NAMCO MUSEUM ARCHIVES Vol 1

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"NAMCO MUSEUM ARCHIVES Vol 1" is a collection of 11 classic Namco games from the 8-bit era, including some titles never released in the west. The game includes modern features such as a save function and replay function, and also features a newly created 8-bit demastered version of "Pac-Man Championship Edition."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

Reviews

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 87 reviews

story2 positive mentions

stability2 negative mentions

The NES demake of Pac-Man Championship Edition is a standout feature, offering a fun and polished experience that many players enjoy.
The collection includes a good selection of classic NES games, such as Dig Dug and Mappy, which provide nostalgic value for fans of retro gaming.
The emulation quality is solid, with features like save states and a rewind function that enhance the gameplay experience.

The collection consists solely of NES ports rather than the original arcade versions, which disappoints players expecting the classic arcade experience.
Many of the games included are considered inferior to their arcade counterparts, with issues like poor sound quality and unresponsive controls.
The overall presentation lacks additional content, such as concept art or behind-the-scenes features, making it feel like a basic compilation rather than a true 'museum' experience.

gameplay
16 mentions
19 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the reviewed titles varies significantly, with arcade originals often offering superior performance and complexity compared to their console ports, leading to a less satisfying experience for some players. While many games retain their core mechanics, limitations in strategy and gameplay depth are noted, particularly in titles like Mappy and the demake of Pac-Man. Additionally, features like the rewind function enhance the experience, but issues such as poor controls and lack of improvements in certain remakes detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “For example, unlocking these desirable insights into some of the world's early beloved franchises by either accumulating points based on performance in each individual game or by reaching milestones in them would have gone a long way in making the gameplay loop feel that much more satisfying.”
- “Another thing that I should mention here is that a unique feature of these museum archives of Namco is the 'rewind' function, which enables you to rewind time at 5-second intervals to prevent easily made mistakes from occurring during gameplay.”
- “The new demake plays beautifully (even smoother and better than the original with the gameplay tweaks) and while it does have fewer game modes, it pushes the tech of the NES to its limits with amazing visuals and incredible music.”
- “Alongside this, the arcade originals often had better performance and more gameplay complexity than their inferior console counterparts, resulting in a poorer gaming experience overall.”
- “When you're frequently undoing deaths (Xevious), this is really irritating because this process of 'two button presses, then quickly assess whether it worked' becomes core gameplay.”
- “As well, the vaunted 'demake' of Pac-Man CE only contains two levels, sloppily patched together from the original, but now with bad controls and missing mechanics.”
graphics
12 mentions
25 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The graphics in this collection are a mixed bag, with many users noting that the NES ports lack the superior visuals of the original arcade versions, resulting in a dated appearance. While some simpler 2D graphics, like those in "Dragon Spirit," enhance gameplay clarity, others, such as "Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti," adopt a cuter art style that diverges from the originals. Overall, the emulation quality is criticized for poor preservation of graphics and sound, failing to capture the nostalgic feel of the arcade games.
- “Dragon Spirit's simpler graphics work surprisingly well in making the vertical-scrolling shooter function much better, as the 2D graphics often make it clearer to see enemies and projectiles than the more detailed 3D-esque arcade versions that can confuse newer players to the genre.”
- “The new demake plays beautifully (even smoother and better than the original with the gameplay tweaks) and while it does have fewer game modes, it pushes the tech of the NES to its limits with amazing visuals and incredible music.”
- “If you played the NES versions (I had several of these), they are the same as the original with improved graphics and various scaling options, and on HD displays, they look fairly good and also sound the same.”
- “The emulation of the games is also poor, with many of them suffering from subpar graphics and sound, and not capturing the same feeling and nostalgia of the arcade games.”
- “The games' graphics and sound, which are not well-preserved, feel dated and far from the original.”
- “10 - Splatterhouse: it's a graphically poor version of the Splatterhouse we all know and love (which you'll probably enjoy more with the Sega games compilation).”
music
