APB (1987)

by Christopher May 5, 2024

written by Christopher May 5, 2024 5 minutes read

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

Christopher

Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.