Control:  
Each of the five games’ controls all have one thing in common: simplicity. They all are ports of arcade gems, so one should expect that there isn’t much learning curve to the controls. Ms. Pac Man is very simple – you use the d-pad to move and can hold the L button down to allow the screen to scroll so you can see what’s going on with the part of the maze that you cannot see, if you aren’t playing the game full screen. Galaga, Dig Dug, and Galaxian all require the d-pad for directional movement, and “A” for firing your shots at the foes. Finally, there’s Pole Position – the one game that has any real control issues worth moaning about. Pole Position’s transition from arcade to handheld simply doesn’t fare as well as the other four aforementioned titles, due to it being very difficult to keep your speed demon in control with the directional pad. You’ll find yourself veering off the road way too frequently due to the D-Pad being very unforgiving.

Gameplay:  
I personally found Galaga, Ms. Pac Man, and Dig Dug to all provide enough bang for the buck to make this compilation of games an enjoyment. Galaga is as classic of a shooter as you can get, with total emphasis being placed on the gamer’s ability to hit targets while avoiding fire and kamikaze pilots. Just like the original, dual-ships can be obtained so as to bestow even more carnage on anything in your line of fire. Galaxian is decent until you touch Galaga – it is essentially the same thing except a much slower-paced and older version. There isn’t much of a reason to play Galaxian when Galaga is included. Ms. Pac Man definitely brings back excellent memories and is a near-perfect port. For those who are sad enough to have no idea what Pac Man entails, but yet are reading this review, I offer you a very short summary of the game: You’re a yellow thing with a big mouth and you roam around a maze-like setting trying to eat anything in your path. There are ghosts that try to put an end to you, and likewise you must avoid them, too. Next up, Dig Dug – a fun game that might get tiresome for some people after 10 minutes of playing. This game puts you in under the ground and with little creatures scattered throughout the underground. You can create paths wherever you want, with the ultimate intentions of getting to the creatures and killing them before they kill you. It’s hard to explain, but it is also quite the challenge. Finally, Pole Position. With only one track, and shoddy controls that have been explained above, I never had a desire to play this game for more than one or two runs at once.

As said for about the fiftieth time now, the five games in this pak are practically arcade perfect ports. With this said, their strength is definitely the “pick up and play” factor that each of the games provides. All of them are perfect for if you only have five minutes available – or if you have an hour.

However, one of the primary reasons you’d play these games, be it in the arcade, or on the GBA, is to try to beat your previous best scores. Herein lies a major flaw: this GBA version doesn’t save any high scores, so when you turn the game off, the top scores are banished into oblivion.

Sound:
Almost arcade perfect – nothing more, not much less. There are a few places where gaming aficionados may notice a sound is missing, but otherwise, all sounds are identical to what they were many years ago. Right down to a very grainy, not crisp announcer that says a few short glibs in Pole Position. Most of the games feature 3-4 sound effects per game – nothing too annoying, but nothing that adds too much, either. Finally, there is some intro music that is kind of catchy and definitely more modern feeling.

OVERALL:
If you love classic shooting games and action, then this game should more than fill your craving – however, if you’re expecting something new or some enhancements made to these classics, you’ll be in for a disappointment. Likewise, this game is not for everyone, especially newbies whom aren’t ready for a jolt of old school simplicity. Definitely rent this game if you’re unsure of whether these classics will hold your interested, and if thinking about any of them brings a great big smile to your face, make a purchase of Namco Museum.

 

The Lowdown on  Namco Museum Aesthetics: Average Control: Above Average Gameplay: Above Average Multiplayer: Sound: Below Average Innovation: 2/6 Lasting Appeal: 3/6 Overall: Above Average! "A Quality Game"