Namco

Overview

Namco began installing mechanical rides on department store rooftops. By the 1980s, they were creating some of gaming’s most enduring franchises—Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug, Ridge Racer, Tekken. Their arcade expertise translated to consoles, and their characters became cultural icons.

Fast facts

Founded: 1955 by Masaya Nakamura as Nakamura Manufacturing.
Name: from “Nakamura Amusement Machine Manufacturing Company.”
Early business: mechanical rides and amusement equipment.
Arcade entry: acquired Atari Japan (1974), began game development.
Breakthrough: Pac-Man (1980).
Merger: combined with Bandai (2005) to form Bandai Namco.

The golden age

Namco defined arcade gaming’s peak:

Pac-Man (1980)

Gaming’s first mascot
Non-violent gameplay attracted new audiences
Merchandise empire exceeded arcade revenue

Galaga (1981)

Galaxian sequel with captured-ship mechanic
Challenging bonus stages
Considered the definitive fixed shooter

Dig Dug (1982)

Inflate enemies until they pop
Tunnelling strategy gameplay
Distinctive character design

Pole Position (1982)

Pioneered rear-view racing perspective
Qualifying laps before race
Template for racing games

Home conversions

Namco games appeared on every platform:

Atari 2600: varied quality, Pac-Man disappointment.
C64/Spectrum: third-party conversions, quality varied.
NES: strong relationship with Nintendo.
Own consoles: briefly entered hardware with PlayStation development.

The console transition

Namco adapted as arcades declined:

PlayStation partnership: launch titles for Sony’s console.
Ridge Racer: defined early 3D racing.
Tekken: became premier 3D fighting franchise.
Tales series: successful JRPG franchise.

Legacy

Namco proved cute characters could drive serious business. Pac-Man showed games could be phenomena; the company’s subsequent output maintained quality across decades. Their merger with Bandai created one of gaming’s largest publishers.

From amusement rides to Pac-Man