Namco Museum Essentials[b] is a 2009 video game compilation developed by Cattle Call and published by Namco Bandai Games for the PlayStation 3. The collection includes five Namco arcade games from the 1980s: Pac-Man (1980), Galaga (1981), Dig Dug (1982), Xevious (1983), and Dragon Spirit (1987), alongside an exclusive Xevious sequel, Xevious Resurrection. Player progress is rewarded with stamps, which could be redeemed for virtual items in the now-defunct PlayStation Home service. Stamps also award points when collected, used to unlock extra features such as wallpapers.
The ".comm" in the game's Japanese title is thought to stand for "community", based on the game's online functionality. To help promote the game, Namco Bandai set up a custom PlayStation Home hub space featuring a demo of the game. Upon release, Namco Museum Essentials was met with a mixed reception from critics; although it was criticized for its small game library and lack of multiplayer in most of the games, reviewers praised the emulation quality, unlockable extras and presentation. It was removed from the PlayStation Store on March 15, 2018.
Namco Museum Essentials consists of six games - five of these are Namco arcade games from the 1980s, while the sixth, Xevious Resurrection, is exclusive to this collection.[1] The arcade games allow the player to start on any stage the player had previously been to, as well as featuring a score attack mode where the player is to gain as many points possible before dying.[1][2] In-game options allow the player to change the number of lives and border artwork. Multiplayer is excluded from each game, with the exception of Xevious Resurrection.[1]
By completing certain objectives in each of the games, players are rewarded with stamps that were redeemable for items in the now-defunct PlayStation Home service, such as shirts, hats and arcade cabinets;[3] the game includes over 50 unlockable items.[2] Stamps also award points when unlocked, which can increase a player's account level;[2] reaching new levels can also unlock items such as wallpapers.[1] Online leaderboards are also present, allowing players to view scores from other users around the world as well as from friends.[1] Players also have access to a sound test and the ability to record a friend's progress.[4]
Xevious Resurrectionedit
In-game screenshot.
Xevious Resurrection is a vertical-scrolling shooter video game, serving as a modern update of the original Xevious arcade game. Up to two players control their respective Solvalou starships — white for player one and black for player two — and must wipe out the Xevious forces and their supercomputer leader GAMP before they take over Earth. The Solvalou have two weapons at their disposal: an "air zapper" that can destroy flying enemies, and a "blaster bomb" that can destroy ground-stationed enemies. New to this game is a shield system that the Solvalou can use to protect themselves from enemy projectiles for a short period of time. Using the shield depletes a potion of the "shield meter" at the sides of the screen, which can be refilled by collected orange triangular-shaped pickups dropped by certain enemies.[5]
The game is composed of several stages, referred in-game as "areas", consisting of outer space, forests, deserts featuring the Nazca lines from Peru,[6] and mechanical bases, similar to Solvalou and Xevious 3D/G.[7] Some areas feature bosses that the player must defeat in order to progress, one being a rematch with the Andor Genesis mothership from the first Xevious game. Bombing pre-determined spots on the ground in some areas can reveal Sol towers, which can be destroyed for extra points, and Rally-X Special Flags that will award the player an extra life when collected.[6] Players can earn stamps by completing certain in-game objectives, unlocking special items for their PlayStation Home digital apartment.
Developmentedit
Namco Museum Essentials was published by Namco Bandai Games for the PlayStation 3. Development was outsourced to Cattle Call,[8] and titled Namco Museum.comm for its Japanese release - the ".comm" believed to mean "community", in reference to the game's online services.[9] To help promote the game, Namco Bandai created a custom PlayStation Home hub area,[10] which was also used to promote their other digital-only games - players could unlock additional items for their PlayStation Home upon visiting the space and could also play a demo of Essentials,[11][12] which was titled Namco Museum BETA[c] in Japan.[6] The game was one of the earliest titles to utilize PlayStation Home's rewards system.[13]Xevious Resurrection was created to remake the core Xevious gameplay for a modern shoot'em up audience.[14]Essentials was released in Japan on January 29, 2009,[6] in North America on July 16, 2009,[15] and in Europe on April 1, 2010.[15] The game was pulled from the PlayStation Store on March 15, 2018.[16]
Upon release, Namco Museum Essentials was met with mixed reviews from critics. Although criticism was drawn towards the small game library and lack of online multiplayer, praise was given to the game's presentation, emulation quality and unlockable extras. It holds a 64 out of 100 on Metacritic.
