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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesContraband Police is a border-inspection simulation set in a fictional 1981 republic, with vehicle searches, station management, pursuits, and story decisions. On October 7, 2026, its US Steam listing showed $11.39, down from $29.99, a 62% discount; SteamDB listed the promotion through October 8, 2026. The price and end date are snapshots, not a guarantee the deal is still available.
What is Contraband Police?
Developed by Crazy Rocks and published by PlayWay S.A., Contraband Police was released on Steam on March 8, 2023. It takes place in 1981 in Karikatka, a mountainous region of the Acarist People’s Republic. You play a young officer assigned to a border post, where the job is to decide who and what can cross.
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My Arcade Contra and Super Contra: Retro Gaming, 2 Games in 1, CO/VS Link for CO-OP Action, Full... | $58.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The Steam listing sums up the premise with the line, “No amount of contraband should cross the border!” Its gameplay description combines inspection work with management, action, and narrative choices, so it is broader than a document-checking game.
What do you do in Contraband Police?
Inspect documents and search vehicles
You check travelers’ documents for discrepancies, then search vehicles for concealed contraband. Steam describes using a UV flashlight and other tools to uncover hidden goods. The central appeal is the routine of scrutinizing details and deciding whether to admit or detain someone.
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- 🎮 Collector's Item: Allows for CO/VS functionality for co-op action (cable included). CO/VS multiplayer technology allows two Pocket Players to be linked together for cooperative gameplay using the included CO/VS cable
- 🎁 Konami Licensed Collectible: Includes arcade version of Contra and Super Contra
- High Resolution: This pocket-sized game features a high-resolution 2.8-inch full-color vertical display.
- Powered by either 4 AA batteries or by any micro USB cable (not included)
- 🎵 Built-in front facing speaker, volume control, and 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Run the post and handle incidents
Between inspections, you can upgrade the police station and respond to special assignments. The game also includes pursuits and combat, alongside story decisions. Steam warns that it contains occasional violence or brutality and vulgar or explicit language.
Is Contraband Police worth it at the sale price?
The discount makes the game less expensive to try, but whether it is a good fit depends on how much you enjoy repeating a detailed inspection loop alongside management and action sections. Notebookcheck’s October 5, 2026 article noted that some players find progression slow and mechanics repetitive. That caveat matters if you want constant variety or rapid advancement.
Review figures are strongly positive, though each count reflects a different source and snapshot:
- Steam, accessed October 7, 2026: 95% positive from 10,692 English-language reviews; Steam labeled the English reviews “Overwhelmingly Positive.”
- Steam recent English reviews, accessed October 7, 2026: 94% positive from 203 reviews.
- Notebookcheck, October 5, 2026: reported 95% positive from 25,867 total Steam reviews.
These are not identical review sets, and Steam’s counts and percentages can change. The current US price snapshot was $11.39, reduced from $29.99, with SteamDB listing October 8, 2026 as the promotion’s end date. Prices vary by region, and the listed discount may expire or change.
Will it run on your PC?
Steam lists these Windows requirements. They are the store’s specifications, not independent performance-test results.
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Memory | 12 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | GTX 1050 or RX 560, 3 GB VRAM | RTX 2060 or RX 5700, 6 GB VRAM |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 12 GB available space | 12 GB available space |
Can you try it first, and does it support a controller?
Steam offers a downloadable prologue/demo, which gives cautious buyers a way to sample the game before purchasing. SteamDB records full controller support, so a controller is optional; the available evidence does not establish a particular controller model as tested.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
