Founded in 1955, Namco (Nakamura Manufacturing Ltd. at the time) got its start installing rocking horse rides on the top of a department store. In 1972 they adopted the "Namco" name and two years later entered the arcade gaming world with their purchase of "Atari". Today they develop such key titles as "Tekken", "Soul Calibur" and "Ridge Racer".
Website Quote: "'Play is culture.' This is a tenet fundamental to our corporation, based on our beliefs that the 21st century will be an 'Era of Spirituality,' and that 'To play is human.' Basic human needs are in a state of transition, moving from values based in materialism--that is acquiring more, better and different goods--to a more spiritually fulfilling existence that satisfies the human desires for play and pleasure."
Breakdown
Genre: Action/Adventure
Release Date: 3/16/2004
Breakdown, exclusive to Xbox, is a sci-fi thriller that combines the best elements of shooters and fighters in a first-person action/adventure game. The game's intense storyline is told through high-quality real time rendered graphics that bring an unprecedented level of realism to the player. The game features fierce weapon-based first-person shooter combat, challenging puzzles to solve, surreal dream sequences, advanced AI, and massive detailed environments for exploration.
Dead to Rights
Genre: Action
Release Date: 8/20/2002
Jack Slate, an innocent cop sentenced to death, makes a daring escape from the Iron Point Maximum-Security Penetentiary. Driven to bring the criminal element that framed him to justice, Slate hunts the hunters in this gritty, crime-noir inspired epic. With super-charged game play, jaw-dropping graphics and hard-boiled storytelling, Dead to Rights raises the bar on the crime action-thriller genre.
Dead to Rights II: Hell to Pay
Genre: Action/Adventure
Release Date: 4/12/2005
In "Dead to Rights II: Hell to Pay," Jack Slate and his K9 partner Shadow are thrown head first into the crossfire between criminal organizations battling for control over Grant City's underworld. The story-driven action in "Dead to Rights II: Hell to Pay" promises intense new gameplay mechanics including a lightning-paced 360-degree brawling system, vicious melee weapon battles and an innovative new spherical slow motion diving system.
kill.switch
Genre: Action/Shooter
Release Date: 10/28/2003
kill.switch is an innovative military shooter that emphasizes realistic cover techniques and awesome firepower for the ultimate experience in combat gaming. Featuring the unique Offensive Cover System, kill.switch demands the use of modern combat tactics, forcing players to utilize surrounding environments and quickly adjust on-the-fly through each intense and challenging scenario.
Namco Museum
Genre: Other
Release Date: Oct. 2002
Namco Museum�, for the Xbox, will give gamers a chance to experience the great classics of the Arcade's Golden Era. The original quarter munchers: Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug, and many other favorites are all here. Old-school gamers will re-live their greatest arcade moments and brand new gamers will experience the excitement of what makes these classic games so much fun to play.
Pac-Man World 2
Genre: Platformer
Release Date: To Be Announced
Pac-Man is on a brand new adventure and once again dealing with the pesky Ghost Gang. His new quest takes him through 6 new lands with plenty of new surprises. Brand new features include ice skating, roller blading, submarine diving and many other exciting puzzles to solve.
R: Racing Evolution
Genre: Racing/Driving
Release Date: 12/9/2003
R: Racing Evolution is an extraordinary action-racing experience featuring authentic licensed cars and daring, real-world tracks. Combining awesome graphical quality and high performance driving physics with a spectacular story line, R: Racing Evolution chronicles the intense competition and deep rivalries found only within the professional racing circuit. New exciting features such as the Interactive Driver AI System and in-game radio communications bring players closer to racing action than ever before!
Smashing Drive
Genre: Action
Release Date: 3/19/2002
Smashing Drive is a fast-paced action racer based on the Namco arcade hit. With numerous power-ups including battering rams, turbo rockets, and buzz-saws, as well as countless pathways and shortcuts throughout the big city, getting from point A to point B will be the most fun and excitement a cabbie, or anyone for that matter, has ever had behind the wheel.
Soul Calibur II
Genre: Fighting
Release Date: 8/26/2003
The sequel to Soul Calibur, this is the game you've been waiting for! Featuring the likes of Astaroth, Cassandra, Ivy, Kilik, Maxi, Mitsurugi, Nightmare, Yoshimitsu, Raphael, Taki, Talim, Voldo, Xianghua, Yunsung, Charade and Cervantes. Also included as an exclusive to the Xbox version of Soul Caibur II is the infamous Spawn character.
Xbox Live Arcade - Namco Vintage
Genre: Compilations
Release Date: 11/4/2004
A compilation of three Namco classic videogames: Dig Dug, Pole Position, and Galaga available through the Xbox Live Arcade service for download.
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