Introduction
Released in 1981, Armored Car is a top-down maze driving arcade game developed by Stern Electronics. Combining elements of Pac-Man and Spy Hunter, players navigate city streets in an armored car, collecting money while evading enemy vehicles. Its mix of strategic driving and resource management made it a distinctive entry in the early 1980s arcade landscape.
Development and History
- Developer: Stern Electronics
- Publisher: Stern Electronics
- Release Date: 1981
- Hardware: Stern custom hardware
Armored Car was designed and released during the height of the maze game craze, following the explosive popularity of Pac-Man. Stern, known for Berzerk and other arcade hits, sought to blend that formula with vehicle-based action. It was one of the earliest games to introduce the concept of managing fuel alongside navigation.
Gameplay Video
Gameplay and Mechanics
Players control an armored car that must collect bags of money from various checkpoints while avoiding enemy cars and navigating city streets.
Key gameplay features:
- Top-down maze layout with roads, alleys, and checkpoints
- Fuel management: players must collect fuel cans to avoid running out
- Traffic and enemy vehicles block paths and pursue the player
- Oil slicks can be deployed to spin out enemy cars
- Bonus points awarded for collecting all money bags and reaching the goal
The game increases in speed and enemy aggressiveness with each level, requiring both planning and fast reactions.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
While not as iconic as some of Stern’s other titles, Armored Car still made its mark:
- A unique early blend of maze and vehicular gameplay
- Helped inspire later driving/maze hybrids like City Connection and Bump ’n’ Jump
- Frequently seen in early ’80s arcade lineups, though it didn’t reach the hit status of Berzerk or Scramble
- Appeared in early multi-game compilation cabinets and emulation collections
Fun Facts
- Armored Car included a fuel gauge—rare for arcade games at the time
- The game’s difficulty ramp was notable, with faster, more aggressive AI by level 3
- Some cabinets featured distinctive red side art with a stylized armored van
- It was among the first Stern games to incorporate voice effects and alert sounds
- The oil slick mechanic predates similar defensive driving features in later games
Conclusion
Armored Car stands out as a creative mix of maze strategy and driving reflexes during the early arcade boom. Though it never achieved blockbuster fame, it carved out a niche among fans of fast-paced, multitasking gameplay.