Jakks / Namco Arcade Classics Plug and Play TV Games

by Namco

Product Features

• Video Console Includes: Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Galaxian, Rally-X, and Bosconian.
• AA Batteries not included

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009VDXX
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 8.5 x 9.8 inches ; 1 pounds
• Media: Toy
• Release Date: September 1, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (108 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,675 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Now you can relive some of the classic video games of the 80s with the Namco TV Games Video Game System. It's so easy to use -- just plug the handheld joystick into your TV or VCR and you're ready to play Pac-Man, Galaxian, Rally-X, DigDug or Bosconian. Requires 4 "AA" alkaline batteries (not included).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

124 of 129 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a precise recreation of the originals, February 19, 2004

By 

M. J. Pontillo "BigScaryMike" (Morton Grove, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Jakks / Namco Arcade Classics Plug and Play TV Games (Toy)

Being a nostalgia freak, I'm always on the lookout for products that allow you to bring the arcade classics into your home. While this device gets major points for convenience (just plug it into your TV or VCR and go), I found the actual gameplay disappointing...and considerably different from the original arcade versions.

All of these games have the difficulty kicked WAY up. If you remember the arcade versions of Pac-Man, Galaxian, and Rally-X, you will be amazed at the speed of your pursuers. And if you remember the patterns that "expert" Pac-Man players employed to get high scores, don't bother. They don't work here.

This wouldn't be such a big deal if there were some configurable options, such as difficulty level and bonus thresholds. However, the manufacturer has solidly locked these games down - you can't even specify a two-player game.

Visually, the games look like the real deal, although there has been some reformatting of the screens to fit the aspect ratio of your TV screen. You'll recall that the original Pac-Man and Galaxian games featured long vertical screens. Here, they are squared off and the score counters moved from the top to the right side of the screen. No complaints there. But the attract modes of the games are not consistent with the arcade versions. Pac-Man and Galaxian are faithfully recreated, but Dig-Dug has only a static title screen. No character animation or instructions are provided. And, to my ear, the game sounds and music (for all of the games) are not authentic. Close, but not quite.

Pac-Man, Galaxian, and Dig-Dug were released a while back by Microsoft in their "Return of Arcade" product. While you need a Windows PC to play these, they are much more authentic recreations of the original games than what is provided here. Plus, they are fully configurable.

Regarding durability - I see some folks have issues, but my unit has held up fine. The only fit/finish issue I have is that the small metal cap at the base of the joystick is not fastened to anything, and slides up and down. Perhaps that is by design, but it seems flimsy.

If you just want to put the kids in front of the TV and keep them quiet, these issues probably don't matter. However, I have my doubts that young kids will show much interest in these antiques. I suspect the real target audience for this toy is people like me who remember the originals and want to recreate them at home. And for me, this falls short.

104 of 109 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No Quarters Required!, December 6, 2003

By 

Steven Y. "Pop Culture Addict" (Marvel Universe 616) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jakks / Namco Arcade Classics Plug and Play TV Games (Toy)

Playing the games on the "Namco TV Games" video game system not only took me on a trip down memory lane but it also made me wonder just how many quarters I fed into all those Pac-Man machines in my youth? Probably enough for a down-payment on a condominium now that I think about it . . .

Anyway, the "Namco TV Games" video game system is a great value for the price. You get recreations of five video games from the 1980's in a non-hassle format. All you do is insert 4 AA batteries and plug the joystick wires into your TV to start making questionable use of your time. All of the games are fun but each has its own minor problems. Yet, there's not much time for complaining while you're being swept up in one heck of a nostalgia trip.

Game number one is PAC-MAN. Of course this game needs no introduction. This is the game that made cannibalism cool again. While the graphics and sound are dead-on reproductions, there is one serious drawback with the game - the maze does not change in the same manner as the original game did as you progressed from level to level. But, it sure is great to see old friends Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde again - they haven't aged a day!

Game number two is GALAXIAN. The graphics are great but the change in the sound effects is a little disappointing. Still, this shoot-first-and-take-no-prisoners game is as fun as ever. The game is nothing more than SPACE INVADERS in space but it still retains its highly-addictive nature.

Game number three is RALLY-X. I vaguely recall seeing this game around when I was younger, but I never really played it. You drive a car through a maze and pick up flags while trying to avoid rival cars and boulders. It is an okay game but it doesn't rank with PAC-MAN and GALAXIAN.

Game number four is DIGDUG. Oh man, I spent the better part of my high school years playing this game on my relic Atari computer. The graphics and sound are faithful to the original game. The only downside is that there aren't those flowers that pop up on the surface to tell you what level you're on. I used to enjoy looking at all those flowers lined up in a row. Ah well, you can't have everything.

Game number five is BOSCONIAN. I absolutely do not remember this game at all so I can't compare the recreated version with the original. It's a variation of ASTEROIDS as you just basically have to blast everything in your way while in space. There are space stations, mines, asteroids, and enemy shapes harassing you while you blow things up real good all around you.

A final overall complaint is that the high scores for the individual games are not saved upon resetting the system, but in the final tally the "Namco TV Games" video game system is just a too-cool-for-words treat for all those refugees from the Eighties. I've lost many hours in my sleep schedule to this baby ever since I bought it a few days ago. Hopefully, the reported strong sales of this game system will inspire Namco to release a follow-up system with more classic games - my mouth is salivating at the possibilities! Buy it and enjoy! And this time you don't have to beg your mom for more quarters to keep the fun going!

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Over all is fun, but is slightly disappointing, December 21, 2003

By 

Steve Laner (Tulsa, OK United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jakks / Namco Arcade Classics Plug and Play TV Games (Toy)

As many have said, the sound is off. It's close enough to be reminiscient, but far enough off that I *immediately* noticed it.

Game play is not true to original arcade versions. AIs think differently and old patterns dont work. The real down side of this is that the AIs are dumber than in the original.

Reset button is too close to the fire button and too close to side of unit. Will find yourself accidently hitting it when in the midst of rapid fire and when trying to hang on to the clumsy shaped box while dodging enemies with joystick.

Unit's box shape is clumsy and hard to hold. Would be better if it wasnt so tall.

Joystick does have a good solid feel to it. And despite problems mentioned above, games are fun.

All in all, if you want some fun games that are reminiscient of the games of the past and have similar sounds and game play, then get it. If you want a unit that plays *exactly* like the originals, dont bother.

Be sure to shop around. I have seen units lately that have been selling for anywhere from $14.95 to $29.99. Some with free shipping (even some of the stores selling it for $14.95) and others with high shipping.