A.P.B. (arcade game)
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| A.P.B. | |
|---|---|
 A.P.B. screenshot |
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| Developer(s) | Atari Games |
| Publisher(s) | Atari Games |
| Platform(s) | Arcade, Amiga, Atari Lynx, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum |
| Release date | Arcade 1987 Amiga, Atari ST, C64, ZX Spectrum 1989 |
| Genre(s) | Vehicular combat |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Input methods | Steering wheel, siren button, "fire" button, accelerator pedal |
| Cabinet | Standard and sit-down (convertible) |
| Display | Vertical orientation, 19", Raster, medium resolution |
A.P.B. ("All Points Bulletin") is a 1987 arcade game by Atari Games. In the game, the player assumes the role of "Officer Bob," a rookie police officer. It was developed during the Golden Age of Arcade Games.
Contents |
[edit] Gameplay
The object of the game is to meet (or exceed) the daily quota of busting various types of law-breakers. The player is given an overhead view of Officer Bob's patrol car, number 54. The player controls the car with a gas pedal and a steering wheel. Along the way, the player must refuel the patrol car (by driving through filling stations) and beat the time limit for the day. The player gets "demerits" for accidental collisions, running over pedestrians, failing to make quota, bonuses for a "perfect day" and each arrest over the quota. Picking up donuts extends the time limit for a day.
The game begins by having the player ticket common misdemeanor infractors (such as those littering) by pulling up behind them, pushing the siren button and having them pull over. Eventually, the game gives the player the task of ticketing serious criminals. Every other day, starting on the third day, the player can go after an A.P.B. ("All Points Bulletin"). When a criminal is caught and returned to the station, the player must "persuade" (that is, beat) a confession out of them before the Captain enters the room. This is done by filling the "Confess-O-Meter" by tapping alternatively on the "fire" and "siren" buttons.
The game ends when the player reaches his demerit maximum. When this happens, it shows the player being pulled over and cuffed by other officers with the message "TOO MANY DEMERITS. YOU'RE FIRED."
The game cabinet is more or less a standard upright. The main controls consist of a steering wheel, a siren button, a "fire" button (gun) and an accelerator pedal. The cabinet has two lights on top, red and blue, which flash when the player presses the siren button. The cabinet has a detachable seat which can be used to convert the cabinet into a sit-down game.
[edit] Popularity
The game enjoyed moderate success in the marketplace, as most Atari games did. Its high-resolution graphics and novel cabinet design, with the flashing lights atop, added to its initial appeal.[citation needed]
[edit] Hardware
A.P.B.'s system hardware used the Atari System 2, including:
- CPUs: T11 (10 MHz), 6502 (2.2 MHz)
- Sound: YM2151 (3.579545 MHz), 2 x POKEY (1.789772 MHz), TMS5220 (625.00 kHz)
[edit] Ports
A.P.B. was ported to several home computer systems. These ports were mostly developed by Tengen and published by Domark. It was also made available on Atari Lynx, GameCube, Playstation 2 and Xbox as part of Midway Arcade Treasures 2 and PC as part of Midway Arcade Treasures Deluxe Edition.
[edit] See also
- A.P.B., a new game currently in development by Real Time Worlds
[edit] External links
- A.P.B. at the Killer List of Videogames
- A.P.B. at MobyGames
- A.P.B. at World of Spectrum
- Contemporary reviews at Solvalou.com
- A collectors restoration page for A.P.B.
