Namco Museum Essentials (PSN) Review
Posted by Armando Rodriguez on 07.30.2009
Essentials features 5 addictive classics and one updated classic for only $10.
Game: Namco Museum Essentials
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Developer: Namco Bandai
Genre: Compilation
Players: 1
Rating: E for Everyone
It is hard to review classic games. Everyone seems to have a different opinion on how these games are judged. Do we talk about the dated graphics? Do we talk about archaic gameplay mechanics? Yes, we should talk about all those things objectively. But to me the biggest measure of a classic game is how capable said game is to stand the test of time. Is it as fun today as it was 20 years ago? Namco Museum Essentials offers us 6 games, five of them classics and one an updated look at a classic. Although there are some minor issues with the game, this is clearly a must-have download for classic game fans.
The five classic games in this compilation are Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug, Xevious and Dragon Spirit. For those who have never played these games, here is a basic description of each: Pac-Man is the iconic dot-eating dude who must travel a maze eating all the dots (and the occasional fruit) while avoiding pesky ghosts. Galaga is the granddaddy of all space shooters, featuring challenging waves of spaceships that you must overcome to make it to the end of the level. Xevious and Dragon Spirit have different concepts: one features a spaceship, the other a dragon, but both games have the same basic mechanic: you have two different types of weapons, one that attacks airborne targets and one that attacks ground targets and success depends on managing both weapons effectively. Dig Dug on the other hand features a little man that digs (duh!) underground and success depends on eliminating enemies by inflating them until they pop. It combines puzzle solving and action elements on one game.
Pac-Man
All the games are faithfully represented in all their pixilated glory. The graphics and sound are exactly the same as when they first came out. The controls are well-mapped to the PS3’s controller and can be learned in a matter of seconds. They quickly become second nature, even if they are not as precise on the PS3 pad as they where back in the arcades or the Atari 2600. I still can’t get used to Pac-Man without the Atari 2600 controller and although the PS3’s thumbstick is a good substitute it doesn’t feel as precise as the 2600 controller.
Dig Dug
The new game on this compilation is Xevious Resurrection, an updated version of Xevious that retains the same basic mechanics and enemy types. The graphics have been redone in 3D, but the gameplay remains in two dimensions. Enemies also have a few new tricks up their sleeves and the sound is improved as well. Overall a pretty good update to a classic. It also made me want to see an updated Galaga or Pac-Man.
Xevious Resurrection
All the games feature trophies and the ability to earn stamps. Stamps can be acquired for reaching certain levels, attaining certain scores or eating certain fruits in Pac-Man and Dig-Dug. Earning stamps unlocks stuff for Home and earns you trophies. You also get an overall score and you can rise in levels based on this score. Raising levels earns you new backgrounds and other unlockables.
Dragon Spirit
The 411:
How much enjoyment you get out of this collection depends on how much you enjoyed these games in the past. Younglings yearning to learn a bit about gaming history would do well to download this title as well. Galaga, Pac-Man and Xevious are as addictive as they where before and Xevious Resurrection is a great update to the classic. Dragon Spirit is a bit obscure and weird, but it has the same solid mechanics as Xevious and is a blast to play as well. Trophies are a bit hard to get in this one and it offers plenty of replay value. Namco Museum Essentials is a great pickup for $10 and I am eagerly awaiting the eventual Essentials Vol.2.
Graphics
7.5
The classics are faithfully reproduced. Xevious Resurrection has good looking graphics.
Gameplay
9.0
The controls are easy to pick up and the games are challenging and addictive.
Sound
7.5
The sound is the same as it was when these games first came out. Nothing out of the extraordinary and the sound effects fit their respective games well.
Lasting Appeal
8.8
Galaga and Pac-Man are as addictive now as they where before. The addition of trophies and unlockable content boosts the replay value.
Fun Factor
9.0
These games stand the test of time. Great, addictive and long-lasting experiences.