In their review, IGN called the overall presentation "top-notch", praising the game's use of PlayStation Home and bonus content, which they noted added replay value to the games.[1]Push Square stated that the unlockable extras and leaderboards "brings the classics into the 21st-century", as well as praising the emulation quality.[15]GamePro complemented the addition of the stamp system, claiming that it gave the game more depth.[18]
Despite this, reviewers were critical of the small game library and lack of multiplayer. GamePro criticized the game library for being too small and lacking any updated visuals or features, as well as criticizing the lack of multiplayer and "unnecessarily large" file size.[18] Similarly, IGN expressed disappointment that multiplayer was excluded from the games except Xevious Resurrection, as well as being critical of the small game library.[1] Although GamePro disliked the game's price point, advising readers to "choose wisely" before purchasing,[18]Push Square contested this, saying that it was "worth the chance" to fans of Namco's game catalog.[15] In a retrospective review of Xevious Resurrection, Sam Derboo of Hardcore Gaming 101 said the game's graphics were "very effective" for their budget, noting how the backgrounds resembled satellite photographs.[7]
^Known in Japan as Namco Museum.comm (ナムコミュージアム.comm, Namuko Myūjiamu.comm)
^Namco Museum BETA (ナムコミュージアムBETA, Namuko Myūjiamu Bēta)
Referencesedit
^ abcdefghRoper, Chris (July 21, 2009). . IGN. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^ abcMiller, Greg (June 12, 2009). . IGN. Archived from the original on November 26, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^Gerstmann, Jeff (June 17, 2009). . Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^Takizawa, Osamu (January 29, 2009). . GAME Watch. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^Miller, Greg (June 12, 2009). . IGN. Archived from the original on July 15, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
^ abcdDengeki Online. . Dengeki Online. Archived from the original on February 5, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^ abDerboo, Sam (December 10, 2013). . Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
^. Cattle Call. Archived from the original on March 26, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^Spencer (January 28, 2009). . Siliconera. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^Sinclair, Breden (June 19, 2009). . GameSpot. Archived from the original on July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^Spencer (June 17, 2009). . Siliconera. Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^Yoon, Andrew (June 17, 2009). . Engadget. Archived from the original on July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^Fahey, Mike (July 17, 2009). . Kotaku. Archived from the original on July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^Chester, Nick (June 17, 2009). . Destructoid. Archived from the original on January 14, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
^ abcdeBarker, Sammy (April 8, 2009). . Push Square. Archived from the original on July 18, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^. Bandai Namco Entertainment. February 5, 2018. Archived from the original on July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^. Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^ abcdGuss, Ian (July 28, 2009). . GamePro. Archived from the original on April 19, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
^"Store Roundup - Namco Museum Essentials". No. 193. Future Publishing. Play. July 2010. p. 103. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
External linksedit
Official Japanese website
October 27, 2023
namco, museum, essentials, 2009, video, game, compilation, developed, cattle, call, published, namco, bandai, games, playstation, collection, includes, five, namco, arcade, games, from, 1980s, 1980, galaga, 1981, 1982, xevious, 1983, dragon, spirit, 1987, alon. Namco Museum Essentials b is a 2009 video game compilation developed by Cattle Call and published by Namco Bandai Games for the PlayStation 3 The collection includes five Namco arcade games from the 1980s Pac Man 1980 Galaga 1981 Dig Dug 1982 Xevious 1983 and Dragon Spirit 1987 alongside an exclusive Xevious sequel Xevious Resurrection Player progress is rewarded with stamps which could be redeemed for virtual items in the now defunct PlayStation Home service Stamps also award points when collected used to unlock extra features such as wallpapers Namco Museum EssentialsPlayStation 3 cover artDeveloper s Cattle Call a Publisher s Namco Bandai GamesSeriesNamco MuseumPlatform