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> Results: Namco Museum 50th Anniversary
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Did you know that game maker Namco turns 50 this year? So what did they do before making famous games like Pac-Man, Ridge Racer, and Tekken? Well, they made mechanical rocking horses and other coin-operated children's rides, mostly. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Namco has created yet another arcade compilation, with many of the same games you already own if you have a previous Namco Museum game.
Choose from more than a dozen arcade classics. The full list includes: Pac-Man Ms. Pac-Man Galaga Galaxian Dig Dug Rally-X Pole Position Pole Position II Xevious Dragon Spirit Bosconian Rolling Thunder Mappy Sky Kid Pac-Mania Galaga 88 Pac-Mania and Galaga 88 are locked until you get high scores on some of the games (don't worry, it's easy to do). The game saves your high scores and options. Game selection is set up like an arcade, with 3D replicas of the cabinets that housed these games. But there are no other historical elements. For Namco's 50th anniversary, they could've done something a little more. Arcade flyers and ads, interviews with the developers or even a flashback to Namco's early years like the five volume Namco Museum set on the original PlayStation.  This new Museum plays tunes from the 80's while you select a game on the menu screen, but as soon as the game starts, the music is turned off. You only hear a few seconds of each song unless you take your time picking a game. So what's the point of having the songs on there? Probably the biggest disappointment is that most of these games are on a previous Namco Museum game already out for the current console generation. They're all great games, but if you already own a previous collection, it may not be worth another $20 for the few new additions, even though Rolling Thunder, Sky Kid, and Galaga 88 are really good. It's a nice package overall, but Namco could've put a little more effort for their 50th anniversary. 
These games are simple and easy to get into for gamers of all ages. No reading skill is required to play these classics. Because of the dated graphics, the violence isn't depicted realistically. Some of the 80's tunes have mildly offensive lyrics, but unless you just like sitting at the menu screen for a long time, you probably won't hear any words at all as you hop from game to game. If you haven't introduced your kids to classic gaming already, Namco Museum 50th Anniversary is a good place to start.
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