Electrocop (1989-)

• Developer: Epyx

• Publisher: Atari

• Genre: Action

Electrocop was developed by Epyx and released in 1989 as one of the Atari Lynx’s launch titles, with Atari acting as publisher. It was exclusive to the handheld and has never been ported to other systems, making it a showcase of what the Lynx could offer in its early years. Designed as a futuristic action game, it stood apart from typical arcade conversions by presenting a side-scrolling, pseudo-3D environment that emphasized the handheld’s ability to deliver advanced visuals and smooth animation.

The game casts players as the titular Electrocop, a robotic law enforcer tasked with rescuing a kidnapped presidential daughter from a criminal overlord known as the Criminal Brain. Set within a giant fortress, the game requires players to navigate long, maze-like corridors filled with robotic enemies and hazards. The premise carried inspiration from sci-fi action films of the 1980s, echoing themes of cybernetic lawmen and oppressive dystopias, not unlike Robocop or Judge Dredd. The atmosphere leaned heavily on its futuristic setting, giving players the sense of being trapped inside a high-tech gauntlet.

Gameplay involved running, shooting, and solving light puzzles while managing limited resources. The Lynx’s hardware allowed for large character sprites and fluid movement across scrolling hallways, which gave the game an advanced look for its time. Players could collect weapons, blast through security doors, and interact with terminals, including minigames that broke up the action. These sequences added variety, tasking players with hacking or manipulating electronic systems to advance. The audio offered short repeating themes and sharp sound effects for gunfire, enemy destruction, and alerts, all contributing to the sense of tension within the futuristic complex.

Electrocop did not have a prequel or sequel, though it has often been remembered as one of the more ambitious early Lynx games. Atari promoted it as part of the handheld’s initial line-up, emphasizing its advanced graphics and smooth action in advertisements and demonstrations. Reception at the time was mixed to positive: many praised its visuals, scale, and innovation, while others found its repetitive corridors and limited variety hampered long-term appeal. Today, Electrocop is recognized as a curiosity within the Lynx library, notable for showcasing the system’s technical capabilities and its willingness to experiment with original, futuristic game concepts.

Images from MobyGames