Compared to the first volume, Namco Museum Archives Volume 2 feels like a better package of games all around. While there are still a large number of arcade-to-NES ports here, the genre variety is much broader, and fewer games have made appearances on previous compilations. There are still a few clunkers here, but most of the titles are solid, and while nothing is as sought-after as Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti was, there's still a good collection here. For the retro fans, this is worth checking out for $19.99.
Namco Museum Archives Volume 1 and 2 offers players a variety of games to play, and yet, most of them are space shooters. However, the games that the collections do contain provide both a sense of nostalgia and new memories as you are now able to play a few titles that weren’t available before. It does the minimum of what a collection should do, without including special concept art or an interactive museum setting. Still, it’s fun to be able to have easy access to these titles to play again or share with friends and family.
Namco Museum Archives - Volume 2 offers the opportunity to dive into the immortal classics with friends and maybe even find something new for yourself.
Like with NAMCO MUSEUM ARCHIVES Vol 1, the second volume is a mixed bag in terms of games - in this case there are fewer gems, but fewer pieces of junk as well. The main issue remains the fact that this shouldn't be a two-part collection. In other words, if interested (and you should be), keep an eye on that price, and hit that 'Purchase' button when it gets reasonably low.
It is in fact an interesting collection with a focus on NES and technically sound. Due to age the software quality is not everybody’s cup of tea, though.
The second Namco Museum Archives compilation is far more eclectic than the first. Vol 1 had more of the typical classics you’d expect from a Namco collection, and while that may seem a bit boring and predictable the reality is that they were classics for a reason: most of them are more fun to play. While there are still some great titles in here – Rolling Thunder and Mappy-Land are highlights – the general quality is lower than that in the first volume. The only reason you should be opting for this one over the first is if you’re sick to the back teeth of Pac-Man and Dig Dug and are looking to discover some lesser-known NES games.
Offering a far less consistent library than Volume 1, I can't in good conscious recommend Namco Museum Archives Volume 2 to most players. For those who need an individual title here, you may want to watch out for a sale as there is some fun to be had, but the titles offered are mostly mediocre ones that weren't crying out to be collected. Without any other material worth your time, you're better off finding another option to get your retro fix.
SummaryNAMCO MUSEUM ARCHIVES Volume 2:
Battle City
Pac-Land
Dig Dug II
Super Xevious
Galaga
Rolling Thunder
Mappy-Land
Legacy of the Wizard
Dragon Buster II
Mendel Palace
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