 for Evercade, and Polymega Collection Vol.

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The classic shooter also returned to PC audiences via Steam and GOG.

However, the upcoming Atari versions are notable for being built from the ground up specifically for the hardware, providing authentic gameplay for both retro enthusiasts and newcomers. In an official statement announcing the release, representatives for Plaion and Atari noted that this edition of Tiger-Heli has been developed to ensure compatibility and optimal performance on the Atari 2600+, Atari 7800, and Atari 7800+.

Key features of the new port include: - Purpose-built adaptation for Atari consoles - Single-player, vertically scrolling helicopter action - Classic power-ups that expand firepower and grant special functions - Varied stages spanning multiple environments - A lineup of classic enemies, from ground vehicles and turrets to aircraft - Pokey-based audio score, delivering an authentic retro soundscape - Support for original 7800 hardware as well as the new Atari 2600+ and 7800+ Tiger-Heli is scheduled for launch on July 18th, 2025.

Pre-orders are now open at major retailers and via Atari.com, with a recommended retail price of £24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99, subject to regional availability. In addition to Tiger-Heli, Atari’s July 18th lineup will also feature new cartridge releases for Avalanche, Countermeasure 2, Dark Chambers, and Super Circus Atari, offering retro gaming fans several modernized classics to add to their collections. With this new release, both Toaplan’s iconic legacy and Atari’s ongoing hardware revival are set to continue resonating with longtime gamers and a new generation of retro enthusiasts alike.

Toaplan Atari Atari 2600+ Atari 7800 Atari 7800+