Namco Museum DS
Developer(s)M2
Publisher(s)Namco Bandai Games[a]
Composer(s)Manabu Namiki
SeriesNamco Museum
Platform(s)Nintendo DS
Release
  • NA: September 18, 2007
  • JP: October 11, 2007[1]
  • EU: February 22, 2008
Genre(s)Various
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Namco Museum DS[b] is a 2007 video game compilation developed by M2 and published by Namco Bandai Games. The game features 7 arcade games previously published by Namco along with a Nintendo DS version of the Nintendo-developed title Pac-Man Vs.

It was originally released for the Nintendo DS on September 18, 2007.

Overview

Namco Museum DS is a compilation game featuring 8 games (10 if both Super Xevious and the old version of Dig Dug II are counted) previously distributed by Namco. Among the titles selectable are Galaxian (1979), Pac-Man (1980), Galaga (1981), Xevious (1983, along with its 1984 sequel Super Xevious as a hidden title), Mappy (1983), The Tower of Druaga (1984), Dig Dug II (1985 including both its original and old versions) and Pac-Man Vs. (2003). Super Xevious and the old version of Dig Dug II are hidden from view, but become available through the game selection screen by toggling the modes that enable said revisions.[2]

All games are recreated for the Nintendo DS hardware, supporting multiple display options for the Nintendo DS' limited resolution, allow high score saving, optional bug fix toggles for the games and DIP switch settings. Galaga, The Tower of Druaga, Xevious and Super Xevious feature a navigation mode that shows various hints and tips throughout the gameplay to assist the player during play. The version of Pac-Man Vs. included is a newly created version of the game, and features adjusted gameplay mechanics, new visuals and an original soundtrack; albeit the removal of one of the mazes from the original Nintendo GameCube version.

All the titles in Namco Museum DS support DS Download Play, allowing multiple players with or without Game Cards to play the titles featured in the collection. The player can either send temporary full games of the arcade games to Nintendo DS systems without a Game Card, which disappears when the system is powered off; or can use the function to play Pac-Man Vs. with players with or without a Game Card.

Additional features to the collection include general and hardcore options, a jukebox mode for listening to the sounds of the arcade games, Japanese promotional material and images of each arcade game's CPU board.[3]

Release

The game was originally released in North America on September 18, 2007, with the Japanese release on October 11, 2007 and the European release on February 22, 2008. Namco Museum DS was later re-released as part of a "Dual Pack" bundle with the Nintendo DS version of Pac-Man World 3 in North America on October 30, 2012.

Reception

Namco Museum DS has received a metascore of 67 from Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[8]

Notes

  1. ^ Released under the Namco brand name outside North America.
  2. ^ Japanese: ナムコミュージアムDS, Hepburn: Namuko Myūjiamu Dī Esu

References

  1. ^ Yasunori, Shiga (July 13, 2007). "バンダイナムコゲームス、往年の名作が蘇る DS「ナムコミュージアムDS」". Game Watch (in Japanese). Impress Group. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  2. ^ Savorelli, Carlo (May 6, 2015). "Xevious". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  3. ^ "Game Chronicles - Review". www.gamechronicles.com. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  4. ^ "Namco Museum DS for DS Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  5. ^ Gerstmann, Jeff (September 19, 2007). "Namco Museum DS Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 29, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  6. ^ EmaWii (September 19, 2007). "Review: Namco Museum DS". GamePro. International Data Group. Archived from the original on November 5, 2007.
  7. ^ Harris, Craig (September 27, 2007). "Namco Museum DS Review". IGN. Archived from the original on April 29, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  8. ^ "Namco Museum DS". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-03-16.