Narc (video game)

2025-09-23T20:02:49Z

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{{Short description|1988 video game}}
{{Multiple issues|{{Refimprove|date=August 2025}}{{No footnotes|date=August 2025}}}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Narc
|image = Narc arcade flyer.png
|caption = Arcade flyer
|developer = [[WMS Industries|Williams Electronics]]{{efn|Ported to the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] by [[Rare (company)|Rare]].}}
|publisher = Williams Electronics{{efn|[[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] version published by [[Acclaim Entertainment]].}}
|director = Nathaniel Davies
|designer = [[Eugene Jarvis]]
|programmer = George N. Petro<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8809 |title=NARC |publisher=The International Arcade Museum |access-date=6 Oct 2013}}</ref> Todd Allen Eugene Jarvis
|composer = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Brian L. Schmidt]] Marc LoCascio ("NARC Rap")}}|'''NES''' [[David Wise (composer)|David Wise]] '''Amiga, Atari ST''' Tony Williams}}
|platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Commodore 64]]
|release = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|December 1988}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|NA|December 1988<ref>{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971–2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=140 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n141/mode/2up}}</ref>}} '''NES'''{{vgrelease|NA|April 1990<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/c8542bc3-42c3-46d5-aa4e-74b294bbcfc6 |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=9 |issue=2 |date=May 1990 |page=14}}</ref>}} '''ZX Spectrum'''{{vgrelease|UK|November 1990<ref>{{cite magazine |author= |date=November 1990 |title=Drug Busters! |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-82/page/n29/mode/1up?view=theater |magazine=[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]] |publisher=[[Newsfield]] |issue=82 |page=30}}</ref>}} '''Amiga, Atari ST, C64'''{{vgrelease|NA/EU|1990}} '''CPC'''{{vgrelease|EU|1990}}
}}
|genre = [[Run and gun (video game)|Run and gun]]
|modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
|arcade system = Williams Z-Unit
}}

'''''Narc''''' (stylized as '''''NARC''''') is a 1988 [[run and gun (video game)|run and gun]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[WMS Industries|Williams Electronics]] for [[arcade video game|arcades]]. The game was designed by [[Eugene Jarvis]] and programmed by George Petro, Todd Allen, and Jarvis, with art by Jack Haeger, John Newcomer, and Lin Young. It was one of the first [[violence and video games|ultra-violent video games]] and a frequent target of parental criticism of the [[video game industry]]. The object is to arrest and kill drug offenders, confiscate their money and drugs, and defeat "Mr. Big". It was the first game in the newly restarted Williams Electronics coin-op video game division. Shortly before its release, Williams acquired the video and pinball divisions of [[Midway Games|Bally/Midway]].

''Narc'' was ported to the [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari ST]], [[Amiga]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Amstrad CPC]], and [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]. In 2005, the franchise was re-launched with a new game for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and [[PlayStation 2]]; a [[GameCube]] version of said game was planned, but was ultimately scrapped.

==Gameplay==
[[Image:ARC NARC (The Junkyard).png|thumb|left|Arcade screenshot]]

The game's main characters are Max Force and Hit Man, who have received a memo from Spencer Williams, Narcotics Opposition chairman in [[Washington, D.C.]], dispatching them on Project NARC. Their mission is to apprehend Mr. Big, head of an [[organized crime|underground]] [[drug trafficking]] and [[terrorism|terrorist]] organization.

The player controls either Max Force or Hit Man, who shoot or arrest [[drug addiction|junkies]], drug dealers, and organized crime kingpins. Max and Hit are each equipped with an automatic weapon and a missile launcher. When an enemy is dispatched using the latter, they explode in a torrent of scorched and bloody appendages. Some enemies can be arrested after they surrender and then float away with "busted" over them. This is then added to a tally at the end of the level along with drugs and money confiscated from other enemies that they dropped when gunned down (the game awards more points at the end of a round for arresting enemies without killing them).

==Hardware==
The arcade game uses what is termed a "medium resolution monitor": higher resolution than televisions and normal arcade monitors, but in a smaller physical size.

''Narc'' is the first arcade game to use the [[Texas Instruments]] [[TMS34010]],{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}} a 32-bit processor with graphics-oriented instructions built-in. It was later used in ''[[Smash TV]]'', ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'', and ''[[NBA Jam]]''.

==Ports==
The 1990 [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) version of ''Narc'', published by [[Acclaim Entertainment]] and developed by [[Rare (company)|Rare]], was billed as "the first video game with a strong anti-drug message."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.world-of-nintendo.com/manuals/nes/narc.shtml |title=NES Instruction Manuals: NARC |publisher=World-of-nintendo.com |date=1997-01-17 |access-date=2012-09-20}}</ref> However, [[Nintendo]] forced all drug references to be removed from the actual gameplay, although it still retained most of its violence and gore.

