Video Games : Categories : Game Boy Advance : Type of Game : Classic & Retro

• Home
• US Store
• Electronics
• Computers
• Sitemap

Video Games : Categories : Game Boy Advance : Type of Game : Classic & Retro

• Pac-man Collection (GBA)

  Atari

  
  If you're still suffering the lingering effects of Pac-Man fever, you'll be excited to hear that Namco's Pac-Man Collection repackages the infectious original with three other Pac-Man-themed games in a new anthology for the Game Boy Advance. Pac-Man Collection contains the original Pac-Man, plus Pac-Attack, PacMania 3D, and the never-before-seen-out-of-the-arcade Pac-Man Arrangement game.

  Pac-Man plays just like you remember, and like Namco Museum's picture-perfect re-creation of Ms Pac-Man, it features spot-on control, graphics, cartoon cut-scenes, sound effects and, best of all, music from the coin-op (who can forget that opening theme?). As such, it's easily the best of this collection. PacMania 3D is basically a 3-D version of the original, and is just about as uninspired now as when it came out. Pac-Attack is a cool variation on such puzzlers as Tetris and Columns, and as such it's perfect for handheld gaming. Pac-Man Arrangement is an odd little game that plays much like the original but adds weird power-ups that, for example, make you gigantic.

  Because Pac-Man Collection contains perfect replicas, there isn't much to gripe about, save that Ms Pac-Man is a far better game than the original, and you'll have to shell out for Namco Museum if you want that one. But if you're a retro gamer on the go who also want to track down ghosts and eat power pills, this package is sure to satisfy your appetite. --Andrew S Bub

  
   

• Tetris Worlds (GBA)

  THQ

  
  
   

• Columns Crown

  Atari

  
  
   

• Namco Museum (GBA)

  Atari

  
  Nothing lends itself better to portable gaming than the arcade classic. It's addictive, replayable and fun--plus it's nice not to have to pump endless streams of pound coins into it. That's what makes Namco Museum such a must-have title for the Game Boy Advance. People too young, or too snooty, to enjoy a good coin-op had better stop reading now.

  Like the PlayStation and N64 versions, Namco has packed a few of its best games onto the cartridge. The GBA gets five titles--Ms Pac-Man, Galaga, Pole Position, and Dig Dug are listed on the front of the box, and Galaxian is also included--all lovingly converted, complete with all the music and sound effects intact. What we don't get, unfortunately, is the amusing Museum portion and trivia found on other versions.

  Ms Pac-Man and Galaga are the real winners here. Both are perfect renditions complete with spot-on controls and all the extras (music, colours, sound effects and bonus stages/cartoons). There are even two versions of Ms Pac-Man--one that shows the whole maze but is dreadfully small, and another that scrolls. Pole Position is amusing, but features twitchy controls and pales in comparison to other GBA racing games. Galaxian, on the surface, seems the same as its sequel, Galaga, but it isn't. The fire rate is much slower, so the pace of the game is different. Galaga is certainly better, but Galaxian is a nice addition regardless. Dig Dug is a classic, pure and simple, and it still plays well. It rounds out the collection nicely.

  Arcade fans, especially those who used to line up (or line their 10p pieces on the machine) to play these games, will be very pleased with Namco Museum. Those unimpressed with retro gaming probably won't be converted. However, here's hoping we see more arcade classics in the future, because there surely isn't a better platform for them now than the Game Boy Advance. --Andrew S Bub

  
   

• Paper Boy/Rampage (GBA)

  Zoo Digital

  
  
   

• Pinball of the Dead (GBA)

  Atari

  
  
   

• Marble Madness/Klax (GBA)

  Zoo Digital

  
  
   

• Atari Anniversary Advance

  Atari

  
  
   

• Gauntlet/Rampart (GBA)

  Zoo Digital

  
  
   

• Spyhunter/Supersprint (GBA)

  Zoo Digital

  
  
   

• Defender (GBA)

  Midway Games Ltd

  
  
   

• Konami Collector's Series: Arcade Classics (GBA)

  Konami

  
  
   

• Space Invaders

  Activision

  
  
   

• Ice Climber (Nes Classics GBA)

  Nintendo

  
  
   

• Chess/Draughts/Backgammon (GBA)

  Zoo Digital

  
  
   

• Namco Museum 50th Anniversary (GBA)

  Electronic Arts

  
  
   

• Rampage Puzzle Attack

  Midway Games Ltd

  
  
   

• Activision Anthology

  Aspyr

  
  
   

• Breakout/Centipede/Warlords (GBA)

  Zoo Digital

  
  
   

• Chicken Shoot 1 (GBA)

  Zoo Digital