One of the best interactive documentaries ever made, Atari 50, just got even better. Digital Eclipse is back with the Namco Legendary Pack, offering players a look at Namco’s early history (now known as Bandai Namco) and heaps of fascinating information and new games for longtime fans and newcomers alike. 

If you would like to read the full review of the base game of Atari 50 by Hayden Nelson, be sure to check it out on our website.

Much like the base game and its later expansions, the new interactive timeline is packed with photos, concept art, interviews, old advertisements, newspaper clippings, and playable games.

It begins in 1955, covering Namco’s origins as the Nakamura Manufacturing Company, when they operated mechanical horses in Japan, and then decades later, their partnership with Atari to produce the first Pong machines for the Japanese market, leading to the sale of Atari Japan to Namco in 1974. 

It includes fun snippets, such as photos of the team outside the Atari Japan offices and at the company’s golf tournament in California. The timeline then shifts to the history of the games released under the partnership.

It features some genuinely insightful interviews with Tod Frye, the designer of PAC-MAN for the Atari VCS. I loved hearing him discuss the technical limitations of the era, back when available RAM was measured in double- and triple-digit ranges. 

Another insightful story from Tod was about being tasked with bringing Xevious to the Atari 2600. The newer hardware meant the game had to be stripped back to the bare essentials, but through clever tricks like flicker effects and repurposing enemy missiles to create the player’s ship, he somehow made it work. 

Other games included are Galaxian, Dig Dug, and Galaga. Each one comes with old TV advertisements or newspaper reviews, making it a cool trip down memory lane.

There’s also plenty of classic artwork, even some unused pieces for PAC-MAN, showing that the famous yellow puck could have looked very different at one point. I would’ve liked a bit more insight into Dig Dug. 

It’s a relatively short timeline, taking me just over an hour to get through, but I learned so much about the origins of a publisher that would go on to create some of my all-time favourite games. Digital Eclipse has done a fantastic job capturing the different eras of Namco and its partnership with Atari, and there’s something here for everyone who appreciates gaming history. 

Overall, the Namco Legendary Pack is another great addition to Atari 50, offering a relatively brief yet informative look at one of gaming’s most influential companies. It’s a must-try for anyone who loves digging into the roots of the industry, and I hope Digital Eclipse doesn’t stop here.

Written by: Dylan Kocins