As Konami’s Scramble soared to the top of arcade earnings, the company quickly developed a sequel: Super Cobra, released just a few months later. Instead of a rocket ship, players controlled a helicopter, but the goal remained the same – pure destruction.
Using a joystick, players navigated their chopper through ten side-scrolling levels, ending with a base. Separate buttons fired sidewinder missiles forward and dropped bombs below.
Bombing required skill, as there were no targeting sights, so players had to lead their shots for a direct hit.
The ten stages featured tight tunnels, tall buildings to fly over, gun turrets, and all the missile-launching enemies that made Scramble exciting. The gameplay was faster and more intense than before.
Super Cobra was more challenging but also introduced a game-changing feature: for an extra coin, players could continue from where they left off, rather than restarting. This innovation became standard in arcades for years, but was revolutionary in 1981.
Despite its similarities to Scramble, Super Cobra became a classic, especially for players who loved fast-paced, action-heavy games with minimal story.
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Using a joystick, players navigated their chopper through ten side-scrolling levels, ending with a base. Separate buttons fired sidewinder missiles forward and dropped bombs below.
