"Namco Fire Truck" refers to a series of claw/crane machines, released by ICE some time in the 2000s. The machines were only distributed in locations vended by Namco USA (prior to their 2021 closure), such as AMC movie theaters.
Overview[]
The Namco Fire Truck machines were remodeled from a much older ICE-manufactured machine known as "Plush Bus". The game was redesigned to resemble a fire truck, with Pac-Man (alongside a dalmatian) seen driving from the back of the machine; the Plush Bus marquee was replaced with the Namco logo. Oddly, some versions change the audio to a fire truck siren, while others retain the bus sounds. There is an uncommon alternate version resembling an ice cream truck, which features Baby Pac-Man on the machine's back.
Two machine sizes were produced: a standard one-player model, and a giant model that seems to allow for four players.
Trivia[]
- Following Namco USA's closure, arcade operators were reportedly ordered to "strip and destroy" Pac-Man branding pertaining to the arcade locations. Oddly, this seemingly included the Namco Fire Truck machines (despite not applying to regular Pac-Man cabinets); resulting in the former Namco USA locations stripping the machines of all Pac-Man artwork.
- Several pieces of Pac-Man merchandise were seemingly exclusively distributed in Namco Fire Truck (and Pac-Man Play) claw machines. These include inflatable balls, fuzzy dice, and a set of teddy bears wearing 3D glasses, with Pac-Man characters on their stomachs.
Gallery[]
See also[]
- Pac-Man Play (claw machine series) - another, later series of ICE Pac-Man claw machines