Namco Museum Review (PS2)

Namco's no stranger when it comes to classic gaming. Over the years, the company's built up an impressive backlog of retro favorites, including the Pac-Man games, the Galaxian series, and a few others such as Dig-Dug and Rally-X. A few years back, the company released a series of Namco Museum games for the Sony PlayStation, chronicling the company's history with interactive exhibits and playable games galore. And the fun continues now in the current generation with Namco Museum for the PlayStation 2, a $20 gem that no gamer, classic-themed or current, should be without.

The collection contains twelve games in all, eight that are playable from the beginning and two that can be unlocked after meeting particular scores on games. There's seven classics- Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Galaxian, Dig Dug, and Pole Position parts one and two; three "arrangement" games, which are revamped versions of some original games; and two "bonus" titles, the arcade game Pac-Mania (think Pac-Man with a 3-D twist) and the puzzle game Pac-Attack. A decent collection, but you'll notice some of your favorites, not to mention the interactive elements, are missing. No biggie- you still get a value for the $20 here.

The graphics are nothing amazing, as this game really just is a series of old arcade emulations, but the menu system is friendly and easy to navigate. The sounds are pure classic gaming noises, right down to Pac-Man's "waka waka" dot eating and the obnoxious pump noises you make blooking up Pookas and Fygars in Dig-Dug. As for gameplay, it remains just as great as it's always been, whether taking some laps or shooting some aliens. It fits the PS2 controller rather well and engaged for hours on end. You can also alternate between players for versus play, if you're up for it.

But the real surprise of Namco Museum is the inclusion of the "arrangement" games, which is a delight. Pac-Man Arrangement is a funky take on the Pac-Man legacy, with mazes, moving dot patterns, and great speed boosts that come in handy in spots. Galaga Arrangement features a wider arrangement of aliens to shoot, as well as power-ups. And Dig-Dug Arrangement entertains with its variety of enemies and stage designs.

Namco Museum isn't perfect, as I feel it's missing some of the goodies from previous collections. But it's a capable collection that provides hours of fun no matter what age the player. Kids will no doubt find themselves happily eating dots, while some of the more hardcore players will be eager to try and get their best score at Galaga. But that's just my perspective- I'm sure you'll find your favorites here and there within the Museum. Don't miss it.

Our Final ScoreGood

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