List of Namco universes
This is a list of Namco universes with smaller forms of representation in the Super Smash Bros. series, specifically Super Smash Bros. 4 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. While the Pac-Man universe features prominently, most of the Namco universes are represented in minor ways, such as with music, a Mii Costume, or a cameo in Pac-Man's Namco Roulette taunt. Due to changes in how music is sorted, all Namco songs in Ultimate are categorized under the Pac-Man series.
Babylonian Castle Saga
Babylonian Castle Saga (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco |
Publisher(s) | Namco |
Genre(s) | Action role-playing Maze |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | The Tower of Druaga (1984) |
Latest installment | The Tower of Druaga: the Recovery of BABYLIM (2007) |
Babylonian Castle Saga (バビロニアン・キャッスル・サーガ, Babylonian Castle Saga) is a series of medieval maze-based action RPGs beginning with The Tower of Druaga, which spawned several sequel games and a spin-off anime series. Gil, the series' main protagonist, cameos in Namco Roulette and as a downloadable costume for Mii Swordfighters. The Tower of Druaga's main theme and level complete theme appear in Namco Arcade '80s Retro Medley 1. The main theme from The Return of Ishtar, the direct sequel to The Tower of Druaga, appears in Namco Arcade '80s Retro Medley 2.
Baraduke
Baraduke (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco Dempa |
Publisher(s) | Namco Dempa |
Genre(s) | Platformer Shooter |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Baraduke (1985) |
Latest installment | Bakutotsu Kijūtei: Baraduke II (1988) |
Baraduke (バラデューク, Baraduke) is a series of scrolling shooters that feature an astronaut rescuing docile aliens from hostile species. Although it was released a year earlier, the original game is noted for its similarities to Metroid; the player character, Kissy, is revealed to be a woman upon clearing the game. A friendly alien, Paccet, cameos in Namco Roulette.
Bosconian
Bosconian (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco |
Publisher(s) | Namco Midway |
Genre(s) | Shooter |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Bosconian (1981) |
Latest installment | Blast Off (1989) |
Bosconian (ボスコニアン, Bosconian) is a series of free-roaming space shooters. The player's fighter cameos in Namco Roulette.
Bravoman
Bravoman (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco |
Publisher(s) | Namco NEC |
Genre(s) | Beat-'em-up Shooter |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Bravoman (1988) |
Latest installment | Bravoman: Binja Bash! (2013) |
Bravoman (ベラボーマン, Bravoman) is a comical action game that parodies typical superhero stories and cliches. In more recent years, it received both a web cartoon and a mobile game as part of ShiftyLook. The original Bravoman's title and first level music is featured as Bravoman Retro Medley.
Dig Dug
Dragon Buster
Dragon Buster (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco Dempa TOSE |
Publisher(s) | Namco Dempa Enix |
Genre(s) | Platformer Action role-playing |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Dragon Buster (1985) |
Latest installment | Dragon Valor (1999) |
Dragon Buster (ドラゴンバスター, Dragon Buster) is a series of medieval action RPGs with a platformer emphasis. The original game is notable for being the first game to include a double jump and a visual health meter. The protagonist, Clovis, cameos in Namco Roulette.
Dragon Spirit
Dragon Spirit (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco Consult Software Domark The Hit Squad |
Publisher(s) | Namco Various |
Genre(s) | Shooter |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Dragon Spirit (1987) |
Latest installment | Dragon Saber (1990) |
Dragon Spirit (ドラゴンスピリット, Dragon Spirit) is a series of dragon-based vertically scrolling shooters. The Area 1 theme from Dragon Spirit is remixed in Ultimate, and it also appears in its original form in Namco Arcade '80s Retro Medley 2.
Galaxian
Katamari
Katamari (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco |
Publisher(s) | Namco |
Genre(s) | Third-person action Puzzle |
Console/platform of origin | PlayStation 2 |
First installment | Katamari Damacy (2004) |
Latest installment | Katamari Damacy Reroll (2018) |
Katamari (塊魂, Clump Spirit) is a series of action-puzzle games in which the player controls the tiny Prince of All Cosmos, sent to Earth to roll up various objects into the titular sticky balls. A pixel version of the Prince (taken from the credits of Me and My Katamari) cameos in Namco Roulette in Ultimate. Debuting in 2004, Katamari is the newest Namco series to receive representation in Smash.
