Army Men: Air Attack

Army Men: Air Attack is a 1999 helicopter-action game developed and published by The 3DO Company as part of its prolific Army Men franchise, which dramatized the battles of green plastic toy soldiers. Released for the PlayStation and later other platforms, it shifts the series away from ground infantry combat to put the player in the cockpit of a Green Nation gunship. Across a series of missions players pilot helicopters over kitchen tables, gardens, sandboxes and other oversized everyday environments, strafing Tan Army troops and vehicles, rescuing stranded soldiers, escorting convoys and destroying enemy installations. The game emphasises arcade-style flying and shooting, with multiple selectable choppers, upgradable weapons such as machine guns, rockets and special ordnance, and co-operative two-player play in which a second pilot or gunner joins the action. Like the wider Army Men line, it leans on the novelty of toy-scale warfare and a light, comic tone. Reception was generally modest, with critics enjoying the change of pace and the playful settings but noting repetitive objectives and the rough edges typical of 3DO's high-volume output. It spawned a sequel and remains a recognisable spin-off from one of the late-1990s' most heavily marketed budget franchises. It was followed by Army Men: Air Attack 2, continuing the helicopter-action sub-series within the wider franchise.