Oh yes Namco, one of the greatest video game company that we all loved from the past. It was well known for their successful franchises from the 80's to 2000's era such as Dig Dug, Galaxian, Xevious, Ridge Racer, Soul Cailbur, Time Crisis, Tales, Ace Combat, Tekken and of course Pac-Man. The company has later renamed their brand title to Bandai Namco, due to agreements between Namco and Bandai has accepted their partnership in 2006.
The reason why I've liked Namco is because I grew up playing those arcade titles and other different franchises in my childhood days, so I decided to make my own 5 favourite games that I really enjoyed playing the most and made my childhood quite memorable.
Here is my Top 5 Namco Games
5 - Ridge Racer (PS1)
It's Ridge Racer, RIDGEEEEE RACER!!!
It is a 1993 racing game was first released in arcade system and it is a main rivalry to SEGA's arcade racing titles such as Daytona USA. It's one of the first racing that utilised the 3D polygons graphics that runs on the arcade hardware called Namco System 22 which shows the demonstration of the 3D racing game itself and it is also introducing the drift mechanics which gives driving controls a smoother racing experience for the arcade-style gameplay. The PS1 version was released later in 1994 as a launch titles which received acclaimed reception from the critics praising the game for the graphics, sounds and gameplay. The success of the game has spread with numerous of the sequels.
The PS1 version is the most faithful ports that runs really well on the Sony's 32-bit system powerhouse, due to technical hardware achievements that took 8 months for game's developers to get it done by the winter release in 1994. It features 4 original tracks from the arcade and 8 additional cars to choose from. It has top-notch arcade gameplay with excellent drifting controls, stunning 3D graphics for the early PS1 game and it has catchy in-game tunes that really made Ridge Racer being the best racing games for the system.
4 - Time Crisis (Arcade)
It's really fun to play video games that uses the light gun controller to point and shoot at bunch of bad guys. Time Crisis is a rail-shooter arcade game was released in 1995, a same year as the release of SEGA's Virtua Cop 2. It's one of the first rail-shooter game that introduces a cover system which lets the player uses the foot pedal to hide behind the objects without taking damage from the enemy's projectiles. The game gains much positive overall from the critics for its gameplay innovation that adds the overall experiences of light gun shooter genres. It was later released for the PS1 in 1997 and still continuing to spawn the sequels for its franchises.
I was really surprising to see how awesome the Time Crisis is when playing on the arcade cabinet which increases my overall arcade experience. The arcade machine is well built with cool looking artwork on the side of the game cabinet, the metallic textures of foot pedal, it has nice larger screen and well designed gun controller. The game features 3 mission levels where the player must complete each area in a certain amount of time. What really made Time Crisis so great is the use of the cover system which I can able to hide, reload and shoot at the enemies with the gun controller and foot pedal is definitely fun to play on the arcade system and it has 3 action packed levels with epic boss battles that keeps the player well entertained. The playability of gun controller and foot pedal is very responsive and accurate making the gameplay more playable and fun which makes Time Crisis a such unique light gun shooter.
3 - Tekken 3 (PS1)
Back in early 90's when the Namco made the first 3D fighting game called Tekken was released for the Arcade in 1994, a year after the release of SEGA's Virtua Fighter. After porting to PS1 version in 1995 which received positive reception and becoming the best-selling fighting series for the Playstation consoles. The success of the first game has spread numerous of sequels, spin-offs, crossovers, and different types of media through to this popular fighting game franchise. The best titles on the series goes to Tekken 3 for the PS1 is a third installiment in the series, which considered being one of the greatest games of all time sold more than 8.5 million copies sold worldwide.
This game offers a largely new cast of characters such as Jin Kazama, Ling Xiaoyu, Julia Chang and Hwoarang with a total of 23 characters, and included a new beat'em up mode called Tekken Force, as well as the bonus Tekken Ball mode exclusivity for the PS1 version. The game still maintains the same core fighting system and concept as its predecessors with improved fighting controls and smoother gameplay which handles the game really well for the Playstation fighting game titles. As much I loved the fighting gameplay mechanics, cool game modes and cast of memorable fighting rosters, the graphics is just good as the arcade version regarding the hardware limitations of PS1 systems and catchy original soundtrack that fits perfectly for this game. Tekken 3 is definitely being the arcade perfect for the PS1 owners to experience a 3D fighting game masterpiece.
2 - Soul Calibur (Dreamcast)
Welcome back to the stage of history.
Namco bought the legendary 3D fighting game for the SEGA Dreamcast called Soul Calibur is a Weapon-Based fighting game was first released for the arcade in 1999 and then was later released for SEGA Dreamcast as part of the launch title in 1999. It was widely regarded as one of the best fighting game ever released as well as being the greatest game of all time that made Soul Calibur a huge landmark of Weapon-Based fighting genre. The success of the game spawns with sequels and spin-offs.
The game was known for innovations to the fighting gameplay that include a heavy emphasis on weapons and a unique eight-way movement system. The Dreamcast version offers improved graphics and extra features such as new game modes, new costumes, and the inclusion of an extra character which brings the newer experience to the fighting game title. It has solid gameplay mechanics with great fighting style and responsive controls which made the fighting game much easier to learn and play. The graphics is far more superior to its original arcade counterpart with smoother framerate, crystal-cleared animation, great character models and glossy special effects which proves that the game shows off the Dreamcast's system powerhouse. I highly recommended to pick this game up for the Dreamcast owners or alternately you can also get it for the X360 via Xbox Live Store.
1 - Pac-Man (Arcade)
The game is highly addicted with simple gameplay where you have to clear out the pills without getting touched by the ghosts, but the power pills are always comes in handy to deal with these ghosts. The more you collect the pills, the highest score you could get which adds the fun arcade experience. It has colourful graphics of the characters design and well drawned maze-like level design that made the game more appealing and lets not forget the most memorable sound effects in gaming history. Pac-Man still remains to be a lovable video game mascots that Namco has ever bought to gaming worlds.
Honorable Mentions:
Tales of Symphonia
Dark Souls
Dig Dug
Galaga
Splatterhouse 3
Klonoa
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