Coincidentally, Katamari Damacy Reroll, an HD remake of the original Katamari Damacy, was released on the same day as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
King & Balloon
King & Balloon (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco |
Publisher(s) | Namco GamePlan |
Genre(s) | Shooter |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | King & Balloon (1980) |
Latest installment | King & Balloon (1980) |
King & Balloon (キング & バルーン, King & Balloon) is a fixed shooter game where the player must defend a king from hostile balloons, notable for being one of the earliest examples of sampled speech in video games. The King cameos in Namco Roulette in the 3DS version of SSB4 and Ultimate.
Libble Rabble
Libble Rabble (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco |
Publisher(s) | Namco |
Genre(s) | Action |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Libble Rabble (1983) |
Latest installment | Libble Rabble (1983) |
Libble Rabble (リブルラブル, Libble Rabble) is an action game involving harvesting mushrooms while avoiding enemies. The game was designed by Pac-Man creator, Tōru Iwatani. The bonus creature Topcup cameos in Namco Roulette, and the game's music is featured in Libble Rabble Retro Medley.
Mappy
Mappy (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco Dempa Epoch |
Publisher(s) | Namco Various |
Genre(s) | Platformer |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Mappy (1983) |
Latest installment | Mappy Taiketsu! Neonyāmuko-Dan (2015) |
Mappy (マッピー, Mappy) is a series of platformer games starring the titular policemouse Mappy as he retrieves stolen goods from the cat burglar Goro and his goons, the Mewkies. The game's trampoline serves as the basis for Pac-Jump, and the titular Mappy cameos in Namco Roulette. Mappy's main theme and level complete theme appear in Namco Arcade '80s Retro Medley 1, and Ultimate includes a remix of the game's music, Mappy Medley.
Metro-Cross
Metro-Cross (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco Various |
Publisher(s) | Namco U.S. Gold |
Genre(s) | Platformer |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Metro-Cross (1985) |
Latest installment | Metro-Cross (1985) |
Metro-Cross (メトロクロス, Metro-Cross) is a running-based platformer game where the player must escape a futuristic obstacle course before it self-destructs. The game's protagonist, Runner, cameos in Namco Roulette in the Wii U version of SSB4 and Ultimate, while the game's music is featured in Metro-Cross Retro Medley.
Pac-Man
Rally-X
Rally-X (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco |
Publisher(s) | Namco Midway |
Genre(s) | Maze Driving |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Rally-X (1980) |
Latest installment | Rally-X Rumble (2011) |
Rally-X (ラリーX, Rally-X) is a series of driving-based maze games. Rally-X was the debut of the Special Flag, which has become a major symbol of Namco. In addition to the item, the main theme and level complete theme from New Rally-X appear in Namco Arcade '80s Retro Medley 1. The player's car cameos in Namco Roulette.
Shadow Land
Shadow Land (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco Now Production |
Publisher(s) | Namco |
Genre(s) | Platformer |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Shadow Land (1987) |
Latest installment | Kyūkai Dōchūki (1990) |
Shadow Land (妖怪道中記, Yōkai Travel Journal) is an atypical platformer game in which Tarosuke, the protagonist, travels through the afterlife towards his ultimate fate. Known in Smash by its Japanese title, Yōkai Dōchūki, the game's music is featured in Yokai Dochuki Retro Medley.
Sky Kid
Sky Kid (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco Epoch |
Publisher(s) | Namco Epoch Sunsoft |
Genre(s) | Shooter |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Sky Kid (1985) |
Latest installment | Sky Kid Deluxe (1986) |
Sky Kid (スカイキッド, Sky Kid) is a piloting-based scrolling shooter. The Red Baron player character cameos in Namco Roulette, and the game's music is featured in Sky Kid Retro Medley.
