Namco Museum Remix
Encyclopedia
Namco Museum Remix is a video game compilation
for the Wii
, featuring a wide array of classic and updated Namco
arcade games. Featured in the compilation are the original arcade versions of Cutie Q
, Dig Dug
, Galaxian
, Gaplus
, Mappy
, Pac & Pal
, Pac-Mania
, Super Pac-Man
and Xevious
. It also features re-vamped "Remix" variants of Pac 'n Roll
(previously a Nintendo DS
title), Galaga
, Motos
, Rally-X
and Gator Panic
(originally a redemption game
). All of the "Remix" games feature Pac-Man in them even if they weren't in the original game it's based on.
In 2010, an enhanced version was released under the title Namco Museum Megamix, featuring additional games.
series of arcade compilations. In common with them, it includes a collection of classic arcade titles; however, these are ports, rather than being emulated, and are presented in the same style as in Namco Museum Battle Collection
for the PlayStation Portable
(see that article for details). Remix also adds five titular "Remix" versions, with updated graphics and gameplay, which differs from the originals, in some cases significantly (for example, in Galaga Remix, players not only have to protect themselves, but also protect Pac-Man as he rolls through space). The "Remix" games feature Mii
s, and each minigame is presented as an "attraction" in an amusement park—in fact, when released in Japan, the compilation was retitled .
This collection marks the first appearances of the arcade versions of Super Pac-Man and Gaplus since Namco Museum Vol. 2 for the PlayStation
, as well as the first ever U.S. Namco Museum appearances of Cutie Q (which appeared in the Japanese version of Namco Museum Vol. 2) and Pac & Pal (which was released in arcades in Japan only).
Galaga Remix on this compilation is not the same as the Galaga Remix
iOS
application.
, Dig Dug II
, Grobda
, King & Balloon
, New Rally-X
and Pac-Man
. Unlike Namco Museum Remix, the Miis are not featured in Megamix. However, Megamix features a level select feature for all 18 arcade games, (something that was done only in the Japanese version of Namco Museum Remix, as the U.S. version of Remix only had a single level select feature for Dig Dug).
Namco Museum Megamix only
, the inclusion of largely obscure titles such as Pac & Pal, Cutie Q, and Super Pac-Man and for the "Remix" games being "almost unplayable".
Namco Museum Megamix received mixed reviews with a score of 61.07% on GameRankings.
The Megamix version was criticized for not including a wider variety of Namco games, such as Dragon Buster
, Dragon Spirit
, The Tower of Druaga, Rolling Thunder
, Ms. Pac-Man, Legend of the Valkyrie
, and Dragon Saber
, as well as being little more than just a repackaging of 2007's Namco Museum Remix with slight changes and with one reviewer mockingly hinting at an eventual "Gigamix release, with Ms. Pac-Man included". Both Remix and Megamix were also criticized for the unnatural and awkward control schemes with the Wii Remote
, Nunchuk, and Classic Controller
, as well as the lack of GameCube controller support. Other criticisms include that the visuals of the "Remix" games are pale in comparison to other Wii titles, for the Megamix version lacking the Mii feature of the original Namco Museum Remix and the hub world, (which was heavily based on Pac 'n Roll), for being confusing when toggling between games, along with the lack of bonus content and leaderboards for both versions.
Product bundling
Product bundling is a marketing strategy that involves offering several products for sale as one combined product. This strategy is very common in the software business , in the cable television industry Product bundling is a marketing strategy that involves offering several products for sale as...
for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
, featuring a wide array of classic and updated Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
arcade games. Featured in the compilation are the original arcade versions of Cutie Q
Cutie Q
Cutie Q is an arcade game that was released by Namco in 1979. It is the third in a series that includes Gee Bee and Bomb Bee.-Gameplay:Like its predecessors, Cutie Q plays like a mix of pinball and Breakout style games...
, Dig Dug
Dig Dug
is an arcade game developed and published by Namco in Japan in 1982 for Namco Galaga hardware. It was later published outside of Japan by Atari. A popular game based on a simple concept, it was also released as a video game on many consoles.-Objective:...
, Galaxian
Galaxian
is an arcade game developed by Namco in 1979. It was published by Namco in Japan and was imported to North America by Midway in 1980. A fixed shooter-style game in which the player controls a spaceship at the bottom of the screen and shoots enemies descending in various directions, it was designed...
