Narc (video game)

Narc
Arcade flyer
DeveloperWilliams Electronics
PublisherWilliams Electronics
DirectorNathaniel Davies
DesignerEugene Jarvis
ProgrammersGeorge N. Petro
Todd Allen
Eugene Jarvis
Composer
Brian L. Schmidt
Marc LoCascio ("NARC Rap")
PlatformsArcade, NES, ZX Spectrum, Amiga, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64
Release
December 1988
  • Arcade
    • NA: December 1988
    NES
    • NA: April 1990
    ZX Spectrum
    • UK: November 1990
    Amiga, Atari ST, C64
    CPC
GenreRun and gun
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemWilliams Z-Unit

Narc (stylized as NARC) is a 1988 run and gun video game developed and published by Williams Electronics for 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 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 Bally/Midway.

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