Namco All-Stars is a series of two downloadable games developed and published by Namco Networks in 2009 for Microsoft Windows. The series is comprised of original ports of Pac-Man (1980) and Dig Dug (1982) , with additional extra features.
Both games were sold separately via several digital game service outlets, while a special version of the game bundling both versions of the game into a single launcher (titled Namco All-Stars: Pac-Man and Dig Dug) was sold only on the "Namco Games" and Pac-Man websites.[1][2]
Overview[]
Main article: Pac-Man (game)
Gameplay of Namco All-Stars: Pac-Man in the "Enhanced" game mode.
Namco All-Stars is a duology of original ports based on Namco's Pac-Man and Dig Dug. Both games follow the same gameplay as the arcade originals, sans minor differences towards gameplay and visuals. Compared to previous ports, the Namco All-Stars ports are original native recreations of each game (rather than using emulation or the original games' source code).
Namco All-Stars games can be played with a keyboard and joystick/gamepad, but also adds mouse controls to each game (i.e. Pac-Man's movements can be guided with the mouse). Other notable additions to the games include the ability to select easier difficulties for both games; in the Normal difficulty, the game speed is decreased and allows the player to react more easily; the Easy difficulty sets the default set of lives to 5 in addition to the slower game speed. The player can also set the starting round of a game to a round previously achieved by the player. In each game, a side panel located on the right also keeps track of game stats. In Pac-Man, the game keeps track of the amount of Pac-Dots eaten, distance traveled, time elapsed in a game, the last ghost that touched Pac-Man and the amount of ghosts eaten. A continue feature is also added in the event the player gets a Game Over.
Namco All-Stars also notably features the addition of an "Enhanced" mode for both games. While gameplay remains the same regardless of the mode chosen, choosing the Enhanced mode alters the graphics and sounds with new and more detailed features. Enhanced mode Pac-Man applies a neon-rainbow grid-like feel to the maze. Subtle glowing effects to the Pac-Dots are also added as Pac-Man approaches them, alongside echoing sound effects.
Trivia[]
- On the title screens for both games, the first stage themes for both Pac-Man Arrangement and Dig Dug Arrangement from Namco Museum Battle Collection can be heard.
- The "Enhanced" mode for Pac-Man takes aesthetical similarities to Pac-Man Championship Edition.
- The port of Pac-Man featured shares various features that first appeared in the original iOS version of Pac-Man, which released in 2008 and was also developed by Namco Networks.
- The Namco All-Stars version of Pac-Man (alongside Pac-Man Pizza Parlor) was present in Steam's API beginning in May of 2013; however, the game was removed in August of the same year. This indicates that the game was planned for a Steam release, but was either canceled or was only available for a very limited time.[3]
- Dig Dug appears to also be present in the API, though its game ID token is unknown.[4]
- At one point, the Namco All-Stars titles were sold on Facebook; the Facebook releases featured an additional "J2Play" program that allowed for Facebook connectivity.[5]
- For unknown reasons, the Zeebo version of Pac-Mania features similar UI to the Namco All-Stars version of Pac-Man.
Gallery[]
