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As someone who grew up in the 80’s I can still remember the many hours of pleasure gained in arcades and pool halls playing, what we now class, as 'retro' games. Back then, the best a young gamer could hope for was a half-decent conversion onto home computer. Almost a decade later, the release of Sony's Playstation made it possible to own arcade perfect conversions of the old classics. Ah yes. The old classics...Namco Museum volume 4 boasts 5 such classics -Pacland;Assault;Ordyne;The Return of Ishtar; and Genji and the Heije Clans. Add a bonus game in to the mix - multi directional shooter, Assault Plus and you've got a good variety of games to please fans of 'platformers', 'shoot-em-ups' and 'action RPG' games. For my money, Pacland is the pick of the bunch, boasting bold, cartooney graphics, with tricky gameplay in an arcade adventure that contains a vast amount of levels. There are 8 different trips...each divided into 4 stages. Each trip contains unique features characteristic of the Pac Land. Avoid deranged ghosts and leap over obstacles and bottomless pits as you journey through towns, forests and more on route to Fairyland. Glide over lakes propelled by a springboard, cross deadly swamps, navigate maze levels and traverse treacherous mountain terrain as you control Pacman in his quest to return 8 lost fairies to the fairy queen. After reaching Fairyland, which is always the 3rd stage on each trip, the gameplay is reversed. Now Pacman must fly from right to left, using a pair of magic flying boots as he returns home to be greeted by Ms Pacman and Pac Baby. Yes, i know, it all sounds rather twee but theres something about this game that i find hard to resist. This game was one of the first side scrolling platform games and was arguably an inspiration for games such as Wonderboy (SEGA) and also one which features a certain plumber. Or should i say, a certain 2 plumbers who also made the leap from the single screen to the side scroller in 1985. Pacland has a complex scoring system and loads of neat touches which add to the games addictiveness. Many of these are still a major influence on today's game makers. Push back fire hydrants, logs and cactus plants to find hidden pick ups. Most useful is a hardhat which protects you from the ghost babies that are dropped from windows and airplanes. Also on hand to help you in your quest are the - now customary in most platformers - invincibility, warps and extra lifes. Casual gamers may be put off by the 'retro' feel of these games but i would recommend Namco museum to anyone who grew up in the 80's and still has a penchant for a bygone era. Or if 'retro' just happens to be your bag then this is one to watch out for.Read full review