Narc (video game)
| Industry | Video games, arcade games |
|---|---|
| Products | Narc (arcade game) |
Narc (presented as NARC) is a 1988 arcade run-and-gun title developed by Eugene Jarvis for Williams Electronics with programming by George Petro, Todd Allen, and Jarvis himself. The visual design was created by Jack Haeger, John Newcomer, and Lin Young. Recognized as one of the earliest video games to exhibit extreme violence, it encountered substantial backlash from parents. Players take on the roles of agents tasked with apprehending and eliminating drug offenders, seizing their illicit goods, and ultimately confronting the criminal mastermind known as "Mr. Big." This game marked the launch of Williams Electronics’ revitalized arcade division following their acquisition of Bally/Midway’s video and pinball sectors.
Ports of Narc were developed for various systems including the Commodore 64, Atari ST, Amiga, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, and Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The franchise saw a revival in 2005 with a new installment for Xbox and PlayStation 2; however, a GameCube version was planned but never released.
Gameplay
Players assume control of either Max Force or Hit Man, operatives assigned by Spencer Williams from the Narcotics Opposition unit to dismantle Mr. Big’s clandestine drug trafficking and terrorist operations.
Armed with automatic firearms and missile launchers, players engage with enemies ranging from addicted users to dealers and crime lords. Enemies eliminated by missiles explode in graphic fashion. Certain adversaries can be arrested upon surrendering; securing arrests grants more points at level completion compared to kills. Additionally, confiscated narcotics and cash contribute to the player’s score tally.
Technical details
The arcade version utilizes a "medium resolution monitor," which provides greater pixel density than standard televisions or arcade displays but in a more compact format.
Narc was pioneering as the first arcade game to incorporate the Texas Instruments TMS34010, a 32-bit microprocessor featuring integrated graphics instructions. This processor was subsequently employed in other notable titles such as Smash TV, Mortal Kombat, and NBA Jam.
Ports
Released in August 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, the NES edition of NARC was developed by Rare and published by Acclaim Entertainment. It was promoted as "the first video game with a strong anti-drug message," although Nintendo mandated the removal of all direct drug references from gameplay. Despite this censorship, much of the original violence and gore remained intact.
Most computer versions featured music adapted by Tony Williams ("Sound Images"), while David Wise handled the NES adaptation of the arcade soundtrack. Additionally, some music from NARC was utilized in the Game Boy version of Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Reception
Across platforms, Narc generally received favorable critiques for its intense action sequences and captivating gameplay but drew some criticism for repetitive elements. Review scores included 9/10 from CRASH, 8/10 from Sinclair User, and 72% from Your Sinclair. Matt Bielby of Your Sinclair labeled it "one of the most objectionable Speccy games" due to its repetitive nature and weak storyline. As one of the earliest games to depict bloodshed, it became a focal point for parental concern.
Legacy
In 1990, Acclaim produced a handheld LCD version of NARC.
The game's main theme, composed by Brian L. Schmidt, was recorded by the band Pixies and released as a B-side on their 1990 single "Planet of Sound".
A brief appearance of NARC occurs in the 1990 movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, where teenagers are shown playing it.
Characters such as Max Force, Dr. Spike Rush, Joe Rockhead, and Mr. Big were featured in the animated series The Power Team.
The game is included in the compilation Midway Arcade Treasures 2 (2004) and its soundtrack appears in Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, another title known for its graphic violence.
2005 game
The 2005 follow-up, created by VIS Entertainment and released by Midway for Xbox, PlayStation 2, and Microsoft Windows (with the European version handled by Point of View), featured players assuming the roles of narcotics officer Jack Forzenski (voiced by Michael Madsen) and DEA agent Marcus Hill (voiced by Bill Bellamy). The narrative focuses on probing a newly emerged drug known as Liquid Soul. Players engage in apprehending dealers and confiscating narcotics, with the option to either secure evidence or keep items that enhance gameplay elements such as weapon precision. Additionally, the game provides the opportunity to engage in drug dealing to generate income.
A press announcement dated March 21, 2005, emphasized the game's shipment and its development aimed at a "mature audience." It was assigned an M rating.