![Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor [Model SHVC-PX] screenshot](images/game/61610_2.png "Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor [Model SHVC-PX]")
Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor © 1994 BEC
Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor is a strategic simulation game based on the iconic mecha franchise. Unlike the high-octane action titles associated with other mecha series, this game emphasizes the "police procedure" aspect of the show. Players take on the role of a commander for the Special Vehicles Section 2, managing the deployment of the Ingram patrol labors, handling maintenance, and navigating the political and criminal investigations that define the Patlabor universe.
GAME ID: SHVC-PX
Released on April 22, 1994 (Friday) in Japan.
Genre Fidelity: The game stays remarkably true to the series' tone, which often focuses more on bureaucratic struggles, urban planning, and the limitations of heavy machinery than on non-stop combat. It forces the player to consider the "cost" of deploying mobile police units, reflecting the series' recurring themes of public safety and police liability.
The BEC Connection: Developed by BEC—a joint venture primarily between Bandai and Banpresto—this title exemplifies their 16-bit strategy philosophy: creating games that serve as an "interactive episode" for fans rather than just a gameplay loop. The narrative depth and character interactions are arguably the game's strongest features.
Tactical Simulation: Battles are conducted on a grid where unit positioning, terrain (such as tight urban environments), and battery management for the labors are critical. It requires a more patient, methodical approach than the Gundam strategy titles of the same era.