Namco announce a new classic arcade collection! Retro A-Go-Go, baby!

It's official: retro is the new black. Everyone is getting into it: Midway have their Arcade Treasures, Sega has its phenomenally well-selling Mega Collection Plus and Nintendo has the NES Classics on the SP. Now Namco are getting in on the act.

That's right guys and girls, heading our way this August is a new collection of Namci arcade hits to wow and excite you -until the next retro collection, that is.

Unsurprisingly, Namco is rolling out Pac Man and Ms. Pac Man for this collection. More surprisingly, and indeed, more gratifying for the nostalgic gamer, long-forgotten classics such as Pole Position and the impossibly hard Rolling Thunder are making it onto the disc. Well, Rolling Thunder was impossible fore me when I was five...

Here's the press release in full, spelling errors included!

Santa Clara, Ca., (April 27, 2005) � Global video games publisher, Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that Namco Museum 50th AnniversaryTM is coming this August to the PlayStation�2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox� video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCubeTM, Game Boy� Advance, and PC. In honor of the company's 50th anniversary, Namco Museum 50th Anniversary introduces 14 exciting, classic games from the 70's and 80's to a new generation of gamers.

"Namco Museum 50th Anniversary brings countless hours of family-friendly entertainment to gamers everywhere," said Jeff Lujan, business director, Namco Hometek Inc. "With Pac-Man, Galaga, Pole Position, and more, Namco Museum 50th Anniversary Arcade Collection offers 14 landmark games in a single package."

The single largest compilation of Namco Arcade Classics ever, Namco Museum 50th Anniversary Arcade Collection allows players to explore a virtual arcade hall where each of the game's classic titles will be standing in its original arcade form...except this time no quarters are required! Players will also be able to post high scores to the Xbox Live Leader boards (for the Xbox� version only).

While previous versions of Namco Museum contained up to 12 titles, Namco Museum 50th Anniversary Arcade Collection contains 14 of the best Namco original arcade titles ever!

Classic Arcade Games Included:

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," 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: Game Boy Advance version includes Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug and Rally-X games.

It certainly is a large collection of games! Now let's hope we can all forgive them for Starfox Assault and remember the better days. I'll certainly try if you will!