Taiko no Tatsujin
Taiko no Tatsujin (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Bandai Namco |
Publisher(s) | Bandai Namco |
Genre(s) | Rhythm |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Taiko no Tatsujin (2001) |
Latest installment | Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'n' Fun! (2018) |
Taiko no Tatsujin (太鼓の達人, Taiko Master) is a series of drumming-based rhythm games that are particularly popular in Japan. The series' protagonist, Don-chan, cameos in Namco Roulette.
Notably, Taiko no Tatsujin has previously crossed over with the Mario series in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. Aside from including music from Pac-Man and other Namco series, the games have also featured songs from several franchises included in Smash, including Mario, Kirby, The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, Splatoon, Mega Man, and Undertale.
Tales
Tales (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Bandai Namco |
Publisher(s) | Bandai Namco |
Genre(s) | Role-playing |
Console/platform of origin | Super Famicom |
First installment | Tales of Phantasia (1995) |
Latest installment | Tales of Berseria (2016) |
Tales (テイルズ オブ, Tales of) is a long-running series of fantasy RPG games that are popular worldwide. The design of the main protagonist of Tales of Symphonia, Lloyd Irving, appears as a DLC costume for Mii Swordfighters.
Tekken
Tekken (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Bandai Namco |
Publisher(s) | Bandai Namco |
Genre(s) | Fighting |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Tekken (1994) |
Latest installment | Tekken (Mobile) (2018) |
Tekken (鉄拳, Iron Fist) is a long-running series of 3D fighting games. In SSB4, the series is represented through a downloadable content costume for Mii Brawlers based on Heihachi Mishima, a recurring antagonist in the series. In Ultimate, Heihachi also cameos as a sprite in Namco Roulette, using his sprite from Tekken Tag Tournament 2.
Coincidentally, costumes based on various Nintendo characters were available in the Wii U version of Tag Tournament 2 while Heihachi was a playable character in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, Sony's equivalent to Super Smash Bros.
Thunder Ceptor
Thunder Ceptor (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco |
Publisher(s) | Namco |
Genre(s) | Shooter |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Thunder Ceptor (1986) |
Latest installment | 3-D Thunder Ceptor II (1986) |
Thunder Ceptor (サンダーセプター, Thunder Ceptor) is a series of pseudo-3D space shooters. The name entry theme from Thunder Ceptor appears in Namco Arcade '80s Retro Medley 2.
Valkyrie
Valkyrie (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco Nova Games Ltd. |
Publisher(s) | Namco GamePlan |
Genre(s) | Action-adventure Platformer |
Console/platform of origin | Famicom |
First installment | Valkyrie no Bōken: Toki no Kagi Densetsu (1986) |
Latest installment | Valkyrie no Bōken: Toki no Kagi Densetsu with Xiaomu (2015) |
Valkyrie (ワルキューレ, Walküre) is a series of mythological action-adventure games. Valkyrie, the protagonist, cameos in Namco Roulette in the Wii U version of SSB4 and Ultimate, using her sprite from the second game in the series, The Legend of Valkyrie. The game's main theme also appears in Namco Arcade '80s Retro Medley 2.
Wonder Momo
Wonder Momo (universe) | |
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Developer(s) | Namco |
Publisher(s) | Namco |
Genre(s) | Beat-'em-up |
Console/platform of origin | Arcade |
First installment | Wonder Momo (1987) |
Latest installment | Wonder Momo: Typhoon Booster (2014) |
Wonder Momo (ワンダーモモ, Wonder Momo) is a beat-'em-up game that acts as a light parody of tokusatsu stage shows. In recent years, the game was revived with a webcomic, an anime, and a mobile game. The transformation theme from Wonder Momo appears in Namco Arcade '80s Retro Medley 2.
Xevious
Trivia
- Katamari, Tales, and Valkyrie are the only Namco universes that did not debut with an arcade game.
- Out of these, Valkyrie is the only one that has an arcade installment.
- Bravoman, Tales, and Shadow Land are the only Namco universes that do not appear in Ultimate, and thus have only appeared in one installment.