Namco
has returned to the vaults again with the release of Namco Museum Battle
Collection for the PSP, which includes several more than 20 titles, including
enhanced editions of four classic games. The classics gracing this pack are
expected, with all-time classics like Xevious and Ms. Pac Man sitting side by
side with more obscure titles like Motos and King & Balloon. From a
technical standpoint, the emulations are superb, with the timeless gameplay and
original music gamers have come to expect. While many of the titles have
appeared in previous compilations, some haven’t and Battle Collection is worth
buying for these obscurities plus the enhanced games and Wi-Fi Multiplayer
features.
With its numerous iterations appearing on almost every platform known to exist,
releasing a new installment of the
Namco
Museum
on any platform has the task of convincing
gamers to shell out money to buy these classic titles again on another system.
Luckily, there’s more than enough in the way of new twists in Battle
Collection to make it worthwhile for classic gamers. We’ll start by outlining
the most impressive feature of this compilation. That is the ability to battle
it out with up to four other players using the PSP’s wireless connectivity.
You can do this with a number of methods, including Game Sharing, which allows
you to download portions of the classic titles to other players, who don’t
have to physically own the compilation pack. The ability to share games with
your friends adds to the fun, though unfortunately, not all the games include
support for this feature. Players will also be able to play together
co-operatively in split screen modes as well, which should add further replay
value to these long-standing favorites. These new multiplayer modes are
interesting and should give these timeless games a new lease on life, making for
an exciting battle amongst players on these legendary arcade titles.
As you’d expect, all the games will be arcade perfect with the perfect
emulation allowing the classic gameplay to shine through. The games will also
feature the original graphics players remember recreated authentically.
Obviously, the games on Namco Museum Battle Collection are going to look quite
slick on the PSP’s gorgeous 16:9 aspect ratio screen, though some of them look
a tad small thanks to their horizontal monitors used originally. Players can
change the size of the screen in some instances to move the score to the side.
More interestingly, players will also be able to switch the screen sideways,
allowing them to play the games themselves in the proper aspect ratio without
losing graphical details. Adjusting the screen’s orientation makes the d-pad
adjust direction as well. You can then assign the firing function to either the
standard buttons, which can be awkward or use the PSP’s analog nub as a firing
button, which works a bit better. This mode is supported in all the games,
except the enhanced games, which already take up the full screen and look fine.
The
selection of titles on the pack is superb, and while some of these have already
appeared in other Namco collections, they still remain timelessly addictive and
appealing for the most part. We’ll begin with the usual suspects which
includes Pac Man, Ms. Pac Man, Galaga, Rally-X, Galaxian, Mappy, Xevious, and
New Rally-X. These titles are fairly well-known at this point, but Namco has
included a number of more obscure releases which make this compilation more
interesting for classic gaming veterans. These titles include: Xevious,
Bosconian, Mappy,
Tower
of
Druaga
, Dragon Buster, Motos, Grobda, Dig Dug 2 and
King & Balloon. Of these games, King & Balloon is one of the more
interesting, with its Space Invaders meets Circus Atari gameplay making for a
unique gameplay experience, and the primitive late 70’s graphics only seems to
add to its appeal. The two RPG-type games,
Tower
of
Druage
and Dragon Buster are entertaining, yet seem a
bit slow by today’s standards. While the sequel to Dig Dug was released on the
NES in decent form, the arcade perfect version seen here is excellent, with its
unique island play mechanics, and connecting lines that cause the island to
sink, taking creatures with it. This is a unique sequel to the original that
adds a new level of strategy and challenge to the experience. The most obscure
game on the list is probably Motos, with its simple yet addictive gameplay
making a worthwhile session or two. The newest game in Battle Collection is
probably Rolling Thunder, a simplistic yet enjoyable side scrolling action title
with some interesting level designs and enemy patterns. Overall, the compilation
offers an excellent value for the money with a varied set of styles and games
that makes for plenty of depth for both the casual and hardcore classic gaming
fan.
While Namco Museum Battle Collection features many of the classic titles players
have come to expect along with a few welcome rarities, Pac Man, Galaga, Rally-X
and Dig Dug each include an enhanced mode. The classic modes play as you
remember them, but the enhanced mode versions included new, more contemporary
graphics and minor gameplay tweaks such as power-ups and boss encounters to make
them feel more modern, without losing the essential appeal of the original
games. The best of these arranged modes is Galaga, which keeps the feel of the
original, but adds 3D objects in the backgrounds, boss battles and more
challenging enemy formations. The gameplay is also a little faster and the
famous “Challenge” modes have been made even more challenging as well. The
new version of Pac-Man takes the action and tilts it, with the famous gobbler
and his pursuers now rendered in splendid 3D. Rally-X Enhanced takes the same
top-down approach as the original, but the cities in the game are much more
detailed, with additional objects on the screen. Dig Dug’s Enhanced version
offers a decent set of changes from the original, with newly 3D visuals for the
characters, boss battles and additional items and new monsters to blow up along
the way. These new Arranged modes offer interesting twists on the classic
formula, while maintaining the spirit of the original games. All feature the
timeless play mechanics of the original titles, tweaked and modernized for
today’s gaming audience. Overall, these enhanced versions are excellent
additions to the pack that add to it’s already impressive replay value.
Namco’s inclusion of the obscure games like King & Balloon and Motos makes
the pack stand out from the packs they’ve done in the past. Baattle
Collection’s additional gameplay modes and Wi-Fi connectivity gives these
durable classics a new lease on life, adding to their timeless appeal. The PSP
edition’s excellent emulation system means the game look beautiful on the
PSP’s screen, not sacrificing any level of detail or sounds, as has been the
problem in many of the portable emu packs of the past. While you may have played
these game before, the arcade-perfect ports are excellent. The games also work
perfectly on a portable system, with pick up and play mechanics, simple gameplay
and more making them a perfect on-the-go companion. Overall, this is an
excellent purchase for any classic game fans who wish to play these game in a
convenient format.
