Developer Matchup #2: ICOM vs. Namco

[nat]

Last time we saw IREM and Naxat go head-to-head. Things almost ended in a draw, but Naxat pulled slightly ahead finally winning 14 to 12 over IREM.

There was a bit of dispute brought up by certain people over Naxat doing more "publishing" rather than "developing" on many of the games that feature the Naxat logo. In order to make sure we appease our anal retentive members, I have made sure both parties this time around are, in fact, developers.

In light of recent discussions frequently mentioning ICOM titles (Ghost Manor, Shape Shifter, Camp California, etc) I've been thinking how great a developer they really were for the system. While the number of titles they developed wasn't great, nearly all seemed extremely solid.

On the other hand you have Namco, who is much more widely known, who produced a slightly larger number of titles. While they too had some really A-list titles, they had some real stinkers there in the mix (*cough*Genpei Toumaden*cough*).

Like we pointed out last time, this is not a contest of quantity.

Anyway, I'm going to have to go with ICOM on this one. Nearly every single one of their games is just completely awesome, although some will argue otherwise in the case of Shape Shifter but that's strictly opinion. They had extremely good graphical artists, great gameplay (for the most part) and intuitive level design.

Namco just had too many stinkers and mediocre crap games: the aformentioned Genpei, Bravoman, Ordyne, Wonder Momo, to name but a few. In all fairness, they had some really great titles too like Pac-Land, Samurai Ghost, Splatterhouse and Final Lap Twin featuring the quest-RPG mode that everybody loves. In the same vein, we're still trying to forget the trash that was ICOM's Yo Bro.

IMO though ICOM's games were more consistently good, and just better enough to make them the clear-cut winner for this gamer.

[PCEngineHell]

Namco. I value Splatterhouse way more then any title Icom put out.

[OldRover]

I have to go with Namco on this one, but just barely. Main reason is that I don't give a shit what games they made for the Jp audience, I only care about the ones we got here. ICOM released some great stuff too but IMO, Namco has a slight edge. Tough decision really.

[guyjin]

Namco(t) by a looong way.

[Ceti Alpha]

Namco Rocks! Galaga or bust.

[MissaFX]

I can't say I feel strongly about many of the games listed, but my vote goes to Icom.

[nat]

Poor ICOM is getting slaughtered so far.

Missa, there are games by both developers other than the ones I listed. Perhaps a visit to PCECP.com for anyone who hasn't voted might give a better picture. I'm too lazy to compile a complete list of each.

[Turbo D]

This was a very tough decision for turbo D! He chooses Namco. Icom does however have CF2, which turbo D loves. Turbo D also likes the parallax in shape shifter. But he chose Namco for its arcade classics.

[MissaFX]

This was a very tough decision for turbo D! He chooses Namco. Icom does however have CF2, which turbo D loves. Turbo D also likes the parallax in shape shifter. But he chose Namco for its arcade classics.

I love Namco games on the 3DO, PSX, arcade, etc. but the Namco titles listed here are pure crap, not arcade goodness/classics.  Yo Bro > Pac-Land, Samurai Ghost, Splatterhouse.

[nat]

Yo Bro > Pac-Land, Samurai Ghost, Splatterhouse.

Hahaha, you're out of your mind! And I actually voted for ICOM.

Those three games are indeed arcade classics.

But if that's your stance on Namco (those are among their best games on the system), then it's doubtful you'll like anything they put out for the Turbo. Truth be told, it doesn't get much better than those as far as Namco goes. I guess some people like Dragon Spirit but I'm not a big fan. Dragon Saber is much, much better.

[PCEngineHell]

This was a very tough decision for turbo D! He chooses Namco. Icom does however have CF2, which turbo D loves. Turbo D also likes the parallax in shape shifter. But he chose Namco for its arcade classics.

Whats CF2?

This was a very tough decision for turbo D! He chooses Namco. Icom does however have CF2, which turbo D loves. Turbo D also likes the parallax in shape shifter. But he chose Namco for its arcade classics.

