March 23, 2005

Namco is the rare software developer in the world that's got it right. They make great games and develop them for the right console. The Xenosaga series is the perfect PS2 RPG series. Their multi-console efforts from Soul Calibur II and Pac-Man World 2 are awsome. Their relationship with Nintendo is legendary. It started in crap and then grew into love, especialy with the whole Tri-Force deal goin' on. Yes, Namco is doin' it right.

In the news, we are hearing that EA is hitting apon bad times. Their recent purchases of software developers is begining to hit them hard. Sega is struggling to find out just who the hell they are. Sonic Team seems to be the only development team within Sega making games from Sonic to Phantasy Star. Namco however is a different story. Their recent release of titles from Ace Combat 5 to Star Fox Assault to Xenosaga Episode II have all been solid efforts from the house that Pac-Man built. My suggestion to developers out there, if they wanna be sucessful maybe they should take a look at Namco is doing.

In North America tomorrow, the Sony PSP launches. The number one launch title to own, picked from countless internet forums and websites is Ridge Racer, the Namco racer. Of course Namco loves launches. The Dreamcast got the phenominal Soul Calibur which gamers still whisper in the air. The GBA was launched with a very nice Namco Museum collection. It was a week after the DS launch that Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits and Ridge Racer DS both appeared on store shelves. Heck, the Playstations 1 and 2 both got Ridge Racer titles apon launch. Yes, Namco loves games and so do we.

I love this company cause they support every single console and handheld on the market. You gotta cellphone? You can get Pac-Man for it. You got a PalmPilot? You can get Ms. Pac-Man for it. Namco kicks ass on so many levels. I love owning a DS because of them. Mr. Driller kicks ass and I love Ridge Racer DS. Heck, their not even done with the DS. Pac-Pix hits store shelves at the end of April and it looks phenominal. Pac'N Roll will arrive a month or two after. I love that Pac-Man is starring in some very new and exciting DS titles that will exploit the system's unique abilities.

Speaking of Pac-Man, It's his 25th birthday. I remember being a young lad and playing Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man royaly in arcades. Getting up Saurday mornings with my big bowl of cereal watching the Hanna-Barbara Pac-Man cartoon show. After the show I'd bust out my Coleco Pac-Man tabletop and play a few rounds of the yellow critter. Pac-Man rules. A port has been made for every single console in history and even the PSP is getting it's own port with a Namco Museum very soon. Yep, pac-Man is the MAN. Even the missis is legendary for her very own arcade game. Ms. Pac-Man released in 1981 is believed to be the greatest arcade game of all time. I'd tie that with Galaga. The two even got a re-release back in arcades a few years back in a beautiful "Namco 20th Anniversary" cabinet.

To celebrate Pac-Man's 25th Anniversary, Namco has just announced Pac-Man World 3 for all the consoles including the PC and Sony PSP. Expect a Fall 2005 release for another round of Pac-Man fun! Happy Birthday Pac-Man!

- Kelley

For archival purposes, here is the complete Namco press release for Pac-Man World 3. Below it is the press release for Pac-Pix.

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NAMCO CELEBRATES PAC-MAN’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY WITH PAC-MAN WORLD™ 3

Newest Addition To The Family Of Games Featuring The Adored Character Slated To Hit Store Shelves This Fall

03/21/2005

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (March 21, 2005) – Leading video games developer and publisher Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that it is celebrating Pac-Man’s 25th birthday with the release of Pac-Man World 3 this fall. The latest iteration of the classic series will be available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Microsoft Xbox®, Nintendo GameCube™, PSP™ handheld entertainment system, and PC.

The world was first introduced to Toru Iwatani’s yellow dot muncher in 1980. Shaped like a pizza missing a slice and making a wocka wocka wocka sound, Pac-Man exploded onto the video game scene and never looked back. 25 years later, Pac-Man has starred in dozens of games and has been the inspiration for more than 400 different products from cereal to watches to air fresheners and even a cartoon.

“Pac-Man helped launch video games into the mainstream, and as he turns 25 this year, we are happy to see that he continues to have an enduring appeal,” said Garry Cole, Executive Vice President of Namco Hometek Inc. “We’re delighted that today’s generation is still able to experience the magic of Pac-Man with Pac-Man World 3.”

