Namco Museum for the PSP :P

[Shannon]

For those of you who were dissapointed with Namco's last pitiful attempt with this product for the consoles. I can inform you, have no fear. They actually got it right with the PSP version.

 

Not sure when it comes out in the US but I've played the import recently and was actually pretty impressed. Pac-man and Ms. Pacman were correct unlike the lame console version (more on this later). You can even rotate the screen sideways! Oddly this makes me think of the Atari Lynx. The only sad thing is there is no pole position I,II and no Pac-Attack or Pac-Mania. Another cool feature is you can play all the different sounds in the game from the "options" menu.

 

Plus I still miss the apparent bastard child Jr. Pacman (plus Super Pac-man). I found that I actually liked the arrangement versions (at least for pac-man and dig-dug), not sure about galaxian. Unlike the horrid unrealized versions on the console and GBA cart these are pretty cool and even have BOSSES that you have to fight.

 

Pretty impressive! Anyways this one is definitely a winner in my book!

 

As for Namco Museum for the consoles I finally got around to trying the gamecube version I had piled in a stack, and talk about a steaming pile of poo. Actually to reiterate. Pac-man and Ms-Pacman are absolutely horrid. Probably Ms more so that Mr. The sound in Ms is absolutely pitiful. Galaga, Dig Dug and Galaxian actually fair better and are playable. Pole Position I and II are not bad if you do not mind useing the d-pad.

 

As for the arrangements, well personally I thought they were pretty lame, although the dig-dug one is pretty good. The arrangements are much more fully realized on the PSP release.

 

I just find it amazing that companies can take something like this and fark it up so bad. It's a good thing they got it right on the PSP. Someone really needs to make a special edition of MAME that takes all these titles (Atari, Namco, William, Midway, Konami) plus ones never released (like pac-man) and puts the official releases to shame.

Edited July 6, 2005 by Shannon

[JB]

Pac-man and Ms. Pacman were correct unlike the lame console version (more on this later).  You can even rotate the screen sideways!  Oddly this makes me think of the Atari Lynx.   

Very odd indeed, since vertical mode was a Wonderswan feature.

 

Plus I still miss the apparent bastard child Jr. Pacman (plus Super Pac-man). 

Pac Jr. is in licensing limbo.

Midway owns the game, but Namco owns the name.

 

Super Pac... I dunno why it's not showing up.

[Rugxulo]

Super Pac-Man was ported to the Game Boy Color (on a two-pack with Ms.Pac-Man). So, keep an eye out for that on eBay if you really want it.

 

Pac-man and Ms. Pacman were correct unlike the lame console version (more on this later).  You can even rotate the screen sideways!  Oddly this makes me think of the Atari Lynx.   

Very odd indeed, since vertical mode was a Wonderswan feature.

 

Plus I still miss the apparent bastard child Jr. Pacman (plus Super Pac-man). 

Pac Jr. is in licensing limbo.

Midway owns the game, but Namco owns the name.

 

Super Pac... I dunno why it's not showing up.

887177[/snapback]

[sega saturn x]

If this game sells well i hope the make a DS version. I would love to play an updated xevious.

Edited July 12, 2005 by sega saturn x

[+FujiSkunk]

Super Pac-Man was ported to the Game Boy Color (on a two-pack with Ms.Pac-Man). So, keep an eye out for that on eBay if you really want it.

 

Super Pac-Man also made it (emulated) to the PS1, on the second NamcoMuseum disc for that system. Sadly, the second disc didn't stay in print as long as the first and third discs. With a list of games that also includes Xevious, Mappy, and Gaplus, it tends to fetch a fair amount on eBay and elsewhere.

[Shannon]

Hmm thanks for the info I'll have to keep an eye out for those.

[cryptik76]

Pac-man and Ms. Pacman were correct unlike the lame console version (more on this later).  You can even rotate the screen sideways!  Oddly this makes me think of the Atari Lynx.   

Very odd indeed, since vertical mode was a Wonderswan feature.

 

Vertical mode was an Atari Lynx feature several years before the Wonderswan.

[JB]

Pac-man and Ms. Pacman were correct unlike the lame console version (more on this later).  You can even rotate the screen sideways!  Oddly this makes me think of the Atari Lynx.   

Very odd indeed, since vertical mode was a Wonderswan feature.

 

Vertical mode was an Atari Lynx feature several years before the Wonderswan.

890600[/snapback]

I recall the lynx having a left-handed mode, but not a vertical one.

[Shannon]

Pac-man and Ms. Pacman were correct unlike the lame console version (more on this later).  You can even rotate the screen sideways!  Oddly this makes me think of the Atari Lynx.   

Very odd indeed, since vertical mode was a Wonderswan feature.

 

Vertical mode was an Atari Lynx feature several years before the Wonderswan.

