Heli Fire

About

Heli Fire is a 1980 arcade shooter where you pilot a submarine under relentless attack from helicopters and sea creatures. Your main goal is to dodge falling bombs and enemy projectiles while firing upward at the chaos above. Timing your shots to hit targets just ahead of their positions adds a tricky layer to the action. The game supports both solo and co op play, though coordination is key since enemies come at you fast and furious from multiple angles. Developed by Nintendo R&D1, the game originally came in standard arcade cabinets and tabletop versions. A planned NES port was scrapped before release, leaving the arcade experience as its sole legacy. Despite its short lifespan, the game’s simple yet frantic design has kept it in the memory of retro gaming fans. Running on hardware from early 80s Japan, it feels like a direct ancestor to later wave based shooters but with a uniquely aquatic twist.