Digital Eclipse has announced the next downloadable content (DLC) for its documentary-style game collection, Atari 50, which will highlight classic Namco video games. Titled The Namco Connection, this DLC will include Atari versions of iconic arcade games from Namco, most notably the controversial Atari 2600 version of Pac-Man. Priced at $8, this DLC is part of a broader collaboration between Atari and Bandai Namco, celebrating the 45th anniversary of Pac-Man. The Namco Connection is set to be released later this year.
Atari 50 is more than just a collection of classic game ROMs. It offers an immersive experience by telling the history of the featured games through interactive timelines, complete with interviews from developers and advertisements from the 1980s and 1990s. The Namco Connection will highlight the relationship between Atari and Namco during their peak periods, utilizing interviews and archival material from the time when these notable games were created. While a complete list of games has yet to be released, the DLC is expected to include classic Namco franchises such as Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Galaga, Galaxian, and Xevious, available for platforms like the Atari 2600 and Atari 7800.
Notably, the Atari 2600 version of Pac-Man was a best-seller upon its initial release, despite being criticized for its poor quality compared to the original arcade game. This title played a significant role in the early 1980s video game industry crash, making it a key point of discussion in the new DLC. Additionally, Atari and Namco are marking Pac-Man’s anniversary through other initiatives. This includes the launch of Pac-Man-themed Atari 2600+ consoles and CX40+ joysticks, along with the release of Pac-Man: Double Feature—a 2-in-1 cartridge.
Pre-orders for these items are expected to open on July 23.
Leave a Reply