, Gaplus
Gaplus
, far more commonly known as Galaga 3 , is a fixed shooter arcade game that was released by Namco in 1984. It runs on Namco Phozon hardware and was only known as Gaplus in Japan...
, Mappy
Mappy
is a 1983 arcade game by Namco. In the United States, it was manufactured and distributed by Bally/Midway. Mappy is a side-scrolling platformer that features cartoon-like characters, primarily cats and mice. The game's main character itself is a mouse. Mappy runs on Namco Super Pac-Man hardware,...
, Pac & Pal
Pac & Pal
is an arcade game that was released only in Japan by Namco in 1983. The game ran on Namco Super Pac-Man hardware, and the object of the game was for Pac-Man to eat all the items before he was caught by the ghosts. Most of the items are fruits from the original Pac-Man game with a few new additions....
, Pac-Mania
Pac-Mania
is an arcade video game in the Pac-Man series, released by Namco in 1987 and distributed by Atari Games in the United States and Europe. It is a pseudo-3D interpretation of the classic maze game genre using an isometric view and features most elements of the original Pac-Man, as well as several new...
, Super Pac-Man
Super Pac-Man
, released in 1982 is the third installment of the Pac-Man series of arcade games and the second starring Pac-Man himself. It is also the second game to be created by series originator Namco, as Ms...
and Xevious
Xevious
is a vertical scrolling shooter arcade game by Namco, released in 1982. It was designed by Masanobu Endō. In the U.S., the game was manufactured and distributed by Atari. Xevious runs on Namco Galaga hardware. In Brazil the arcade cabinet was printed with the name 'COLUMBIA' for the game, while the...
. It also features re-vamped "Remix" variants of Pac 'n Roll
Pac 'n Roll
is a video game developed by Namco for the Nintendo DS. The game stars a 3D Pac-Man as the user rolls him throughout the playing field using the touchscreen. The classic arcade Pac-Man game is also unlockable...
(previously a Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
title), Galaga
Galaga
is a fixed shooter arcade game developed and published by Namco in Japan and published by Midway in North America in 1981. It is the sequel to Galaxian, released in 1979. The gameplay of Galaga puts the player in control of a space ship which is situated on the bottom of the screen...
, Motos
Motos
Motos is an arcade game that was released by Namco in 1985. It runs on Namco Super Pac-Man hardware but with a video system like that used in Mappy. It has 62 levels.-Gameplay:...
, Rally-X
Rally-X
Rally-X is a maze driving arcade game that was released by Namco in 1980. It runs on Namco Pac-Man hardware, and was the first Namco game to feature "Special Flags", which would become a recurring object in later games .It was the first game to ever feature a "bonus round." The object is to...
and Gator Panic
Gator Panic
Gator Panic is a redemption game by Namco that plays like Whac-A-Mole except it's with alligators coming from the wall. It was released in North America as Wacky Gator....
(originally a redemption game
Redemption game
Redemption games are typically arcade games of skill that reward the player proportionally to their score in the game. The reward most often comes in the form of tickets, with more tickets being awarded for higher scores. These tickets can then be redeemed at a central location for prizes...
). All of the "Remix" games feature Pac-Man in them even if they weren't in the original game it's based on.
In 2010, an enhanced version was released under the title Namco Museum Megamix, featuring additional games.
Description
Namco Museum Remix is a part of the Namco MuseumNamco Museum
Namco Museum refers to the series of video game compilations released by Namco for various 32-bit and above consoles, containing releases of their games from the 1980s and early 1990s...
series of arcade compilations. In common with them, it includes a collection of classic arcade titles; however, these are ports, rather than being emulated, and are presented in the same style as in Namco Museum Battle Collection
Namco Museum Battle Collection
Namco Museum Battle Collection is a collection of Namco arcade games such as Dig Dug, Pac-Man and Galaga. It was released for the PlayStation Portable in Japan on February 25, 2005 and contained eleven classic games from Namco's game history. The game was developed by Namco Tales Studio Ltd...
for the PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
(see that article for details). Remix also adds five titular "Remix" versions, with updated graphics and gameplay, which differs from the originals, in some cases significantly (for example, in Galaga Remix, players not only have to protect themselves, but also protect Pac-Man as he rolls through space). The "Remix" games feature Mii
Mii
A is a digital avatar used in Nintendo's Wii and Nintendo 3DS gaming consoles. They allow users to capture a likeness of themselves and others. After creating one using the Wii's Mii Channel or the Nintendo 3DS's Mii Maker, they can be used as playable characters in various titles for the...
s, and each minigame is presented as an "attraction" in an amusement park—in fact, when released in Japan, the compilation was retitled .