I love Namco games on the 3DO, PSX, arcade, etc. but the Namco titles listed here are pure crap, not arcade goodness/classics.  Yo Bro > Pac-Land, Samurai Ghost, Splatterhouse.

Are you kidding? Samurai Ghost and Splatterhouse are great. Pac Land,sure its not so hot,but the other two are awesome. Also Galaga 88/90,Ordyne,and Final Lap Twin are very nice titles,as is DragonSpirit and its sequel.

[Turbo D]

This was a very tough decision for turbo D! He chooses Namco. Icom does however have CF2, which turbo D loves. Turbo D also likes the parallax in shape shifter. But he chose Namco for its arcade classics.

Whats CF2?

oops, nevermind, that games made by lasersoft 

[PCEngineHell]

I knew it....
Cosmic Fantasy 2,Turbo D you goof,you should be ashamed

[MissaFX]

Are you kidding? Samurai Ghost and Splatterhouse are great. Pac Land,sure its not so hot,but the other two are awesome. Also Galaga 88/90,Ordyne,and Final Lap Twin are very nice titles,as is DragonSpirit and its sequel.

I'm not kidding, I love Galaga '88, but I cannot give my vote to Namco based on 1 good game.  I really do not like any of the other Namco games listed here.

[Tatsujin]

Namco(t) by a looong way.

dito

[CrackTiger]

Here are all the games listed for each developer on pcecp-

Namco:

      Barunba 
      Galaga '88/'90
      Genpei Toumaden 
      Genpei Toumaden Kannoni/Samurai Ghost
      Pac Land 
      Valkyrie No Densetsu 
      Wonder Momo 
      World Circuit 
      World Jockey 
      Xevious 
      Youkai Dochuki 
      Tower of Druaga (The) 
      Ordyne 
      Splatterhouse 
      Chibi Maruko-chan Quiz De Pihyara
      Dragon Saber 
      Dragon Spirit 
      Final Blaster 
      Final Lap Twin 
      Marchen Maze 
      Obocchama Kun 
      Pro Tennis World Court 
      Pro Yakyuu World Stadium 
      Pro Yakyuu World Stadium '91 
      Bravoman 
      World Court Tennis 


ICOM:

Addams Family (The)
Ghost Manor
Camp California 
Shape Shifter
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective 
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Vol. 2

Yo Bro was developed by "Camp California". If this means people from ICOM, so be it. Was Beyond Shadowgate developed by by ICOM? The cinemas look similar to Shape Shifter's, except with bad art.


I haven't played Camp California, but it doesn't look like a game I would love. The only game from ICOM's confirmed list that I would describe as a good to great/quality game is Shape Shifter(again, I can't judge Camp California).

Its pretty hard to not to factor in quantity when one developer potentially has only one quality title to their name.

Still, I'm not overly fond of any of Namco's PCE games other than Final Lap Twin, although I also haven't played most of them very much. Without trying to convince anyone why they should agree, I pick Namco over ICOM.

[Tatsujin]

the very funny thing is, namco(t) never ever went into the advantages of CD-ROM titles and i'm just asking myself why?

[nat]

Yo Bro was developed by "Camp California". If this means people from ICOM, so be it. Was Beyond Shadowgate developed by by ICOM? The cinemas look similar to Shape Shifter's, except with bad art.

You got your list from PCECP, didn't you?

Yeah, Yo Bro and Beyond Shadowgate both were developed by ICOM. According to the games themselves anyway, which is usually a pretty good indication.

ICOM did all the Shadowgate games, from the NES original onwards.

Its pretty hard to not to factor in quantity when one developer potentially has only one quality title to their name.

Subjective, my friend.

[CrackTiger]

On pcecp.com, the only two names listed with Beyond Shadowgate are Viacom New Media
Distributor and Turbo Technologies Inc.

Beyond Shadowgate boosts my judgement of ICOM, but I don't find it nearly as amazing as most Turbo fans seem to.

