Panic 64

The Good
Brøderbund Software's Apple Panic is a great game where you have to get rid of apples by digging holes in the platforms, then fill the holes once the apples drop into them. It was released on the Apple II, Atari 8-bit, VIC-20, and PC. Since the company didn't release it for the Commodore 64, the job was done by Interceptor Software who, like many of their releases, decided to add the “64” suffix at the end to indicate that the game was designed for this machine.

The title screen consists of a paragraph of text telling the player what to do, as well as a nice little piece playing in the background. Above the text, the game outlines the keys that you need to use to control your character. Although the screen gives you no clue about it, the game can also be controlled by joystick. Personally, I found it much easier to use the joystick instead.

The different sprites look good (although I don't approve of the apples wearing antennas on their heads. It might as well be called Alien Panic.), and the animations of both your character and the apples are superb. Gameplay-wise, everything is identical to Brøderbund's version, except that you place bombs, not dig holes, making it more easier for the player if in case there is any danger nearby. The AI is also quite impressive. When you are on a platform directly underneath both apples and there are two ways for them to reach you, they will try to trap you by taking opposite directions.

There is also a strategic element involved as well. Since each new level requires you to create more holes than the level before, you have to find the best way to place the bombs. In each level, there are about ten ladders, and you can't place a bomb in the same place as a ladder. In addition to this, you don't get extra bombs, so you can't afford to waste them. A good strategy is to divide the screen into imaginary rectangles turned sideways, and see which ones do not contain ladders, but only brick platforms; then do your bombing that would see you create holes in a vertical fashion.

The Bad
When you lose one of your lives by touching an apple, the holes do not disappear nor are the bombs replenished. This makes it harder for anyone to complete the later levels, meaning that if you make a mistake (ie: dropping a bomb in the wrong place), you are forced to lose all your lives and restart the game.

The Bottom Line
Panic 64 is a great arcade game, and it shares many similarities with the game it is based on. In my opinion, the use of bombs make it easier for the player, but you only get four per game, meaning you can't afford to make any mistakes. This is also a two-player game, but judging by the year the game was released, this isn't simultaneous and you must take turns during the game.