“Like all of us, Pac-Man has evolved over the years, changing with the times,” said Toru Iwatani, creator of Pac-Man. “People love Pac-Man because he’s simple and cute and most important FUN.”

In a mad search for power, evil genius Erwin creates a machine that can penetrate into the world of the Ghosts…the Spectral Realm! But now the Spectral Realm is collapsing into the real world, and this will bring about a massive catastrophe that will plunge the world into a state of devistation for years to come!

After mysteriously having been transported out of Pac-Village and into this strange and different land, it is up to Pac-Man to uncover Erwin’s plot and save the world. Along the way, Pac-Man will meet a host of unexpected “old friends,” and in order to defeat the ultimate enemy, he might just have to turn his old foes into allies!

While combining contemporary platform game mechanics with traditional Pac-Man play principles, Pac-Man World 3 features Pac-Man staples including Power Pellets, Pac-Dots, Pac-Chains and fruit while adding new elements such as a Pactrometer, power-up smoothies and several new special moves. Players will even get to play as Pinky and Clyde, who each have distinctive special abilities.

About Namco Hometek Inc.

Namco Hometek Inc. is the U.S. consumer division of Namco Limited, a Tokyo-based world leader in the high-tech entertainment industry. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Namco Hometek Inc. is an award-winning video games publisher for next generation game consoles. Namco has created some of the industry's greatest video game franchises: Tekken®, SOULCALIBUR®, Dead to Rights®, Pac-Man World™, Ridge Racer®, Time Crisis® and ACECOMBAT™. For more information about Namco and its products log onto www.namco.com.

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PAC-MAN® TO MAKE NINTENDO DS™ DEBUT IN PAC-PIX™

Namco’s Legendary Videogame Icon Comes To Life Through Player’s Drawings and New Technology

03/09/2005

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (March 9, 2005) – Global video games publisher Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that Pac-Man®’s newest adventure will be available for the U.S. market in April 2005. Exclusively for the Nintendo DS™, Pac-Pix™ joins Namco’s previously released DS titles –- Mr. DRILLER® Drill Spirits™ and Ridge Racer® DS – in an exciting new take on the classic franchise.

In Pac-Pix, Namco’s iconic hero finds himself facing off against his perennial foes – the Ghosts. With the aid of mysterious “Ghost Ink,” a mischievous wizard has drawn meddling Ghosts from thin air. Armed with only his mighty Magic Pen, Pac-Man rushed to defeat the Ghosts and to lock them into a book. But in the process of turning them back into Ghost Ink, our hero finds himself trapped inside. Now, using the DS stylus, players must resume Pac-Man’s quest by drawing him into life and directing his movements on the lower screen of the Nintendo DS.

“Pac-Pix gives players a completely new way to experience Pac-Man!” said Yoshi Niki, Business Unit Director with Namco Hometek Inc. “With the help of the Nintendo DS’s stylus, players have full control of Pac-Man’s every move and fate.”

Combining exciting new technology and the timeless gameplay of one of the world’s most beloved franchises, Pac-Pix promises to be a handheld game like no other and a must-have for Pac-Man fans. Players must draw multiple Pac-Mans in order to eat all the Ghosts – drawing a bigger Pac-Man allows him to take on bigger Ghosts. Or, the player can control Pac-Man’s movements by drawing walls in his path to force him to change direction and hunt down the sneaky Ghosts. Players can also enjoy collecting hidden items along the way and unlock the ability to draw Ghost-shooting arrows and even bombs – the bigger the bomb, the bigger the blast!

For more information on Pac Pix for the Nintendo DS, please visit: www.namco.com

About Namco Hometek Inc.

Namco Hometek Inc. is the U.S. consumer division of Namco Limited, a Tokyo-based world leader in the high-tech entertainment industry. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Namco Hometek Inc. is an award-winning video games publisher for next generation game consoles. Namco has created some of the industry's greatest video game franchises: Tekken®, SOULCALIBUR®, Dead to Rights®, Pac-Man World™, Ridge Racer®, Time Crisis® and ACECOMBAT™. For more information about Namco and its products log onto www.namco.com.