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.

Gameplay

The object of the game is to meet (or exceed) the daily quota of citing or arresting various types of law-breakers within a time limit for the day. 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. The player receives "demerits" for accidental collisions, running over pedestrians, and failing to make quota. The player gains bonuses for a "perfect day" and each arrest over the quota. Picking up donuts extends the time limit for a day. Driving through filling stations refuels the patrol car.

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 arresting fugitive felons. Every other day, starting on the third day, the player can go after an A.P.B. ("All Points Bulletin"). When a fugitive is caught and returned to the station, the player must "persuade" (i.e., 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 the demerit limit is reached, the game shows the player being pulled over and cuffed by other officers with the message "TOO MANY DEMERITS. YOU ARE FIRED."

The game cabinet is generally 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.

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.

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)

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.

See also

• A.P.B., a new game currently in development by Real Time Worlds

External links

• Contemporary reviews at Solvalou.com
• A collectors restoration page for A.P.B.