890600[/snapback]

I recall the lynx having a left-handed mode, but not a vertical one.

890602[/snapback]

 

I was thinking of games like centipede (unreleased), and Klax. Not specifically Ms. Pacman.

[JB]

Pac-man and Ms. Pacman were correct unlike the lame console version (more on this later).  You can even rotate the screen sideways!  Oddly this makes me think of the Atari Lynx.   

Very odd indeed, since vertical mode was a Wonderswan feature.

 

Vertical mode was an Atari Lynx feature several years before the Wonderswan.

890600[/snapback]

I recall the lynx having a left-handed mode, but not a vertical one.

890602[/snapback]

 

I was thinking of games like centipede (unreleased), and Klax. Not specifically Ms. Pacman.

890657[/snapback]

Ah. That would explain why I dind't remember the Lynx having a vertical mode, if it was all unreleased titles.

[Agent X]

Ah. That would explain why I dind't remember the Lynx having a vertical mode, if it was all unreleased titles.

890713[/snapback]

 

Several released games for the Lynx use the vertically-oriented mode, including Klax (mentioned above), Gauntlet: The Third Encounter, and NFL Football.

[ferrarimanf355]

I'd just like to add that the US version of Namco Museum PSP will have even more games: expect to see King And Baloon, Dig Dug 2, Dragon Buster, Tower of Druaga, Bosconian, Rolling Thunder, Motos, Xevious and Mappy. That's more than 20 games total.

[Jess Ragan]

Heck, you can play King and Balloon on the PSP right now with the fMSX emulator. I don't know if it works with the PSP versions of MAME... I've had immense difficulty getting ANYTHING to work with those.

 

JR

[Shannon]

PSP versions of mame are not even worth the memory stick they take up.

 

Namco museum looks good. I have my money lined up for this one.

[Lauren Tyler]

Namco Museum worked out well for once! They ported the games very well, and all the graphics and sounds are intact (even Ms. Pac-Man's opening theme is in the proper key!)

 

This gives me hope for the PS2/GCN/XB 50th Anniversary Compilations. At the very least, let's hope they keep Pole Position's tunes in the right key!

[Mendon]

I picked up the Battle Collection today, mainly for Mappy and King & Balloon. I'm very pleased with what I've saw so far (only about 20min game play) and feel its the best Museum collection yet. $40 well spent.

 

Mendon

[Jess Ragan]

Seems pretty good from what I've seen. I've only played the Japanese version, though. The emulation in that version of the game is rock-solid, but the arrangements leave a lot to be desired. The Galaga arrangement is the best of the bunch, but it's too easy. Rally-X isn't too bad, but Pac-Man Arrangement is just plain boring... pretty polygons or not, it doesn't hold a candle to the Game Boy Advance version found in Pac-Man Collection.

 

JR

[Lauren Tyler]

I'd kill to play Arranged mode with someone else, but the only tunneling software I know of won't support my WCG200 router, nor will it support my DWL-G122 Wireless USB adapter (how was I supposed to know it was DWL-122? And that DWL-122 isn't sold in stores anymore?!)

 

There has to be a way.

[Shannon]

Odd.... I never liked the arrangement mode of the pac-man GBA version.

 

So this is out now... cool! Time to pick it up!

[cimerians]

Got mine yesterday.

 

The emulation is perfect (compared to anything else). You can almost say its MAME.

Well....its not MAME but its very well done.

 

Its so well done I can't help but say to people that its a must buy.

[dalton4life]

I may pick this one up this weekend. You are supposed to share this one so maybe I can take on my fiancee in it or whoever comes to visit. We both have PSPs.

[Jasoco]

I am glad to hear it's a great port. I'm getting it for Ms. Pac-Man, Rally X, Xevious and Galaga (Or Galaxian. Not sure which one I like better) alone. The rest of the games are a bonus. I just wish it was $30 instead.

[Shannon]

Yeah I was a little dissapointed in the price. Namco just doesnt get it. This one will have to wait a little while. I spent a little too much on gas today. .

[cimerians]

Yeah, the price is steep.

 

I really like the Galaga and Rally X arrangement games as well.

 

I'm still stunned at the great emulation. Its about time!!!

[Gabriel]

I initially was going to wait on this one until it came down in price. I stopped by Toys R Us to see if they had any Heroscape boosters or expansions. Well, I asked if they had any Heroscape stuff in the back/not on the shelf and they were extremely kind and went out of their way to check for me. Since they were kicking so much ass, I figured I owed their store some more business, so I bought Advance Wars Dual Strike and Namco Battle Collection both.

 

I'm spending a lot more time with the Namco collection. The games are all perfect for a portable. They play great whether you have only a quick 5 minute break or a lunchtime to spend.

 

I just wish Pole Position or Super Pac-Man had been on the disc.