Game: Namco Classic Collection, Volume 2
Manufacturer: Namco
Year: 1996
Genre: Depends on game selected
Players: Depends on game selected
My Version is: The board only (Japanese release)

Namco Classic Collection - Title Screen

UPDATED CLASSICS Not only are the classic versions of the games faithfully reproduced here, but you'll be pleased to know that the updated versions of each game are also a joy to play, featuring re-vamped graphics, music and enhanced gameplay. TEAMWORK The original versions of Dig Dug and Pac Man were great if you were the one playing, but not so great if you were the friend of the person who was playing. As both games featured alternating gameplay it meant you had to wait until the other person lost a life before you could get your hands on the joystick. Not anymore. With the updated versions of Dig Dug and Pac Man (the 90's version of Rally X is one player only) comes two player simultaneous action which see's either two Dig Dug's or two Pac Men on screen at once. This can lead to some interesting gameplay with players either helping each other out, or alternatively, running on ahead and picking up all the bonus items and power-ups.

RALLY-X (ORIGINAL) The object of Rally-X is really quite simple; collect all the flags on each level before you fuel gauge reaches zero to move on to the next stage. Obviously, if that was the only thing going-on, then Rally-X wouldn't be worth even a passing glance. However, hindering your attempts to collect your beloved flags are the dastardly red cars who's aim in life is to crush your dinky little racer by ramming into you at full pelt. Early levels start off with just one or two cars intent on smashing you to smithereens, but later on the speed and number of enemies mount up considerably. Not only do you have the red cars to contend with, but you also have the dreaded rocks which although just sitting there and doing very little are a complete pain in the backside as they not only kill your player on contact, but also don't show up on the scanner. Ah, the scanner. I almost forgot about that. The scanner is the vital tool which you can see situated on the bottom right hand side of the screenshot to your right. This blue box of tricks is your eyes, and helps you look on the entire level, and not just the few blocks of city you can see in your main play window. Although the scanner won't let you see the layout of the maze or reveal where the rocks are placed, it does enable you to track down flags and bonuses, vital in your mission to clear that stage.

Rally X - Original Version

From that lot it probably sounds like the cars had everything all their own way, but you'd be wrong. Fortunately you were equipped with once piece of super weaponry which was vital if you were being tailed by a car that you were unable to loose no matter how good your driving was. This weapon of yours was none other than the smokescreen. A quick dab of the fire button and a number of nice white plumes of smoke belched out the back of your racer and into the path of the oncoming enemy, rendering him helpless for a couple of seconds as you made your getaway to your next flag and ultimately to the next level.

In the brilliant book, `Arcade Fever`, (2001) written by John Sellers and published by Running Press, Rally-X is credited as the first game to feature the now almost obligatory bonus level. Every couple of levels you're given a break from the normal escape the cars scenario, and are given a certain time limit in which to clear that current level of flags before your fuel runs out and the red cars are released into the maze.

Throughout all this action an annoyingly addictive tune plays in the background constantly as you play. The tune may sound a little basic compared to today's Dolby enabled behemoths, but it captures the style game perfectly, and you'll soon find yourself whilsting along.

While players may initially dismiss Rally-X over the two better known titles of Pac-Man and Dig Dug, just give it a try and see what you think. With your first few goes you'll probably have trouble using the scanner and navigating the maze at the same time. Stick with it, and with a little practice, you'll be outrunning those red cars like there's no tomorrow!

Dig Dug - Original Namco Flyer Dig Dug - Original Version

DIG DUG (ORIGINAL) As with Rally-X, and Pacman, the objective of Dig Dug was simplicity itself - destroy all the tunnelling critters to move on to the next stage. Quite why you had to do this was anyone's guess. Perhaps poor old Dig Dug was a fanatical gardner, intent on removing the soil and plant damaging vermin from his garden. On the other hand, maybe his was an evil little bugger out for an afternoon of `sport`. Whatever the background story was, it was difficult not to like Dig Dug. With his bright white vermin-busting suit, and his triangle tipped pump, he looked the business and was ready for action. Dig Dug's pump was his main line of defence, but with some well-timed tunnelling, you could also bring death from above on to those pesky Pookas and Fygars by dropping a dirty great rock on them. Time it wrong and you'd either miss your enemy as he dodged out of the way, or would flatten yourself on the floor of the tunnel. Unlike Pac Man with it's strange level numbering using items of fruit and the like, working out what level you were on in Dig Dug's Word was easy as each level was represented with a flower displayed at ground level. Every tenth level would present you with one huge flower to show off to other eager gamers dying for a go. Designed by Namco, Dig Dug was Atari's first imported coin-op video game. Not only that, but Dig Dug was also the first arcade game advertised in US movie theatres. The 142 second commercial, produced by agency Young and Rubicam and enhanced by the team that did the special effects for Poltergeist, played like a fake theatrical trailer. (Source - Arcade Fever [2001])

