Nintendo Switch Review: Namco Museum

Pac-Man, Galaga and more hit the Switch…

While we’re still wondering whether Nintendo will ever release a Virtual Console for the Nintendo Switch, Namco have released a backlog of their games in a bundle called the Namco Museum. The games include Pac-Man, Pac-Man Vs, Galaga, Dig Dug, The Tower of Druaga, Sky Kid, Rolling Thunder 1 and 2, Galaga 88, Splatterhouse and Tank Force.

Now I will admit to not knowing quite a few of these games, I was only really familiar with the likes of Pac-Man, Dig Dug and the original Galaga. Still, most/all of these games are incredibly difficult and will test your sanity. Each game also has HD Rumble added in, which feels a little odd for an old game…but it’s optional if it irritates you.

Switching between the different games is simple, you tap the right bumper to access the main menu and go to “Change Game”, simply tap A for the one you want and you’re all set…But why the right bumper? No idea, but it is cumbersome while playing the games, I’ve accidentally gone into the main menu by tapping the right bumper by mistake mid-game.

All in all, it’s a decent collection of classic Namco arcade games…even if they do show just how tough games were back then. Namco Museum has been released in several formats and versions over the years, while this Switch version has Splatterhouse and is the first game in the series to be rated T for Teen in America, it lacks certain games like Xevious and for the price tag, you’d be hopeful for the majority of Namco’s backlog.

The Verdict

In the end, Namco Museum for Nintendo Switch brings most of Namco’s classics over, while we sadly miss out on Xevious and a few others. It’s priced a bit too high for what’s on offer, but it’s a decent compilation overall. Definitely one for the retro gamer.

Score: 7.5