Play NARC Online Free for Arcade.
NARC hits different when it boots instantly in your browser. Released in 1988 on the Arcade, this run and gun classic from Williams Electronics is ready the second you press start — no downloads, no setup.
It was the first game in the newly restarted Williams Electronics coin-op video game division. Narc is a 1988 run and gun video game developed and published by Williams Electronics for arcades.
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| Action | Keyboard | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| D-Pad Up | ↑ | D-Pad up |
| D-Pad Down | ↓ | D-Pad down |
| D-Pad Left | ← | D-Pad left |
| D-Pad Right | → | D-Pad right |
| B (bottom) | X | Bottom face |
| A (right) | Z | Right face |
| Y (left) | S | Left face |
| X (top) | A | Top face |
| L | Q | Left shoulder |
| R | E | Right shoulder |
| Start | Enter | Start |
| Insert Coin | V | Select |
⭐ Premium members can click any key below to remap this game's controls. Go Premium
| Action | Keyboard | Arcade input |
|---|---|---|
| Move | · · · · | Joystick (8-way) |
| Fire | · | Button 1 |
| Jump | · | Button 2 |
| Crouch | · | Button 3 |
| Rocket Bomb | · | Button 4 |
| Start | · | Start |
| Insert Coin | · | Select |
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Other Places You Can Get This Game
Love NARC? Own the real thing — these are legitimate places to buy official versions.
How to Play NARC
Here is how NARC is wired up in the browser player, whether you are on keys or a pad.
The Story Behind NARC
The system created with these chips could use 256 palettes of 256 colours for photorealistic 2D rendering. Walking and running motions were recorded on a treadmill. Each enemy in the game was portrayed by an actor in baggy costume, using concise loopable movements.
Earlier games were issued with "$100 bonus buck" which could be used to obtain a discount on other Williams machines. Narc was unveiled at the 1988 AMOA Expo, including a distributor meeting with actors dressed as the two main characters. The arcade game uses what is termed a "medium resolution monitor": higher resolution than televisions and normal arcade monitors, but in a smaller physical size.
How NARC Plays
The game includes a buy-in feature which could be used multiple times, but not in the final stage. Most of the computer ports had their music ported by Tony Williams (credited as "Sound Images"), and David Wise ported the arcade music to the NES. It was one of the first ultra-violent video games and a frequent target of parental criticism of the video game industry.
A reimagined version was announced to be in development in 2004. This version was developed by VIS Entertainment and published by Midway for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and Windows. Big, head of an underground drug trafficking and terrorist organization.
Why Players Still Load It Up
Narc is included in the 2004 compilation Midway Arcade Treasures 2. The NES version was also praised, but controls of most computer versions was found to be frustrating. Over 3,700 units of the arcade machine were sold.
Reviewing the arcade version, Sinclair User praised the graphics and the anti-drugs theme. One reviewer rated the game at 94%, and another rated it at 95%, with both calling it the best coin-op conversion of 1990, and one calling it the best game. The Commodore 64 version was found to be the second-best port behind the NES version, and the Amstrad CPC version the worst with serious flaws making it "nearly worthless".
NARC — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play NARC online for free?
Yes — NARC runs directly in your browser on this page. There is nothing to download or install; the game boots in the player above.
Do I need a controller to play NARC?
A gamepad is optional. The keyboard mapping shown on this page works immediately, and plugging in a USB or Bluetooth controller switches the player over on its own.
Who developed NARC?
NARC was developed by Williams Electronics and published by Williams Electronics.
Where can I buy the original NARC?
Scroll to "Other Places You Can Get This Game" beneath the write-up — it lists trusted stores selling official copies.