"Namco Museum(TM) 50th Anniversary" To Feature Classic 80’s Soundtrack

Come On Eileen! Grab Your Roller Skates and Legwarmers, Namco’s Biggest Arcade Collection to Feature Awesome 80’s Soundtrack

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on July 28, 2005

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (July 28, 2005) - Global video games publisher Namco Hometek Inc. announced today the soundtrack for the upcoming "Namco Museum^TM 50th Anniversary." Like the rock band Loverboy, every gamer "wants a second chance," and now they will have it - to play their favorite classic games while rocking out to the tunes that made the 80's great. "Namco Museum 50th Anniversary" will be available this August for the PlayStation^®2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox^® video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube^TM, Game Boy^® Advance, and PC.

This release represents the first time Namco has included a classic licensed soundtrack on its popular compilation. The soundtrack will include:

"Come On Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners

"Working for the Weekend" by Loverboy

"She Drives Me Crazy" by Fine Young Cannibals

"Talking In Your Sleep" by The Romantics

"Joystick" by Dazz Band

These classics are sure to keep the spirit of the compilation's 14 games alive. Notably, Dazz Band's "Joystick" was one of the first songs ever written about videogames. The single largest compilation of Namco Arcade Classics ever, "Namco Museum 50th Anniversary" allows players to explore a virtual arcade hall with timeless games such as:

"Pac-Man"

Originally released in 1980 - Play the most popular arcade game of all time! Navigate the yellow fellow through the original "Pac-Man" maze, avoid ghosts while chomping pellets and fruit, and use power pellets to turn the ghosts blue and get some payback!

"Ms. Pac-Man"

Originally released in 1981 - Starring Pac-Man's female counterpart; explore, collect, and chomp your way through four different mazes and eat new fruits.

"Galaga"

Originally released in 1981 - Pilot a space ship, fend off frantic swarms of bee-like aliens, try your luck with "Challenging Stages," and find the best way to deal with enemies' powerful tractor beams!

"Galaxian"

Originally released in 1979 - A precursor to "Galaga," destroy flying aliens as they move in from formation to attack you.

"Dig Dug"

Originally released in 1982 - Equipped with only a shovel and a pump, tunnel your way underground and use the pump to blow up attacking enemies.

"Pole Position"

Originally released in 1982 - A milestone in racing games, players drive fast to beat the timer, and avoid cars and hazards or risk exploding.

"Pole Position II"

Originally released in 1983 - Sequel to "Pole Position," this title introduced four new race tracks - Fuji, Test, Suzuka, and Seaside.

"Rolling Thunder"

Originally released in 1987 - In this horizontal scrolling shooter, play as a secret agent codename "Albatross." Your mission is to rescue female agent Lelia Blitz and defeat the criminal organization called Geldra.

"Rally X"

Originally released in 1980 - Players drive around a maze while avoiding chasing cars, laying smoke screens, and collecting flags.

"Bosconian"

Originally released in 1981 - Pilot a space ship, survive enemy fighters and destroy enemy space stations, while avoiding asteroids and other obstacles.

"Dragon Spirit"

Originally released in 1987 - Control a powerful dragon through the air, harness spells, drop bombs and breath fire at enemies.

"Sky Kid"

Originally released in 1985 - Controlling a bi-plane, avoid enemy planes using evasive loops, drop bombs, and machine gun down other planes.

"Xevious"

Originally released in 1982 - Use a heavily armed fighter plane to destroy enemies and targets in the air and on the ground.

"Mappy"

Originally released in 1983 - Control Mappy, a police mouse. Bounce on trampolines and open and close doors to dodge chasing cats, all in an attempt to collect valuable items from a cat's house.

Note: The Game Boy Advance version of "Namco Museum^TM 50th Anniversary" includes "Pac-Man," "Ms. Pac-Man," "Galaga," "Dig Dug" and "Rally X."

To download the new video featuring music from "Namco Museum 50th Anniversary" soundtrack, please visit www.kohnkecomm.com/dl/namco/Namco50thvideo7.28.zip

About Namco Hometek Inc.

Namco Hometek Inc. is the U.S. consumer division of Namco Limited, a Tokyo-based world leader in the high-tech entertainment industry. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Namco Hometek Inc. is an award-winning video games publisher for next generation game consoles. Namco has created some of the industry's greatest video game franchises: Tekken^®, SOULCALIBUR^®, Dead to Rights^®, Pac-Man World^TM, Ridge Racer^®, Time Crisis^® and ACECOMBAT^TM. For more information about Namco and its products log onto www.namco.com.

TEKKEN^®, SOULCALIBUR^®, PAC-MAN WORLD^TM, Ridge Racer^®, Time Crisis^® and ACECOMBAT^TM are trademarks or registered trademarks of Namco Limited in the United States and/or other countries. Dead to Rights^TM is a trademark or registered trademark of Namco Hometek Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

NAMCOMUSEUM^TM & ® 2001 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Pac-Man^® & ® 1980 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Ms. Pac-Man^® & ® 1980 1982 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Galaga^® & ® 1981 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Galaxian^® & ® 1979 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Dig-Dug^® & ® 1982 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Pole Position^® & 1982 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Rolling Thunder^TM & 1987 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Rally X^® & ® 1980 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Bosconian^TM & ® 1981 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Dragon Spirit^TM & ® 1987 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Sky Kid^® & ® 1985 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Xevious^® & ® 1982 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Mappy^® & ® 1983 2005 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. MANUFACTURED PURSUANT TO LICENSE WITH NAMCO HOLDING CORP. MICROSOFT, XBOX, AND THE XBOX LOGO RE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF MICROSOFT CORPORATION. NINTENDO, GAMECUBE, GAME BOY AND GAME BOY ADVANCE ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF NINTENDO.