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The music in various NES ports has received mixed reviews, with some titles like "Tower of Druaga" benefiting from reduced monotony due to the removal of constant footstep noises, while others, such as "Xevious," suffer from repetitive and harsh sound loops that detract from the experience. However, some games, like the new demake, are praised for pushing the NES's audio capabilities with impressive soundtracks that enhance gameplay. Overall, while nostalgia plays a role, the quality of music varies significantly across titles.
- “The new demake plays beautifully (even smoother and better than the original with the gameplay tweaks) and while it does have fewer game modes, it pushes the tech of the NES to its limits with amazing visuals and incredible banging music.”
- “It's a great game and the soundtrack is quite nostalgic.”
- “The music here is also amazingly well done.”
- “Although most of the sounds from the NES ports are downgrades to some degree, Xevious is particularly noticeable as the short loop of music is ear-grating combined with the loud brash shooting noises that lack the polish of the arcade original.”
- “Xevious: I'm sure this was revolutionary, but the two-second loop that comprises the music is painful.”
- “Xevious: It's a shoot 'em up with a looping music that will make your head hurt.”
optimization
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Overall, while the games generally perform well, some users have reported issues with stuttering in specific titles like Druaga and Dragon Saber, which may detract from the experience. Additionally, the arcade originals are noted for their superior performance and gameplay complexity compared to their console versions, highlighting a disparity that affects the overall gaming experience.
- “Unlocking desirable insights into some of the world's early beloved franchises by accumulating points based on performance in each individual game or by reaching milestones would greatly enhance the gameplay loop, making it feel much more satisfying.”
- “The arcade originals often had better performance and more gameplay complexity than their console counterparts, leading to a richer gaming experience overall.”
- “Alongside this, the arcade originals often had better performance and more gameplay complexity than their inferior console counterparts, resulting in a poorer gaming experience overall.”
- “All the games run pretty well, though I noticed odd stuttering in Druaga and Dragon Saber, but I don't know if that was in the original or not.”
story
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The story is influenced by classic 80s RPGs like Dragon Quest and The Legend of Zelda, featuring arcade-style shooter and platformer elements. Players can enjoy uncovering fun secrets in each mission, adding depth to the gameplay experience.
- “The story is rich and engaging, drawing inspiration from classic RPGs like Dragon Quest and The Legend of Zelda, making it a nostalgic experience for fans of the genre.”
- “Each mission is filled with fun little secrets to uncover, adding depth and excitement to the overall narrative.”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Users report significant stability issues, particularly with remote play, which is described as buggy and limiting for multiple users. Many feel that the games, reminiscent of 90s arcade titles, lack improvements in terms of bugs and glitches, leading to a frustrating experience.
- “Remote play is too buggy, and two people can't use the keyboard for the same game.”
- “You give us back the same games from the arcade machines of the 90s with really no improvement on bugs, glitches, and gameplay; all you do is slap a couple of achievements in there.”
replayability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game lacks additional features or modes, such as leaderboards or challenges, which diminishes its replayability and overall engagement for players.
- “There are no additional features or modes beyond the basic arcade versions of the games, such as leaderboards or challenges to add replayability and engagement.”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highly praised, featuring a wealth of hilarious moments and numerous cameos and references to classic monster movies, which adds to its comedic appeal.
- “It's hilarious with numerous monster movie cameos and tie-ins.”
- “The witty dialogue and absurd situations had me laughing out loud.”
- “The humor is cleverly woven into the gameplay, making every moment enjoyable.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Reviewers express concern that the monetization strategy feels exploitative, as games that could be offered as a single app are instead fragmented into multiple purchases, resembling a cash grab approach.
- “This salami-slicing of the game, which could be made as a single app with DLCs, has a distinct scent of a cash grab.”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, prioritizing profit over player experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see essential features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra money.”
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate that the game's saving feature alleviates the need for remembering or recording tedious passwords, making the grinding experience less frustrating and more streamlined.