Tiny Diggers – An iPad Construction Truck Game for Kids Age 2-5

While the Namco Museum titles have hit every platform you can imagine, and many might simply turn up their nose at another appearance, I think it’s important to keep in mind that this is not Tetris Worlds. While both appear everywhere, Namco Museum contains quality. This is a budget title filled with genuine classics. While not every gamer will find every title in Namco Museum a gem, here are three notables I’d like to point out, then Namco’s press release is below for you complete-ists out there.

Pac-Man VS. was a Gamecube disc pack-in for three Namco titles in 2003 for the Gamecube: i-Ninja, Pac-Man World 2, and R:Racing Evolution. This was a project of Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto, who has famously said that Pac-Man is his favorite game. It’s a multi-player Pac-Man game where one player plays as the eponymous dot-muncher on a standard franchise maze on their GBA screen, and the other three players play as ghosts with a limited field of view for each on the TV screen via the Gamecube, using Gamecube controllers. The result was that the ghosts did not know where Pac-Man was until they stumbled upon him, at which point the room would erupt with shouts of, “he’s over here!” The mechanic is fixed with the DS conversion, because while perhaps the 3 GBAs for every Gamecube ratio was pretty solid in 2003, it never seemed to work out as well as the numbers imply. Single-card download play on the super-popular DS ought to do the trick just right. Some are bound to argue that no classic is a mere four years old, but improved accessibility for a great, nigh-invisible title like this is worth any rule bending.

Mappy. Joe likes Mappy.

The Tower of Druaga is a game I had never heard of until I played Baten Kaitos on the Gamecube. One trippy, twisted location in the game actually incorporates a version of the game directly into its gameplay. Your detailed 3D character is running around a low-res sprite maze, and when you collide with the blobs in the game it triggers a full battle like any other enemy encounter in the game. Its was one of the strangest things I ever saw in an RPG, and once I did the research to find out what was going on, I loved it.

Notably missing in this collection is the original Dig-Dug, while Dig-Dug II is there. Also, Pac-Man is here, but the more popular Ms. Pac-Man is not.

NAMCO MUSEUM‚Ñ¢ DS GOES GOLD

Eight Classic Titles Set to Deliver Timeless Arcade Fun at a Budget Price with Unique Dual-Screen Presentation, Game Sharing and Wireless Multiplayer Support

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (August 10, 2007) – Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that Namco MuseumTM DS has gone gold and will ship to stores nationwide for the Nintendo DS™ on September 10. Compiling seven timeless arcade classics and the landmark Nintendo GameCube™ title Pac-Man® Vs., Namco Museum DS delivers unparalleled gameplay value as players relive their favorite gaming memories anytime, anywhere.

Delivering players into a virtual arcade packed with landmark hits from the past, Namco Museum DS lets players enjoy each game their way, choosing from a number of different screen configurations and fun settings such as sound tests and secrets for each game. Players can also wirelessly send demo versions of each game in Namco Museum DS to others, sharing the arcade fun with friends and family using only one game card.

Namco Museum DS includes the following gaming hits:

Pac-Man VS.

Originally released in 2003 – For the first time in Pac-Man history, you and your friends now have the chance to be the famous ghosts from Pac-Man! With one person playing as Pac-Man and up to 3 people playing as ghosts, this incredibly fun multiplayer game offers nonstop enjoyment with just one game card.

Dig Dug® II

Originally released in 1985 – Equipped with only a drill and a pump, hit weak fault line points in an attempt to sink portions of an island, sending your enemies deep into the sea!

Galaga®

Originally released in 1981 – Pilot a space ship, fend off frantic swarms of aliens, try your luck with “Challenging Stages,” and find the best way to deal with enemies’ powerful tractor beams!

Galaxian®

Originally released in 1979 – A precursor to Galaga, shoot flying aliens as they move in formation to attack you.

Mappy®

Originally released in 1983 – Control Mappy, a police mouse, as he attempts to bring a band of criminal cats to justice. Bounce on trampolines and open or close doors to dodge chasing enemies, all in an attempt to retrieve valuable items from the cats’ mansion

Pac-Man

Originally released in 1980 – Play the most popular arcade game of all time! Navigate the yellow fellow through the original Pac-Man maze, avoid ghosts while chomping pellets and fruit and use power pellets to turn the ghosts blue and get some payback!

The Tower of Druaga®

Originally released in 1984 – Control a heroic prince, using your sword and shield to slay the terrible demon Druaga.

Xevious®

Originally released in 1982 – Use heavily armed aircraft to destroy enemies and targets in the air and on the ground.

Namco Museum DS carries a suggested retail price of $19.99 and will be available in stores on September 10. For more information on the Namco Museum franchise, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com.