APB (1987 video game)

Atari Games

Industry	Video game development and publishing
Founded	1984 (1984)
Products	APB (1987 arcade game)

APB, an abbreviation for All Points Bulletin, is an arcade title launched in 1987 by Atari Games. Players take on the role of "Officer Bob," a novice police officer assigned to issue citations for minor traffic violations and capture criminals identified in all-points bulletins.

The arcade machine is designed to resemble a police cruiser, equipped with a gas pedal, steering wheel, siren button, and flashing red and blue lights. Its lighthearted graphics and comedic elements were well-received, although some reviewers noted the gameplay's difficulty, which was partly due to a prolonged development period.

In 1989, versions were made available for platforms including the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. These ports were chiefly developed by Tengen and distributed by Domark. A handheld adaptation for the Atari Lynx was released two years later, in 1991.

Gameplay

Players navigate Officer Bob’s patrol vehicle (#54) from a top-down perspective, controlling acceleration and steering. The goal is to fulfill daily targets by issuing tickets or making arrests within a set time frame. Achieving perfect days or exceeding arrest quotas grants bonus rewards. Collecting donuts extends the timer; refueling is done at gas stations; upgrades such as improved brakes, firearms, armor, and radar systems can be purchased at the Speed Shop.

The initial stage involves maneuvering on a closed track while using the siren to navigate around marked cones. Beginning with Day 2, players must issue citations for minor offenses like littering by pulling over designated vehicles associated with specific violations. Speeding is introduced later and can be committed by any vehicle. Additional infractions include road rage, driving under the influence, and drug use.

From Day 3 onward, and on every alternate day thereafter, players engage in pursuits of A.P.B. suspects linked to serious crimes such as drug trafficking, prostitution rings, terrorism activities, arson, or nuclear material theft. After apprehending suspects, players must obtain confessions before the Chief arrives by rapidly alternating button presses to fill a "Confess-O-Meter." Securing confessions leads to rank advancement; failure results in penalties for excessive force.

The game concludes when the demerit meter reaches capacity. Demerits accumulate due to collisions with cones or vehicles when the siren is off, firing at innocent cars, hitting pedestrians or donut stands, running out of fuel after meeting daily targets, unsuccessful confession attempts, explosions caused by dynamite strikes, impacts with trains or obstacles, and failed jumps over construction gaps. Demerits can be lowered through high scores, days without penalties, or rare in-game bonuses.

Not meeting daily quotas results in humorous scoldings from the Chief along with additional demerits proportional to unissued tickets. On A.P.B. days, capturing suspects successfully negates penalties from failing quotas. Achieving quotas prompts a return to headquarters accompanied by positive feedback from the Chief.

The arcade cabinet features conventional upright controls: a steering wheel, siren button, firearm trigger button, accelerator pedal, and flashing lights activated via the siren button. Certain units include removable seats allowing conversion into sit-down play mode.

Development

The development cycle for APB was significantly prolonged, as ongoing enhancements such as the integration of in-game shops contributed to the complexity of the final version, according to statements from the development team.

Reception

The title experienced moderate commercial performance, aided by its high-definition visuals and a distinctive arcade cabinet adorned with flashing lights. While its escalating difficulty level occasionally caused player frustration, the game's cartoon-style graphics, comedic elements, and innovative gameplay were well-received by publications including Your Sinclair, Computer and Video Games, and Crash, which praised it for offering a refreshing alternative to standard arcade games.

In a retrospective assessment, Paul Biondich of Allgame remarked that APB's gameplay retained its appeal over time, with its unique cabinet design and graphical presentation remaining impressive even ten years after release. He also highlighted the game's complexity, challenging progression, and strong replayability.

Atari Lynx

The adaptation for the Atari Lynx garnered favorable critiques: CVG Magazine assigned it a score of 88 out of 100, while IGN’s Robert A. Jung rated it 8.5 out of 10, describing it as a "respectable port" featuring adequate gameplay alongside appropriate sound and visual elements. Raze Magazine gave it an 83% rating, commending its vibrant graphics and humor but mentioning some challenges in mastering the gameplay.

Legacy

APB was featured in the compilation Midway Arcade Treasures 2 for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox platforms, as well as in Midway Arcade Treasures Deluxe Edition for Microsoft Windows. It was subsequently reissued within the 2012 collection titled Midway Arcade Origins.

External links

• APB at the Arcade History database