This collection marks the first appearances of the arcade versions of Super Pac-Man and Gaplus since Namco Museum Vol. 2 for the PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
, as well as the first ever U.S. Namco Museum appearances of Cutie Q (which appeared in the Japanese version of Namco Museum Vol. 2) and Pac & Pal (which was released in arcades in Japan only).
Galaga Remix on this compilation is not the same as the Galaga Remix
Galaga Remix (iOS)
Galaga Remix is a fixed shooter developed and published by Namco for iOS, and released on March 31st, 2009. The game allows players to play the original Galaga arcade game along with an enhanced version with detailed graphics, added music, new enemies, and boss fights among other features.The...
iOS
IOS
iOS is an operating system for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Apple TV.IOS may also refer to:-Companies and organisations:* Illinois Ornithological Society, American state-based bird club...
application.
Namco Museum Megamix
A enhanced version, entitled Namco Museum Megamix, was released on November 16, 2010 in North America only. Megamix features all of the titles from the earlier version, and adds a "Remix" version of Grobda, the original versions of the "Remix" titles (excluding Pac 'n Roll and Gator Panic), plus BosconianBosconian
is a free-roaming multi-directional scrolling shooter arcade game that was developed by Namco and released in 1981. In contrast to the more linear shooter games of its time, Bosconian allows the player's ship to freely move across open space that scrolls in all directions. The game also features a...
, Dig Dug II
Dig Dug II
Dig Dug II is the arcade sequel to Dig Dug, released by Namco in 1985. It runs on Namco Super Pac-Man hardware but with a video system like that used in Mappy. In 2005, it was ported to the PlayStation Portable in Namco Museum Battle Collection and is included in Namco Museum DS released for the...
, Grobda
Grobda
is a multi-directional shooter arcade game that was released by Namco in 1984. It is a spin-off from Xevious, as the player's tank first appeared in that - as an enemy.-Gameplay:...
, King & Balloon
King & Balloon
King & Balloon is a fixed shooter arcade game that was released by Namco in 1980. It was an early example of dual-core processing, running on Namco Galaxian hardware, based on the Z80 microprocessor, with an extra Z80 microprocessor to drive a DAC for speech; the King speaks when he is captured ,...
, New Rally-X
New Rally-X
New Rally-X is a maze arcade game that was released by Namco in 1981. It runs on Namco Pac-Man hardware but uses a system similar to Bosconian and, as the name suggests, is the sequel to Rally-X, released in the previous year...
and Pac-Man
Pac-Man
is an arcade game developed by Namco and licensed for distribution in the United States by Midway, first released in Japan on May 22, 1980. Immensely popular from its original release to the present day, Pac-Man is considered one of the classics of the medium, virtually synonymous with video games,...
. Unlike Namco Museum Remix, the Miis are not featured in Megamix. However, Megamix features a level select feature for all 18 arcade games, (something that was done only in the Japanese version of Namco Museum Remix, as the U.S. version of Remix only had a single level select feature for Dig Dug).
Arcade titles
- BosconianBosconianis a free-roaming multi-directional scrolling shooter arcade game that was developed by Namco and released in 1981. In contrast to the more linear shooter games of its time, Bosconian allows the player's ship to freely move across open space that scrolls in all directions. The game also features a...
(1981) - Cutie QCutie QCutie Q is an arcade game that was released by Namco in 1979. It is the third in a series that includes Gee Bee and Bomb Bee.-Gameplay:Like its predecessors, Cutie Q plays like a mix of pinball and Breakout style games...
(1979) - Dig DugDig Dugis an arcade game developed and published by Namco in Japan in 1982 for Namco Galaga hardware. It was later published outside of Japan by Atari. A popular game based on a simple concept, it was also released as a video game on many consoles.-Objective:...
