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Pac-Man and Galaga 3DS save data can be erased after all
It turns out there is a (previously undocumented) way to erase save data in Pac-Man and Galaga Dimensions on the 3DS, despite reports to the contrary last week. It's a bit more complicated than simply diving into the options menu. Upon start-up, players can input the command "ABXYLR," which will wipe the save data from the cartridge. "There has been a miscommunication at our level," a Namco Bandai representative told Eurogamer today. "Thanks for your understanding." The rep then shouted "Aye bee ex why el arrr" and vanished in a cloud of smoke.
Namco Bandai explain Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions' save schemata
When news of Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions' un-erasable save feature broke, many fans were upset that Namco Bandai could make such a frustrating, simple miscalculation. As it turns out, Namco Bandai made a frustrating, extremely complicated miscalculation. The publisher has recently explained its complex "save schemata," breaking down how each game included in the title is affected by the single-save function, in response to an inquiry from Shacknews. Namco Bandai confirmed players have the option to share high scores online, but using the same cartridge in a different DS may post the scores twice. Namco Bandai didn't comment on the decision-making process behind its save schemata, but if it were to copy Capcom's response (along with its Mercenaries save function), it would say this was an attempt to preserve the game's arcade-style feel. And then it would never do it again. Namco Bandai's explanation on how each game in Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions is affected by the save schemata reads as follows, provided by Shacknews:
Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions save files are permanent, unable to be reset or erased
When Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D dropped earlier this summer without the ability to reset save files, gamers were justifiably mad. And though it's been over a month since that story broke, it seems that another Japanese publisher didn't pick up on the resulting backlash. Namco's latest 3DS title, Pac-Man and Galaga Dimensions regrettably contains that exact issue. According to Wired's Game|Life blog, there is simply no way to erase a save after it's been written to the cartridge. "I've looked all over, even going so far as to ask a Namco Bandai representative, and it doesn't seem like there's a way to erase the game data," the post reads, noting that this design doesn't just affect the earned in-game awards (which can't be deleted), but also high scores. That means the most recent high score is the only one that the game records -- bizarre! As Capcom's version of the save file issue sparked reaction from both retail and consumers (and, eventually, Capcom), we've reached out to GameStop for comment about Namco's own misdeeds.
Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions' two newest games, in screens
Namco Bandai sent out new screenshots of the two new games in Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions: "Pac-Man Tilt" and "Galaga 3D Impact." We've placed the screens in separate galleries in case, for some reason, you have trouble distinguishing Pac-Man from Galaga. The 3DS collection, which also includes the original Pac-Man and Galaga arcade games, along with Championship Edition and Galaga Legions, will be released this summer in North America. You have plenty of time to stare at these screenshots and decide whether these two games look interesting enough for you to risk being seen waving your 3DS around like an idiot. %Gallery-120472% %Gallery-120471%
Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions packs in Championship Edition, Legions
Though still not announced for release in North America, Namco Bandai's first (of what will likely be many) iterations of Pac-Man and Galaga on 3DS has already gotten more attractive. The latest issue of Famitsu reports that, in addition to newfangled gyroscope-controlled versions of the two classics, Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions will include Pac-Man Championship Edition and Galaga Legions, plus the original arcade versions of Pac-Man and Galaga. The arcade ports will make use of the 3DS's autostereoscopic effect to create the illusion of looking down on the original coin-op machines -- though purists can always turn down the 3D slider, we assume. Players will also be able to choose between multiple cabinet variants. Of course, this will all seem quaint when we're writing about the seventh repackaging of Pac-Man and Galaga for 3DS four years from now.
Namco brings Pac-Man and Galaga Dimensions to 3DS
After revealing a Pac-Man / Galaga combination title in Nintendo's enormous list of 3DS games at last year's E3, Namco hasn't said a peep about the game. The latest issue of Famitsu (via Andriasang), however, spills new details on the combination title -- dubbed "Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions" -- including the fact that each game has been ... tweaked for Nintendo's new handheld. Galaga 3D Impact is described as a 3D shooting game, where the player pilots a ship from the cockpit view, aiming with the 3DS' gyrometer by physically moving the handheld. Pac-Man Tilt is a similarly strange take on classic Pac-Man gameplay, with our pellet-gobbling buddy donning humanoid features and traversing numerous levels -- you can tilt the 3DS to alter the levels while playing. The title has yet to receive a release date or a North American announcement, but we expect to hear more in the coming months.
