Revisiting gaming's classics isn't an easy task, especially when you're talking about nostalgic titans like "Pac-Man" and "Galaga."
But team director Tadashi Iguchi and his team at Namco Bandai proved skeptics wrong with the acclaimed success of "Pac-Man C.E." and, most recently, "Galaga Legions."
Both projects have been deemed remakes, but Iguchi doesn't subscribe to that label. The designer told MTV Multiplayer over e-mail that he considers them "reconstructions." Specifically, Iguchi views "Galaga Legions" as a "mutation" from the original, whereas "Pac-Man C.E." was a "legitimate evolution."
The reason? "Pac-Men" creator Toru Iwatani kept shooting down their ideas.
Read more...
"The games I personally find to be the most influential are 'Xevious' and 'Geometry Wars.' 'Xevious' is the game I was most taken with during my childhood, and it is the title that led me to want to work at Namco. On the other hand, 'Geometry Wars' made me very interested in the Xbox hardware, which I didn't really care about before it was released. Both of these games had a big impact on 'Pac-Man C.E.' and 'Galaga Legions.' In these days where people only can make million-dollar budget games that are reality-centered, I was encouraged a lot by the fact that many people from all over the world respect these kinds of symbolic-style games. Both titles have none of the futile visual effects, and are titles that have beautiful balance between its symbolic style and game balance."
-- "Galaga Legions" and "Pac-Man C.E." team director Tadashi Iguchi via e-mail telling me about his influences when revisiting Namco Bandai's classic games
What I've got here is not a list of the greatest video games of the year. I already gave you that.
This is not a list of the 10 most amazing video game news stories or controversies.
No, instead, for the third year running I am presenting my list of the 10 Great Gaming Moments Of The Year.
(I published in full on Tuesday at MTVNews.com)
These are the 10 coolest, most interesting things I came across in the games I played during the last 12 months. Yes, I'm using really subjective criteria. I don't care. I like making this list every year as a way to highlight some small but shining touches that pop up in great and even not-so-great games.
To give you some context -- and to give time for the drumroll -- there were my lists for 2005 and 2006. (Click the links for full explanations of each moment)
The Year In Video Games: 2005's Greatest Gaming Moments
- Arguing With The Panda King: "Sly 3" (PlayStation 2)
- Assisting Digestion: "WarioWare Twisted" (Game Boy Advance)
- Battling A Virtual Chef: "EyeToy Play 2" (PlayStation 2)
- Clearing The Screen: "Lumines" (PSP)
- Climbing A Giant's Beard: "Shadow of the Colossus" (PlayStation 2)
- Rolling A Rainstorm: "We Love Katamari" (PlayStation 2)
- Sketching One's Own Wanted Poster: "Indigo Prophecy" (Xbox/PC/PlayStation 2)
- Feeling Guilty: "God Of War" (PlayStation 2)
- Training A Sheepdog: "Nintendogs" (Nintendo DS)
- Waiting For The Washing Machine: "World Of Warcraft" (PC)
My 10 Great Gaming Moments of 2006
- The 60-Brick Bonus: “Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy” (PS2, GameCube, Xbox 360)
- The 66-Pin Strike: “Wii Sports” (Nintendo Wii)
- Bomb the Bridge: "Marc Ecko’s Getting Up" (PS2)
- Dog Throws The Car: “Half-Life 2: Episode One” (PC)
- Jack Bauer Goes On Tour: “24: The Game” (PS2)
- “Mario” Meets “Spy Hunter” With One Giant Leap: “Pursuit Force” (PSP)
- Hearing The Sound Of Victory: “Sound Voyager” (Game Boy Advance)
- Tea Time With Mrs. Sanderson: “Chibi-Robo” (GameCube)
- The Toilet-Paper Toss: “Bully” (PS2)
- Feeling The Video Game Blues: “Defcon” (PC)
And here are my Top 10 Gaming Moments for 2007...
Read more...
Who says that you need a disk to have some fun playing video games? Sometimes all you need is a little bit of hard drive space. Ranging from updated classics to brave new takes on tried-and-true genres, here is my list of the top-ten downloadable games for your consoles.
1. Pac-Man: Championship Edition (Xbox 360)
The original "Pac-Man" was one of the games that changed the world, but the Championship Edition goes to a whole new pellet-munching level. Timed levels, crazy effects, and intense challenges make "Pac-Man C.E." a worthy successor to the Pac-Man crown. Hopefully 2008 will bring us "Ms. Pac-Man C.E." (I really do love her bow).
2. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (Wii)
A classic finally made its way across the Pacific in its original form. The true sequel to the greatest game of all time, "Super Mario Bros. 2" (as it is known in Japan) picks up right where the first game left off, and keeps true to the game's 8-bit visual and audio style. Although it was released on the SNES "Super Mario All-Stars" compilation, true hardcore fans know it just wasn’t the same.
Read more...
Sure, you could go and spend hundreds of dollars on your awesome gaming keyboard, and mouse, but why would you spend more than $13.37 on your mousepad?
While there are much more expensive mousepads in the world, there are very few that are as nostalgic or awesome as the official Pac-Man Mousepads, yours for only $9.99 each (not including shipping and handling).
Namco Bandai’s official merchandise store, Club Namco, offers you the option of having either Pac-Man or Ms. Pac-Man protect your desk surface. Both pads feature a classic screenshot from each respective game on an 8” x 7.5” vynex pad, all for a very reasonable price.
Read more...
Well, we told you we went to the Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championships, and now we have the proof. Check out the video, which includes an intro from Major Nelson and sage advice from Pac-Man legend Billy Mitchell and Pac-Man champion Carlos Romero. Then we take Pac-Man where you've never seen him before... Enjoy! Courtesy of The G-Hole.
