Crime Wave

About

Crime Wave is a 1983 arcade game where you play a police officer patrolling a grid-based city to intercept fleeing robbers. The screen shows a map of streets with criminals moving in predetermined paths. You navigate your cruiser by inputting coordinates to match their positions before they escape the grid. The challenge comes from limited movement options and tight time constraints. Each level increases the number of targets you must track and capture in sequence. What sets Crime Wave apart is its stripped-down, cerebral design that leans into early 80s computing limits. With minimal graphics and no frills, it focuses purely on strategic timing and spatial reasoning. The Apple II version retains the same straightforward mechanics as the arcade original, offering quick matches that test reflexes and pattern recognition. A relic of pre-sprite era gaming, it appeals to players who enjoy puzzle-like arcade challenges with no hand-holding.