APB - All Points Bulletin (rev 7)

Arcade Video game published 37 years ago:

APB - All Points Bulletin (c) 1987 Atari Games Corporation.

Players take on the role of policeman 'Officer Bob' as he takes to his patrol car and drives the streets in pursuit of lawbreakers. The object of the game is to meet (or preferably exceed) the daily quota of 'busts', as he tries to catch a variety of law-breakers.

Along the way, players must refuel their patrol car (by driving through filling stations) as well as meeting targets within a set time limit. Any accidental collisions or running over of pedestrians will result in the player earning 'de-merits', while a 'perfect day' will earn bonuses, with further bonuses awarded for each arrest made that exceeds the daily quota. Picking up donuts extends the time limit for a day.

- TECHNICAL -

The cabinet looks like a police patrol car and the top marquee is a red/blue light bar that flashes when you push the siren button. A simple platform seat can be attached to the cabinet to make a sit-down type game.

Cabinet dimensions : 73.75" (187cm) High x 25.5" (65cm) Wide x 34" (86cm) Deep.
Cabinet with seat dimensions : 73.75" (187cm) High x 25.5" (65cm) Wide x 56" (142cm) Deep.

Game ID: 136051

Runs on the "Atari System 2" hardware.

Players: 1
Control: steering wheel, accelerator pedal
Buttons: 2

- TRIVIA -

APB was released in July 1987. The game enjoyed moderate success in the marketplace, as most Atari games did. It's high-resolution graphics and novel cabinet design, with the flashing lights atop, added to it's initial appeal.

2,000 units were produced in the USA. The selling price was $2,995.

APB was Dave Theurer's last game at Atari Games. He went on to work on the 'DeBabelizer' for Macromedia with other Atari alumni. Other games by Dave include "Missile Command", "Tempest" and "I, Robot".

Greg Gibson holds the record for this game with 1,002,324 points on January 23, 1988.

- TIPS AND TRICKS -

* Warp:
When you start a new game, you may press the Siren button and start to get a Level 1-8 warp, or press Gun+Siren and start to get a Level 1-16 warp.

* High scores scrolling:
Right on the joystick to scroll down and Left to scroll up.

* During the preliminary level where you have to 'arrest' cones, to beat the timer and get the bonus after you arrest enough cones you can do a 180 and return to the start the way you came.

* 'SPOILER' All criminals:
Day 03, FREDDY FREAK, Small town USA bar ($1,000).
Day 05, CANDY GOODBODY, Dead man Corner bar ($2,000).
Day 07, BERNIE GASMAN, Highway 20 Forest Bar ($3,000).
Day 09, PHILLIP FUSE, Highway 30 overpass ($4,000).
Day 11, COOL HAND DUKE, Highway 00 in drinkerstown ($5,000).
Day 13, BUZZ GEIGER, Highway 40 past GasnGrub ($6,000).
Day 15, JOE KORNCOB, Highway 44 near GasnGrub ($7,000).
Day 17, LUIGI DE MUCCIO, Highway 50 at Milk Toast ($8,000).
Day 19, DICK SLOB, Highway 70 near aquaduct ($9,000).
Day 21, IGGY DINGDONG, Highway 70 ($10,000).
Day 23, JUAN FINGERS, Highway 70 Alpine Flats ($11,000).
Day 25, HANS OOP, Highway 99 Cactus Falls ($12,000).
Day 27, FAKE FRANK, Highway 10 Police Station ($13,000).
Day 29, SID SNIPER, Highway 70 overpass ($14,000).
Day 31, BILLY BOB JACK, Highway 50 near bar ($15,000).

- STAFF -

Designer: Mike Hally (MLH)
Programmer: Dave Theurer (DFT)
Graphic Designers: Alan Murphy (AJM), Mark West (MLW)
Sound Designers: Brad Fuller (BAF), Hal Canon (HLC), Earl Vickers (EAR)
Software Support: Russel Dawe (RBD), John Salwitz (JFS), Robert Weatherby (ROB)
Project Leader: Chris Downend (CAD)
Technician: Cris Drobny (CJD)
Marketing: Linda Benzler (LIB)
Hardware Support: Gary Stempler (GAS)
Management: Lyle Rains (LYL), Rich Moore (RCM), Dan Van Elderen (DAN)

- PORTS -

* CONSOLES:
[AU] Sony PlayStation 2 (2004) "Midway Arcade Treasures 2"
[US] Microsoft XBOX (oct.11, 2004) "Midway Arcade Treasures 2 [Model MWO-3201W]"
[US] Nintendo GameCube (oct.11, 2004) "Midway Arcade Treasures 2 [Model DOL-GAYE-USA]"
[US] Sony PS2 (oct.11, 2004) "Midway Arcade Treasures 2 [Model SLUS-20997]"
[EU] Microsoft XBOX (oct.29, 2004) "Midway Arcade Treasures 2"
[EU] Sony PS2 (oct.29, 2004) "Midway Arcade Treasures 2 [Model SLES-52844]"
[US] Microsoft XBOX 360 (nov.6, 2012) "Midway Arcade Origins"
[US] Sony PlayStation 3 (nov.6, 2012) "Midway Arcade Origins [Model BLUS-31083]"
[EU] Microsoft XBOX 360 (nov.15, 2012) "Midway Arcade Origins"
[EU] Sony PlayStation 3 (nov.15, 2012) "Midway Arcade Origins [Model BLES-01768]"

* HANDHELDS:
[EU] Atari Lynx (1991)
[US] Atari Lynx (1991) "A.P.B. [Model PA2042]"

* COMPUTERS:
[EU] Commodore C64 (1989)
[EU] Sinclair ZX Spectrum (1989)
[EU] Atari ST (1989)
[EU] Amstrad CPC (1989)
[EU] Commodore Amiga (1989)
PC [MS-DOS] [US] (1989)
[US] PC [MS Windows, CD-ROM] (feb.17, 2006) "Midway Arcade Treasures Deluxe Edition"