Page 34 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #7

JAKKS Pacific TV Games
JAKKS Pacific TV Games

B
oasting five titles in a self-contained joystick, Jakks Pacific's Namco TV Games
provides a fun and alternative way to enjoy classic arcade action. Included in the
compilation are Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Galaxian, Rally-X, and Bosconian. After
popping in two AA batteries (screwdriver required) and connecting the output ca-
bles to the TV, an easy-to-navigate interface gets you into the action quickly. However,
be warned that this device is not using the original arcade code, so while each title’s
graphics translate well to the television screen, the sound effects are off, and original pat-
terns will not work. Though the four-way directional joystick allows for surprisingly easy
control (especially if you've only had the experience of playing these titles on MAME) it
doesn’t allow for diagonal movement, which is a major handicap in Bosconian. The de-
vice itself is quite creative in design, yet not the most ergonomic -- the lower left corner
tends to dig into your palm during heated chases in Rally-X. Although not perfect,
Namco TV Games’ easy hook-up and mix of arcade titles makes it worth grabbing, par-
ticularly if you haven’t had the pleasure of playing the somewhat obscure Bosconian.

-- Chris Cavanaugh

T
en VCS titles, all housed in the iconic Atari joystick, can now be played hassle-
free without dragging your console out of the closet. Like other Jakks Pacific TV
Games, the battery powered Atari 10-in-One plugs directly into the audio-visual
jacks on your TV. Included in the compilation are Gravitar, Asteroids, Real-
Sports Volleyball, Centipede, Adventure, Pong, Missile Command, Breakout, Yars'
Revenge (mislabeled as Yar’s Revenge, slighting the entire Yars race), and Circus Atari.
The controller itself is responsive and even feels a bit sturdier than its forbear. The direct AV
connection also makes the games look sharper than before, but perfect emulations they are
not. While Adventure features the room where the "secret dot" is held, the layout of the
maze within the black castle is different, and the game doesn't always place the bridge
where it's obtainable. Another curious change is the secret room itself: instead of designer
Warren Robinette's name, it shows an empty room with the word "text" in small letters at the
top. Atari 10-in-One also makes the mistake of including paddle titles Pong, Circus Atari,
and Breakout on a joystick compilation (Jakks plans to redeem itself with the upcoming re-
lease of Atari Paddle Games). Those titles originally created for the joystick do play adm i-
rably, though the inability to daisy chain two controllers for competitive action is sorely
missed. Casual gamers might not care about the changes, but purists will likely find Atari
10-in-One to be more a conversation piece than a pixel-perfect trip
down memory lane. -- Chris Cavanaugh

S pongeBob SquarePants will immediately appeal to kids on the merits of the con-

troller alone, which features a wide-eyed, smiling SpongeBob’s elongated nose as
the joystick. Though the five included games are light enough to reel in those with short atten-
tion spans, none are as deep as SpongeBob’s home in Bikini Bottom. The best of the bunch is
a Breakout-inspired puzzle game where kids aim SpongeBob left and right to bounce a bubble
into a series of other colored bubbles. Unfortunately, the rest of the lineup isn’t nearly as satisfy-
ing, with the overhead maze, side-scrolling shooter, and platform game feeling slow and stiff,
partly because of the cute but rigid joystick. Kids already weaned on Game Boy Advance or
PlayStation 2 will quickly tire of this collection, but those under seven will have fun, especially in
front of grandma’s television on those dreaded family outings.

-- Scott Alan Marriott

Classic Gamer Magazine July 2004