PAC-MAN (ORIGINAL) Released in 1980 by Namco of Japan, Pac-Man must surely be the most famous video game and video game character of all time. Why? Could it be that it sold so many units (approximately 99,000 in America - Souce - Arcade Fever [2001]) or could it be that the yellow pizza-shaped character was just so recognisable? Whatever the reasons. Pac-Man is still as famous today, twenty-odd years after the game hit arcades worldwide. If you've never played Pac-Man, then surely two questions must be asked: 1- Where have you been?! and 2- What are you doing here?! The objective of Pac-Man is pure simplicity itself - dash around the screen collecting all 244 dots. But, at the same time as performing this simple task, you had to avoid 4 ghosts, all with different characteristics and behaviours. A HELPING HAND Not long after Pac-Man was released, strategies started to appear for clearing various screens, and as the Pac-Man craze grew and grew books were released to help educate gamers in the art of clearing various levels by teaching them various `patterns` required to gobble through a maze without ending up as lunch for the ghosts. DESIGNER DOES A RUNNER Like many of its major hits, Midway licenced Pac-Man from Namco. A widespread rumour is that the game's designer, Toru Iwatan bolted from Namco after receiving the equivalent of $3500 in Yen for his efforts. This is simply not true. He stayed with the company for years, designing `Libble Rabble`, before moving in to upper-management (Source - Arcade Fever - [2002])

Pac-Man - Original Midway Flyer Pac-Man - In-game Screen

SO MANY LEVELS BUT A PERFECT SCORE EXISTS!
There are 255 `proper` levels in Pac-Man which require clearing out of yellow dots. There is a screen 256, but this is not a true level. One half of the screen is the standard maze layout (which if you got this far would probably burnt into your retina) while the other side is made up of various character graphics and is apparently impossible to clear.

The game's highest possible score is achieved by eating every dot, all four ghosts whenever possible and eating all items of fruit. This gives a perfect score of 3,333,360, and the record is currently held (at the time of typing, 3rd June 2002) by US game player, Billy Mitchell.

As a number of gamers currently hold this score, the world record is now measured by how quickly this score can be accomplished.

Rally-X - Arranged Version

RALLY-X (UPDATED) The re-vamped version of Rally-X features the same frantic gameplay as the original Namco classic, but adds even more features such as extra special weapons, bridges, various environments (desert, temples amongst others) and even car teleporters which transport your racing car to other parts of the maze. Although these can get you out of a troublesome part of the level quickly, the enemy are also able to use these as well, so keep your eyes on that scanner. Those of you familiar with the original will have no trouble picking up this re-vamped edition of the game and diving straight in. For those of you not familiar with the original, I would recommend you start on this version before attempting the eighties edition as the scanner is a little easier to follow. One of my favourite parts of this game is when you collect the `attack` power-up. This enables you to ram the enemy cars for a short while and at the same time, rack up a nice bonus.

DIG-DUG (UPDATED) How can you update a classic game like the legendary Dig-Dug? Simple - put in a two player at the same time option, throw in a mountain of power ups, end of level bosses, numerous environments and new enemies. Keep the brilliant Namco playability as found in the original, and now you're talking! With the two player simultaneous option, not only do you get the opportunity to work together, but you can also fight each other for the bonus score as at the end of each level, the player who does the most damage gets the bonus and is declared the winner of that stage. If you're playing the two-player game, you'll have to be careful where you're pointing that pump of yours. Too close to the other player and you'll start inflating their ego. Hit the fire button too many times and your team-mate will unfortunately bite the dust. Ok, so it's good fun, but it's a sure way to end someone's go very quickly indeed. With the updated version of Dig Dug, not only are you equipped with your trusty air-pump, but if you're extremely lucky you can also get hold of a powerful rocket launcher which kills enemies with a single shot. This is especially usefull on some of the more crowded levels which you'll come across later in the game.

Dig Dug - Arranged Version

A FEW ITEMS OF INTEREST
Like Namco Classic Collection 1, Collection 2 also runs on Namco System 11 hardware. This is based on Sony Playstation technology.

On both boards there are only two seated ROMs. Placing Namco Classic Collection 1 ROMs on a Namco Classic Collection 2 board does not work. Also, putting the Collection 2 ROMs on a Collection 1 board set will also not work. (This has been tried at The UK Bazmeet back in November 2000, and being present during the test, can confirm this).

At the UK Bazmeet in November 2000 I was kindly given a bootleg Namco Classic Collection 2 marquee by Bazfish. It really is a bizarre piece of workmanship. Give it a quick glance and you'd think it was the real macoy as it's been put together so nicely. However, give it a double-take and you'll be stood there having a chuckle.

Forget Pac-Man, Dig Dug and Rally-X, this marquee advertises Pac'Man, Rally.X, and my personal favourite (for sheer crapness!) DigBug. Why the heck the bootleggers did this when the quality of the marquee was so high I just don't know!

At the time of typing Namco Classic Collection 2 (and 1 for that matter!) has yet to have its ROMs dumped and be made playable in Mame. So, if you're yearning to play these titles, the arcade PCB is possibly your only option. Although I have heard that this is also available on Jap import for the PS1. Can anyone confirm this?

Pac-Man arranged can also be found on the Gameboy Advance cartridge of `Pac Man Collection`. Please bear in mind though that the ghost attack patterns are different from the arcade version, and the music is severely cut. It also has a truly hideous version of the original Pac Man on there too.