It’s been quiet on the site here this week, but I’ve been busy editing videos from IAAPA, among other things (like spending an evening picking up a classic game). I will try and have IAAPA Wrap-up #3 posted by tomorrow, but until then, here’s some Pac-Man video goodness for you to enjoy.
Namco Promotes Pac-Man Pixel Bash Cabinets
We’ve known about the Pac-Man Pixel Bash compilation machines since this past Summer, with units shipping out not long after the announcement. I also saw and played the machines at IAAPA (as pictured above), including the mancave-focused “Chill” version seen below. Today, Bandai Namco posted three new promo videos to tout the home models, which you can watch here. All three videos use music that was featured in the attract mode of Pac-Man Battle Royale (operators can chose between which one they want to play, so you may or may not have heard the songs).
The cabaret model is practically the Chill model, sans the fridge and cupholders:
The cocktail model is once again available in wood grain or black and it doesn’t take up much space at all.
Given all of the attention that Arcade1up is getting this holiday season, it certainly is good for Namco to get out in front and show what more these particular games have to offer (many more licensed games, or the fridge).
Wow that’s it, no new video games other than pacman pixel bash?! I must admit that cabinet to store the drinks is a very cool but not one new video game from them even maxitune 6? They haven’t churned any new games since maxi tune 5 and that didn’t even get a release in the uk. Has namco stopped making video games in house?
Part of the problem is that Bandai Namco generally relies on Japan to do their video game development, while the American side focuses on new redemption titles(that’s also the budget they get). BN Japan has been shifting almost all of their focus to VR Zone, leaving standard & proven video games in the dust and BN America relying on the older videos that can still sell (particularly Mario Kart, which they were saying has sold over twice as many units after they went offline as when they sold with online; overall MKGPDX sales are close to 5,000, which is quite good for modern video).
They haven’t given up on Maxitune 5, but the focus is on trying to get the DX and DX+ updates out before going to 6. When DX might be coming though, I’m not sure.
I know, right? Their lack of new video games is ridiculously disappointing. I brought it up to them on Instagram and they gave me this non-answer about their new redemption games and Super Bikes 3, which isn’t even their game. Namco is declining and it makes me very sad.