s PlayStation 3ReleaseJP January 29 2009NA July 16 2009PAL April 1 2010Genre s VariousMode s Single player multiplayerThe comm in the game s Japanese title is thought to stand for community based on the game s online functionality To help promote the game Namco Bandai set up a custom PlayStation Home hub space featuring a demo of the game Upon release Namco Museum Essentials was met with a mixed reception from critics although it was criticized for its small game library and lack of multiplayer in most of the games reviewers praised the emulation quality unlockable extras and presentation It was removed from the PlayStation Store on March 15 2018 Contents 1 Games 1 1 Xevious Resurrection 2 Development 3 Reception 4 Notes 5 References 6 External linksGames edit nbsp PlayStation 3 version screenshot Namco Museum Essentials consists of six games five of these are Namco arcade games from the 1980s while the sixth Xevious Resurrection is exclusive to this collection 1 The arcade games allow the player to start on any stage the player had previously been to as well as featuring a score attack mode where the player is to gain as many points possible before dying 1 2 In game options allow the player to change the number of lives and border artwork Multiplayer is excluded from each game with the exception of Xevious Resurrection 1 By completing certain objectives in each of the games players are rewarded with stamps that were redeemable for items in the now defunct PlayStation Home service such as shirts hats and arcade cabinets 3 the game includes over 50 unlockable items 2 Stamps also award points when unlocked which can increase a player s account level 2 reaching new levels can also unlock items such as wallpapers 1 Online leaderboards are also present allowing players to view scores from other users around the world as well as from friends 1 Players also have access to a sound test and the ability to record a friend s progress 4 Xevious Resurrection edit nbsp In game screenshot Xevious Resurrection is a vertical scrolling shooter video game serving as a modern update of the original Xevious arcade game Up to two players control their respective Solvalou starships white for player one and black for player two and must wipe out the Xevious forces and their supercomputer leader GAMP before they take over Earth The Solvalou have two weapons at their disposal an air zapper that can destroy flying enemies and a blaster bomb that can destroy ground stationed enemies New to this game is a shield system that the Solvalou can use to protect themselves from enemy projectiles for a short period of time Using the shield depletes a potion of the shield meter at the sides of the screen which can be refilled by collected orange triangular shaped pickups dropped by certain enemies 5 The game is composed of several stages referred in game as areas consisting of outer space forests deserts featuring the Nazca lines from Peru 6 and mechanical bases similar to Solvalou and Xevious 3D G 7 Some areas feature bosses that the player must defeat in order to progress one being a rematch with the Andor Genesis mothership from the first Xevious game Bombing pre determined spots on the ground in some areas can reveal Sol towers which can be destroyed for extra points and Rally X Special Flags that will award the player an extra life when collected 6 Players can earn stamps by completing certain in game objectives unlocking special items for their PlayStation Home digital apartment Development editNamco Museum Essentials was published by Namco Bandai Games for the PlayStation 3 Development was outsourced to Cattle Call 8 and titled Namco Museum comm for its Japanese release the comm believed to mean community in reference to the game s online services 9 To help promote the game Namco Bandai created a custom PlayStation Home hub area 10 which was also used to promote their other digital only games players could unlock additional items for their PlayStation Home upon visiting the space and could also play a demo of Essentials 11 12 which was titled Namco Museum BETA c in Japan 6 The game was one of the earliest titles to utilize PlayStation Home s rewards system 13 Xevious Resurrection was created to remake the core Xevious gameplay for a modern shoot em up audience 14 Essentials was released in Japan on January 29 2009 6 in North America on July 16 2009 15 and in Europe on April 1 2010 15 The game was pulled from the PlayStation Store on March 15 2018 16 Reception editReceptionAggregate scoreAggregatorScoreMetacritic64 100 17 Review scoresPublicationScoreGamePro3 5 5 18 IGN7 5 10 1 Play60 19 Push Square nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp 