Namco Museum 50th Anniversary Arcade Collection

Written by Troy Matsumiya  on June 23, 2005

First Impressions: Help celebrate Namco's golden anniversary.

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Video game industry veteran Namco is celebrating a birthday Ц well, two birthdays to be exact. The first is the company's 50th anniversary and the second is the 25th birthday of the world's first video game superstar. Yes, long before Master Chief, Sam Fisher, Samus Aran, Sonic the Hedgehog and even Mario there was the legendary pop-culture icon himself, Pac-Man. It's hard to believe that a simple yellow disk (who was created when the lead developer was eating a pizza. No, really) could capture the imagination of kids and adults alike around the world. It's also frightening that a lot of gamers today weren't even born when Pac-Man was eating up quarters in the arcades. Damn, I feel old.

Anyway, to help celebrate both landmark birthdays, Namco will be releasing their largest compilation of classic arcade video games, complete with original graphics, sound and gameplay, including support for two players (for those games that originally allowed two players, of course). You will even be able to view the original arcade machines; pick the game you want to play and the camera will zoom into the screen. Cool!

The 14-game compilation includes Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Galaxian, Dig Dug, Pole Position, Pole Position II, Rolling Thunder, Rally X, Bosconian, Dragon Spirit, Sky Kid, Xevious and Mappy. Okay, there are a few less than stellar titles in there but for the most part, this compilation will no doubt have old-timers waxing nostalgic about the many hours (and quarters) spent in the arcades as a kid.

Your goal in the arcade was always to have your initials up on the best scores screen for bragging rights and to make your friends grumble with envy. With this collection, Namco will go one better by letting you to post your best scores on Xbox Live so that people around the world can be witness to your old school gaming prowess. And to think your mom always said that wasting your time in the arcade would never amount to anything.