(1982) - Dig Dug IIDig Dug IIDig Dug II is the arcade sequel to Dig Dug, released by Namco in 1985. It runs on Namco Super Pac-Man hardware but with a video system like that used in Mappy. In 2005, it was ported to the PlayStation Portable in Namco Museum Battle Collection and is included in Namco Museum DS released for the...
(1985) - GalagaGalagais a fixed shooter arcade game developed and published by Namco in Japan and published by Midway in North America in 1981. It is the sequel to Galaxian, released in 1979. The gameplay of Galaga puts the player in control of a space ship which is situated on the bottom of the screen...
(1981) - GalaxianGalaxianis an arcade game developed by Namco in 1979. It was published by Namco in Japan and was imported to North America by Midway in 1980. A fixed shooter-style game in which the player controls a spaceship at the bottom of the screen and shoots enemies descending in various directions, it was designed...
(1979) - GaplusGaplus, far more commonly known as Galaga 3 , is a fixed shooter arcade game that was released by Namco in 1984. It runs on Namco Phozon hardware and was only known as Gaplus in Japan...
(1984) - GrobdaGrobdais a multi-directional shooter arcade game that was released by Namco in 1984. It is a spin-off from Xevious, as the player's tank first appeared in that - as an enemy.-Gameplay:...
(1984) - King & BalloonKing & BalloonKing & Balloon is a fixed shooter arcade game that was released by Namco in 1980. It was an early example of dual-core processing, running on Namco Galaxian hardware, based on the Z80 microprocessor, with an extra Z80 microprocessor to drive a DAC for speech; the King speaks when he is captured ,...
(1980) - MappyMappyis a 1983 arcade game by Namco. In the United States, it was manufactured and distributed by Bally/Midway. Mappy is a side-scrolling platformer that features cartoon-like characters, primarily cats and mice. The game's main character itself is a mouse. Mappy runs on Namco Super Pac-Man hardware,...
(1983) - MotosMotosMotos is an arcade game that was released by Namco in 1985. It runs on Namco Super Pac-Man hardware but with a video system like that used in Mappy. It has 62 levels.-Gameplay:...
(1985) - New Rally-XNew Rally-XNew Rally-X is a maze arcade game that was released by Namco in 1981. It runs on Namco Pac-Man hardware but uses a system similar to Bosconian and, as the name suggests, is the sequel to Rally-X, released in the previous year...
(1981) - Pac & PalPac & Palis an arcade game that was released only in Japan by Namco in 1983. The game ran on Namco Super Pac-Man hardware, and the object of the game was for Pac-Man to eat all the items before he was caught by the ghosts. Most of the items are fruits from the original Pac-Man game with a few new additions....
(1983) - Pac-ManPac-Manis an arcade game developed by Namco and licensed for distribution in the United States by Midway, first released in Japan on May 22, 1980. Immensely popular from its original release to the present day, Pac-Man is considered one of the classics of the medium, virtually synonymous with video games,...
(1980) - Pac-ManiaPac-Maniais an arcade video game in the Pac-Man series, released by Namco in 1987 and distributed by Atari Games in the United States and Europe. It is a pseudo-3D interpretation of the classic maze game genre using an isometric view and features most elements of the original Pac-Man, as well as several new...
(1987) - Rally-XRally-XRally-X is a maze driving arcade game that was released by Namco in 1980. It runs on Namco Pac-Man hardware, and was the first Namco game to feature "Special Flags", which would become a recurring object in later games .It was the first game to ever feature a "bonus round." The object is to...
(1980) - Super Pac-ManSuper Pac-Man, released in 1982 is the third installment of the Pac-Man series of arcade games and the second starring Pac-Man himself. It is also the second game to be created by series originator Namco, as Ms...
(1982) - XeviousXeviousis a vertical scrolling shooter arcade game by Namco, released in 1982. It was designed by Masanobu Endō. In the U.S., the game was manufactured and distributed by Atari. Xevious runs on Namco Galaga hardware. In Brazil the arcade cabinet was printed with the name 'COLUMBIA' for the game, while the...
