A video game causing controversy back in 1985? Yep, it happened. Cops ‘n’ Robbers flipped the script and starred the robber, and not the cops. This week we’re taking a look at the exciting yet maybe not so hot video game on the Commodore 64.
Cops ‘n’ Robbers was created by Mike Davis and published by Atlantis Software. (I love looking back at some of these old games because, “who??” But if it weren’t for these guys, we wouldn’t have had all the awesome times we had back in the 80s.)
The premise of this game is simple. You play a diamond thief who mustn’t get caught by the cops, or killed by the ghosts. Simple. Although the very idea that the robber went around killing cops was not a popular mechanic and therefore ended up killing the franchise before it could even become one. Not to mention, game reviewers also massacred the game’s graphics and animations. But come on, it was 1985. And us kids loved playing “Cops and Robbers” in real life, outside in the yard of course, with our friends. And contrary to whatever controversy, we did love being the bad guys too.
Alright, so now onto the gameplay.
My biggest memory of this game honestly is sitting on the floor in my parents’ home office, watching my mom play it on the Commodore 64. Did I play it? Yes! But I was way too young to actually understand the premise. I do remember the helicopter flying around the level and being thrown in jail if it actually hit you.
To start the game, your character (the robber) parks his car and proceeds to steal diamonds from either the diamond mine, or the Acme Diamond Company. When I was a kid, I actually thought the diamond company was a department store because of all the plants placed around the level. So, we learn something new every day!
Each of these locations has multiple levels and lots of obstacles to run from. The police patrol the main area (outdoors) and the diamond company. But inside the mines? Ghosts. And these ghosts are not so forgiving. Once hit by one of these bad boys, you’re going straight to the morgue.
The overall objective to win the game is to collect and return as many diamonds as possible to the trunk of your parked vehicle outside. Again, simple. The game itself wasn’t a hit, but it sure developed its own little cult following. Folks on the Commodore 64 sites and forums remember having a blast playing it. And honestly, my memories are nothing but fun and exciting.
In regards to an online emulator to link to, I can’t for the life of me find one that has this game. If you happen to come across one, let me know! And I’d gladly post it here for all to give the game a try.