Games like Pacman, Galaga, Xevious, Dig Dug and Dragon Spirit have been with us since the 1980’s, why would one want to forget the good ol’ days spending quarters in the arcade cabinets? Rushing to beat the final stage before having to leave.
Namco Museum Essentials
Developer: Namco Bandai
Platform: PlayStation 3 (reviewed)
Namco Museum Essentials not only allows players to relive their childhood favourites, but to experience them in brand new ways as well. Players have the option to change settings to make life easier to collect stamps, which are rewarded upon completing certain stages, killing a certain amount of enemies and collecting items.
An example would be of getting 1600 points twice in a single stage on Pacman, requiring gamers to eat all the ghosts twice. If you are not a Pacman guru, it’s fine, but albeit challenging to get. There are 96 Stamps to acquire combined from all the games.
Unlocking HOME items and Trophies as you collect them, the stamps really add a meaning to doing things you might never do while playing through. They are simple, yet the addition is much appreciated. Gaining levels is possible through collection of these stamps, and allows gamers to choose different backgrounds to play these games on.
With other such classics such as Dig Dug, reminisce about how frustrating it was to get killed by a dragon’s fiery breath as the rock looming overhead was just about to deliver a crushing blow. Or instead feel empowered when they get the “All Clear” stamp. I once asked, “Is it possible to dig the entire screen?” To which was answered with, “Yeah, but why would you want to?” The answer is obvious now.
Collecting food in Dig Dug may give the extra few thousand points to get that extra life, making it so vital that it’s obtained. Getting two rocks to drop activates the veggies/fruit to appear where Dig Dug first starts out. Just beware of Fygars!
Other’s might enjoy Xevious‘ vertical shooter, somehow improving on Galaga‘s side-to-side movement and making it more immersive. Playing this game takes great coordination, one must dodge oncoming obstructions, destroy enemies (both land and air), avoid being hit by enemy fire and finally destroy bosses.
Many might question this game’s difficulty when progressing through the levels. The incoming black enemy fighters that shoot once before disappearing will certainly anger even the heartiest of people. Even worse are the later versions that spread shoot and so on.
Dragon Spirit is strikingly similar to Xevious, the difference being it’s all pampered up with dragons and Hit Points (just 3). After giving it a second chance, it poses a much better appeal then it did the first time around. Learning how to effectively use “Rapid Fire” Dragon Breath is essential. (Simply hold down Triangle on Default settings)
Areas are much larger, but they are much more enticing than Xevious‘ headache-enducing screens of nonstop enemy firing. Players are allowed to move the screen to the left and right now, expanding the right to meet deadly foes, or moving to the left to hide them.
Galaga is an all-time favourite to many, including myself. That challenge posed by only being allowed to move from left to right creates the illusion that players are somewhat handicapped, making it even more fun to play, even after all these years.
What’s there not to love? Other than those pesky bee-like foes that change species of course.
But what really makes Namco Museum Essentials remarkable is the addition of Xevious Ressurection, a visually enhanced take on the classic. Not only are graphics touched up, but the gameplay feels modern and may even rival some 2D shooters out on the market now! What with the best parts from the classic and additions to make anyone who’s played the original giggle with joy the first time they play it.
Encountering new enemies that shoot lasers, with the addition of shields that only protect against said lasers makes it even more addictive. What better way to tribute to the classic than making this Ressurection?
The beauty in these games is that no matter how many times they are played, there’s always a reason to come back. An intense fast-paced action game, Pacman. Into vertical shooters? Xevious, Dragon Spirit and Xevious Ressurection are for the FPS fans of old.
Maybe those aren’t for you, well there’s always Dig Dug to fill your childhood dreams of digging to China. Even if that doesn’t bring entice the classic gamer in all of us, surely Galaga‘s space battle system will be enough. Dual Fighters always make the Challenge Stages easier.
Not to ruin the feeling of nostalgia, but the game does have some flaws. Noticeable ones including being able to go through items/enemies for a split second, possibly ruining any hopes of a new high score, or saving that score. While generally Stamps’ names are all that are needed to figure out what to do, there are no descriptions as to obtain them. Leaving players clueless, or searching the internet, costing valuable playing time.
Not all games are 2-players compatible either, which may seem like nit-picking, but when the orignals had 2-player options, you would think 20+ years later they’d still be there, Xevious Ressurection on the flipside does have 2-player action.
Again, returning to the option to change settings, one might find out some new controls, like how in Galaga there’s a Rapid Fire feature, this was not there in the past correct? The option to have 5 lives instead of 3 might make obtaining Stamps easier, or for the truly hardcore players, lowering it from 3 lives to 2 or even 1 might get them excited.
And who says changing the background doesn’t make a game more fun?
The Final Word
The pro-retro gaming fans will most definitely enjoy this Namco Museum iteration. Some may be put off by the price of $9.99, but it’s fitting. Let your inner arcade self come through and help you make the decision to purchase. While glitches may occur, they are few and will sometimes save your life.
– MonsterVine Rating: 4 out of 5 – Good