(1982)
Remixed titles
- Grobda Remix (2010)
- Pac-Motos (2007)
- Pac 'n RollPac 'n Rollis a video game developed by Namco for the Nintendo DS. The game stars a 3D Pac-Man as the user rolls him throughout the playing field using the touchscreen. The classic arcade Pac-Man game is also unlockable...
Remix (2007) - Galaga Remix (2007) (Completely different from the Galaga RemixGalaga Remix (iOS)Galaga Remix is a fixed shooter developed and published by Namco for iOS, and released on March 31st, 2009. The game allows players to play the original Galaga arcade game along with an enhanced version with detailed graphics, added music, new enemies, and boss fights among other features.The...
iOSIOSiOS is an operating system for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Apple TV.IOS may also refer to:-Companies and organisations:* Illinois Ornithological Society, American state-based bird club...
application) - Rally-X Remix (2007)
- Gator PanicGator PanicGator Panic is a redemption game by Namco that plays like Whac-A-Mole except it's with alligators coming from the wall. It was released in North America as Wacky Gator....
Remix (2007)
Namco Museum Megamix only
Reception
Namco Museum Remix received mediocre reviews with a score of 55.05% on GameRankings. Criticisms focused on a lack of classic arcade games such as Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-ManMs. Pac-Man
Ms. Pac-Man is an arcade video game produced by Midway as an unauthorized sequel to Pac-Man. It was released in North America in 1981 and became one of the most popular video games of all time, leading to its adoption by Pac-Man licensor Namco as an official title...
, the inclusion of largely obscure titles such as Pac & Pal, Cutie Q, and Super Pac-Man and for the "Remix" games being "almost unplayable".
Namco Museum Megamix received mixed reviews with a score of 61.07% on GameRankings.
The Megamix version was criticized for not including a wider variety of Namco games, such as Dragon Buster
Dragon Buster
is a dungeon crawl action role-playing platform arcade game that was released by Namco in 1984. It runs on Namco Pac-Land hardware, modified to support vertical scrolling. In Japan, the game was ported to the MSX and Famicom; the latter version was later released for the Virtual Console in the same...
, Dragon Spirit
Dragon Spirit
Dragon Spirit is a 1987 vertical scrolling shooter arcade game released by Namco and Atari Games . It runs on Namco System 1 hardware, and was later ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System, Amstrad CPC, Commodore Amiga, Commodore 64, DOS, Atari ST, Sharp X68000, TurboGrafx-16 and ZX Spectrum...
, The Tower of Druaga, Rolling Thunder
Rolling Thunder (arcade game)
is a side-scrolling action game produced by Namco originally released in as a coin-operated arcade game which ran on the Namco System 86 hardware. It was distributed internationally outside Japan by Atari Games. The player takes control of a secret agent who must rescue his female partner from a...
, Ms. Pac-Man, Legend of the Valkyrie
Valkyrie No Densetsu
was released by Namco in 1989 in Arcades and in 1990 on the PC Engine only in Japan. It is a sequel to a Japan-only 1986 Nintendo Family Computer game entitled Valkyrie no Bōken: Toki no Kagi Densetsu. For the first time, Valkyrie no Densetsu was translated into English and released in the Namco...
, and Dragon Saber
Dragon Saber
Dragon Saber is a vertical scrolling shooter arcade game that was released by Namco in 1990. It is the sequel to Dragon Spirit, released three years earlier.-Story:...
, as well as being little more than just a repackaging of 2007's Namco Museum Remix with slight changes and with one reviewer mockingly hinting at an eventual "Gigamix release, with Ms. Pac-Man included". Both Remix and Megamix were also criticized for the unnatural and awkward control schemes with the Wii Remote
Wii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
, Nunchuk, and Classic Controller
Classic Controller
The is a video game controller produced by Nintendo. It is used to play games on the Nintendo Wii video game console.-Classic Controller:The Classic Controller is plugged into the Wii Remote in order to be used. It features two analog sticks, a D-pad, face buttons labeled "a", "b", "x" and "y",...
, as well as the lack of GameCube controller support. Other criticisms include that the visuals of the "Remix" games are pale in comparison to other Wii titles, for the Megamix version lacking the Mii feature of the original Namco Museum Remix and the hub world, (which was heavily based on Pac 'n Roll), for being confusing when toggling between games, along with the lack of bonus content and leaderboards for both versions.