15 Upon release Namco Museum Essentials was met with mixed reviews from critics Although criticism was drawn towards the small game library and lack of online multiplayer praise was given to the game s presentation emulation quality and unlockable extras It holds a 64 out of 100 on Metacritic In their review IGN called the overall presentation top notch praising the game s use of PlayStation Home and bonus content which they noted added replay value to the games 1 Push Square stated that the unlockable extras and leaderboards brings the classics into the 21st century as well as praising the emulation quality 15 GamePro complemented the addition of the stamp system claiming that it gave the game more depth 18 Despite this reviewers were critical of the small game library and lack of multiplayer GamePro criticized the game library for being too small and lacking any updated visuals or features as well as criticizing the lack of multiplayer and unnecessarily large file size 18 Similarly IGN expressed disappointment that multiplayer was excluded from the games except Xevious Resurrection as well as being critical of the small game library 1 Although GamePro disliked the game s price point advising readers to choose wisely before purchasing 18 Push Square contested this saying that it was worth the chance to fans of Namco s game catalog 15 In a retrospective review of Xevious Resurrection Sam Derboo of Hardcore Gaming 101 said the game s graphics were very effective for their budget noting how the backgrounds resembled satellite photographs 7 Notes edit Emulation by Gotch Technology Known in Japan as Namco Museum comm ナムコミュージアム comm Namuko Myujiamu comm Namco Museum BETA ナムコミュージアムBETA Namuko Myujiamu Beta References edit a b c d e f g h Roper Chris July 21 2009 Namco Museum Essentials Review IGN Archived from the original on July 13 2019 Retrieved July 15 2019 a b c Miller Greg June 12 2009 Namco Museum Essentials Hands on IGN Archived from the original on November 26 2018 Retrieved July 15 2019 Gerstmann Jeff June 17 2009 Namco Brings Its Museum To PS3 Home Giant Bomb Archived from the original on July 15 2019 Retrieved July 15 2019 Takizawa Osamu January 29 2009 バンダイナムコ PS3 ナムコミュージアム comm PS Home 連動機能や ゼビウス の新作を収録して配信開始 GAME Watch Archived from the original on August 6 2017 Retrieved July 15 2019 Miller Greg June 12 2009 Namco Museum Essentials Hands on IGN Archived from the original on July 15 2019 Retrieved August 30 2019 a b c d Dengeki Online 6つのゲームを収録した ナムコミュージアム comm 明日リリース Dengeki Online Archived from the original on February 5 2019 Retrieved July 15 2019 a b Derboo Sam December 10 2013 Xevious Resurrection Hardcore Gaming 101 Archived from the original on May 10 2019 Retrieved August 29 2019 Profile Cattle Call Archived from the original on March 26 2017 Retrieved July 15 2019 Spencer January 28 2009 New Xevious Bundled With PSN Namco Museum Siliconera Archived from the original on March 22 2019 Retrieved July 15 2019 Sinclair Breden June 19 2009 PlayStation Network catalogs Namco Museum Essentials GameSpot Archived from the original on July 15 2019 Retrieved July 15 2019 Spencer June 17 2009 Xevious Resurrection And The Idolm ster Coming To Our PlayStation Home Siliconera Archived from the original on August 10 2011 Retrieved July 15 2019 Yoon Andrew June 17 2009 Namco Museum Essentials coming to PlayStation Home in July Engadget Archived from the original on July 15 2019 Retrieved July 15 2019 Fahey Mike July 17 2009 Namco Museum Essentials Brings Namco Bandai Home Kotaku Archived from the original on July 15 2019 Retrieved July 15 2019 Chester Nick June 17 2009 Namco Museum Essentials coming to PSN with updated Xevious Destructoid Archived from the original on January 14 2010 Retrieved August 30 2019 a b c d e Barker Sammy April 8 2009 Namco Museum Essentials Review Push Square Archived from the original on July 18 2017 Retrieved July 15 2019 PlayStation 3用ソフト ナムコミュージアム comm ナムコミュージアム ＢＥＴＡ 無料体験版 配信終了のお知らせ Bandai Namco Entertainment February 5 2018 Archived from the original on July 15 2019 Retrieved July 15 2019 Namco Museum Essentials for PlayStation 3 Review Metacritic Archived from the original on December 25 2018 Retrieved July 15 2019 a b c d Guss Ian July 28 2009 PSN Review Namco Museum Essentials GamePro Archived from the original on April 19 2010 Retrieved July 15 2019 Store Roundup Namco Museum Essentials No 193 Future Publishing Play July 2010 p 103 Retrieved April 6 2021 External links editOfficial Japanese website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Namco Museum Essentials amp oldid 1133296142, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
