Summary
- Release Year: 1983
- Genres: Puzzle, Racing
- Platforms: Atari 2600
- Developers: 20th Century Fox Games
- Publishers: 20th Century Fox Games
Bank Heist (1983): A Classic Maze Game for the Atari 2600
Bank Heist is a maze video game published by 20th Century Fox for the Atari 2600. Released in 1983, it’s a simple but addictive game that challenges players to rob banks while avoiding the police.
Gameplay
Each level in Bank Heist is a maze-like city, similar to Pac-Man. The player controls a car called the Getaway Car, which has a limited amount of fuel. The objective of the game is to rob as many banks as possible while avoiding the police.
To rob a bank, simply drive the Getaway Car into it. This will cause a cop car to appear, as well as another bank. Up to three cars can be present in a city at a time.
The Getaway Car can be destroyed by running out of fuel, being hit by dynamite, or hitting a cop car. The player starts out with four spare cars (lives).
Controls
The Getaway Car is controlled with the joystick. The left and right buttons move the car left and right, respectively. The up button accelerates the car, and the down button brakes the car.
The A button drops dynamite out the tail pipe of the Getaway Car. Dynamite can be used to destroy cop cars and banks, but it can also destroy the Getaway Car if it’s too close.
Difficulty Settings
Bank Heist has two difficulty settings, which can be adjusted with the difficulty switches on the front of the console.
The left difficulty switch alters how hard the game is. When the switch is set to A, the cop cars are smarter in catching the Getaway Car; when it’s set to B, enemy cars move in a more set pattern.
The right difficulty switch alters how the banks appear. When the switch is set to A, the banks appear in random spots; when the switch is set to B, the banks appear in preset locations.
Tips for Playing Bank Heist
- Conserve your fuel. The Getaway Car has a limited amount of fuel, so it’s important to conserve it whenever possible. Avoid driving in circles or making unnecessary movements.
- Use dynamite wisely. Dynamite can be used to destroy cop cars and banks, but it can also destroy the Getaway Car if it’s too close. Only use dynamite when necessary.
- Learn the maze. The best way to avoid the police is to learn the maze and plan your escape routes.
- Rob banks in succession. If you can rob nine banks in one city, you’ll earn an extra car. This can be a great way to build up your supply of lives.
Legacy
Bank Heist was a popular game in its day, and it’s still enjoyed by retro gaming fans today. It’s a simple but challenging game that’s easy to learn but difficult to master.
Bank Heist has been praised for its addictive gameplay, challenging difficulty, and simple but effective graphics. It’s a classic Atari 2600 game that’s still worth playing today.
Additional Information
- Bank Heist was one of the first games to use the Atari 2600’s “difficulty switches.” These switches allowed players to adjust the difficulty of the game, making it more accessible to players of all skill levels.
- Bank Heist was also one of the first games to feature destructible environments. Players could use dynamite to destroy cop cars and banks, which added an extra layer of strategy to the game.
- Bank Heist was ported to the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and MSX computers. However, these ports were not as well-received as the Atari 2600 original.
Conclusion
Bank Heist is a classic maze game for the Atari 2600. It’s a simple but addictive game that challenges players to rob banks while avoiding the police. With its challenging difficulty, addictive gameplay, and simple but effective graphics, Bank Heist is a game that’s still worth playing today.
Review Score
7/10
Reviews
Guides
- Bank Heist FAQ/Walkthrough
- Bank Heist Guide
- Bank Heist Strategy Guide
- Bank Heist (Atari 2600) Gameplay and Guide
- Bank Heist (Atari 2600) Review and Guide
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Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