Most of the computer ports had their music ported by Tony Williams (credited as "Sound Images"), and [[David Wise (composer)|David Wise]] ported the arcade music to the NES.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}} The [[Game Boy]] version of ''[[Terminator 2 (Game Boy video game)|Terminator 2]]'' uses some music from ''Narc''.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}

==Reception==
{{Expand section|date=September 2025}}
{{Video game reviews
| award1Pub = ''Crash''
| award1 = Crash Smash<ref>Game review, Crash magazine, [[Newsfield Publications]], issue 83, December 1990</ref>
}}
All the versions of the game generally received positive reviews, being praised for its intense action and enjoyable gameplay, but criticism for its repetitiveness, including 9/10 from ''[[CRASH (magazine)|CRASH]]'', 8/10 from ''[[Sinclair User]]'',{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} and 72% from ''[[Your Sinclair]]''. Matt Bielby of ''Your Sinclair'' called it "one of the most objectionable Speccy games I've seen in ages", and called it "repetitive" and the plot "utter nonsense."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/narc.htm |title=NARC |publisher=Ysrnry.co.uk |access-date=2012-09-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326130348/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/narc.htm |archive-date=2012-03-26 }}</ref> However, due to being one of the first games to feature blood, it has been a target of concerns and criticism from parents.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}

==Legacy==
In 1990, Acclaim released ''Narc'' as a handheld LCD game.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}

The game's main theme by [[Brian L. Schmidt]] was recorded by American [[alternative rock]] band [[Pixies (band)|Pixies]] and released as a B-side on their "[[Planet of Sound]]" single in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pixiesmusic.com/song/theme-from-narc/ |title=Theme from Narc |access-date=2019-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520001700/http://www.pixiesmusic.com/song/theme-from-narc/ |archive-date=2015-05-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

''Narc'' was seen briefly in the 1990 film ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990 film)|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' as a group of teenagers were playing the game and fighting Mr. Big.

Max Force and villains Dr. Spike Rush, Joe Rockhead and Mr. Big appeared as characters in the cartoon ''[[The Power Team (TV series)|The Power Team]]''.

''Narc'' is included in the 2004 [[video game compilation|compilation]] ''[[Midway Arcade Treasures 2]]''.

''Narc'' is a song on the soundtrack of ''[[Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number]]'', another ultra-violent video game.

===2005 game===
A 2005 sequel was developed by [[VIS Entertainment]] and published by [[Midway Games|Midway]] for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[PlayStation 2]], and [[Windows]]. The Windows version, only released in Europe, was developed by Point of View.

The game casts the players as narcotics officer Jack Forzenski (voiced by [[Michael Madsen]]) and DEA agent Marcus Hill (voiced by [[Bill Bellamy]]), former partners reunited who are instructed to investigate a new drug on the streets called Liquid Soul. After arresting [[drug dealer|dealer]]s and confiscating their stock, the player can either take the confiscated items to the evidence room, or keep them for future use. This confers benefits such as improved weapons accuracy. Dealing drugs for financial benefit is also possible.

On March 21, 2005, a press release announced the game's shipment to retailers and emphasized that it was designed for an "older audience".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamingexcellence.com/xbox/news/20050321627.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120013231/http://www.gamingexcellence.com/xbox/news/20050321627.shtml|archive-date=2008-11-20|title=Midway Ships NARC for the Xbox}}</ref> The game was given an [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|M rating]].

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

*[http://www.jointogether.org/gv/news/summaries/reader/0%2C2061%2C576509%2C00.html Citing 'Narc,' Ill. Gov. Seeks Video-Game Sales Ban]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, Mar. 22, 2005.
*Johnson, Eric (a.k.a. VegitaBOD): [http://faqs.ign.com/articles/400/400655p1.html NARC Walkthrough/FAQ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050126143743/http://faqs.ign.com/articles/400/400655p1.html |date=2005-01-26 }}.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081120013231/http://www.gamingexcellence.com/xbox/news/20050321627.shtml Midway Ships NARC for the Xbox], Xbox News, Mar. 21, 2005.
*Morris, Chris: [https://money.cnn.com/2004/03/12/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/ Weed, speed and LSD – in a video game?], Mar. 12, 2004.
*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2602-2005Mar26.html NARC; God of War; Heritage of Kings: The Settlers], The Washington Post, Mar. 27, 2005.
*Pepin, Chris: [http://www.world-of-nintendo.com/manuals/nes/narc.shtml NARC NES manual].

==External links==
*{{KLOV game|id=8809|name=NARC}}
*[http://www.coinop.org/Game/100444/Narc Narc] on Coinop.org
*[http://www.gamespot.com/news/midway-solidifies-voice-cast-soundtrack-for-narc-6105783 Soundtrack Info]
*[http://games.gamepressure.com/game.asp?ID=1986 PC Game Source]

[[Category:1988 video games]]
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Amstrad CPC games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Atari ST games]]
[[Category:Cancelled GameCube games]]
[[Category:Censored video games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:Midway video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Ocean Software games]]
[[Category:Organized crime video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:Point of View games]]
[[Category:Run and gun games]]
[[Category:SCi Games games]]
[[Category:Video games about drugs]]
[[Category:Video games about police officers]]
[[Category:Video games about the illegal drug trade]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Brian L. Schmidt]]
[[Category:Video games scored by David Wise]]
[[Category:Video games with digitized sprites]]
[[Category:VIS Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Williams video games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Xbox games]]
[[Category:ZX Spectrum games]]

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Narc (video game)