Summary
- Release Year: 1987
- Genres: Arcade, Racing, Shooter
- Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Arcade, Atari Lynx, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS, ZX Spectrum
- Developers: Atari Corporation
- Publishers: Domark Ltd.
APB (1987): A Nostalgic Look at the Classic Arcade Police Simulator
Released in 1987, APB (“All Points Bulletin”) is an arcade game that puts players in the shoes of Officer Bob, a rookie police officer. As Bob, players drive around the city, ticketing motorists for minor infractions and pulling over more serious offenders. Eventually, players must apprehend criminals for which an all-points bulletin has been called.
APB was a groundbreaking game for its time, offering a unique and immersive police simulation experience. The game’s graphics were impressive for the time, and the gameplay was challenging and engaging. APB was also one of the first games to feature a fully realized city environment, complete with traffic, pedestrians, and buildings.
Gameplay
APB is played from a top-down perspective. Players control Officer Bob as he drives around the city in his police car. The game’s city is divided into several districts, each with its own unique challenges. Players must patrol the city, looking for motorists who are breaking the law.
When players spot a motorist who is breaking the law, they can pull them over and issue a ticket. Minor infractions, such as speeding or running a red light, result in a simple ticket. More serious offenses, such as reckless driving or driving under the influence, result in the offender being arrested.
In addition to ticketing motorists, players must also apprehend criminals. Criminals are identified by their wanted posters, which are displayed on the dashboard of Officer Bob’s police car. When players spot a wanted criminal, they must chase them down and arrest them.
Challenges
APB is a challenging game, especially in the later levels. As players progress through the game, they will encounter more and more criminals, and the criminals will become more difficult to apprehend. Players must use all of their skills and resources to track down and arrest the criminals.
In addition to the criminals, players must also contend with the city’s traffic. The city is always busy, and players must be careful not to get into accidents. Players must also be aware of the pedestrians, who can sometimes get in the way.
Legacy
APB was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, impressive graphics, and challenging difficulty. APB was also one of the first games to feature a fully realized city environment, which set a new standard for future games.
APB has been ported to several home consoles, including the NES, Commodore 64, and Atari ST. The game has also been released on several mobile platforms. APB remains a popular game today, and it is still enjoyed by many retro gamers.
Conclusion
APB is a classic arcade game that offers a unique and immersive police simulation experience. The game’s challenging gameplay, impressive graphics, and fully realized city environment make it a must-play for fans of retro gaming and police simulators.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