[Joe Redifer]

Namcot rocks yer socks.  They are so awesome that they needed to add the letter "t" to the end of their name for awhile.  The "t" stands for "tits" and everyone loves tits!  Namcot has always been kind of like a half-assed Sega in the arcades and out, but they're cool.

Namcot

Namcot

Mancot!!

[nat]

Publishing/distributing was handled by Viacom. But it says it was developed by ICOM, and has ICOM's logo right on the front cover. I just looked at my copy.

PCECP leaves out details from time to time I've found...

[Tatsujin]

They are so awesome that they needed to add the letter "t" to the end of their name for awhile.  The "t" stands for "tits" and everyone loves tits!  Namcot has always been kind of like a half-assed Sega in the arcades and out, but they're cool.

"t" stands 4 taku (home)

[Joe Redifer]

Sorry, you are wrong.  Namcot just called me right now and they say it stands for "tits".

[JoshTurboTrollX]

If we're just talking about Turbo. Its hands down ICOM!!!

Oooh wow, Namco thanks for ports of arcade games!  Whoopty doo!

ICOM at least brought us original titles- Sherlock and Shapeshifter.

And one of the greatest games ever made!  BEYOND SHADOWGATE!!!


ICOM

ICOM

ICOMT

[runinruder]

I'd take Shape Shifter alone over the entire Namco list, so I voted for ICOM.

Some of those Namco games on Black Tiger's list are among the worst pieces of shit I've ever played for the Turbo.  Genpei Toumaden, Wonder Momo, Ordyne, Bravoman, and World Court Tennis are all fucking awful.  And Dragon Spirit is no picnic either. 

On the other hand, Samurai Ghost, Splatterhouse, Galaga '90, Dragon Saber, and Final Lap Twin are really cool games.  I'd rank most of those above Beyond Shadowgate, in fact.  But they wouldn't even come close to making a list of my all-time favorite games, while Shape Shifter would be on it without a doubt. 

[Tatsujin]

Sorry, you are wrong.  Namcot just called me right now and they say it stands for "tits".

ups, sorry. so then, it seems i was ALL the time wrong although that's a very rare case.

[Kitsunexus]

ICOM has Deja Vu.

Namco has CyberSled. Namco wins.

[CrackTiger]

If we're just talking about Turbo. Its hands down ICOM!!!

Oooh wow, Namco thanks for ports of arcade games!  Whoopty doo!

ICOM at least brought us original titles- Sherlock and Shapeshifter.

And one of the greatest games ever made!  BEYOND SHADOWGATE!!!


ICOM

ICOM

ICOMT

Shermatlock was also a computer game.

I don't think anything on either list is more original than Final Lap Twin.

[nat]

ICOM has Deja Vu.

Namco has CyberSled. Namco wins.

Turbo games only, dude.

[CrackTiger]

Soul Calibur III rocks Yo Bro!

[Joe Redifer]

I dunno about that.  Soul Calibur 3 was pretty bad.  Soul Calibur 2 was tits, though.  Soul Calibur 1 even better.

[Keranu]

As much as I love ICOM, I gotta say Namcot easily wins. However this opinion might change once I finally play my dream game; Camp California!

[guyjin]

As a game, Soul Calibur 3 is awesome. Especially since you can make your own fighters.

But the PS2 version is buggy as fuck. Keeps deleting saves, which is extremely nasty since it places so much emphasis on unlocking content.

[NecroPhile]

I vote ICOM, 'cause I love their entire library (except Yo Bro).  The only Namco titles that I really enjoy are Splatterhouse, Galaga '90, and Bravo-Bravo-Bravoman.

[nat]

I vote ICOM, 'cause I love their entire library (except Yo Bro).  The only Namco titles that I really enjoy are Splatterhouse, Galaga '90, and Bravo-Bravo-Bravoman.

Now that's what I'm talking about!

[TR0N]

Namco they brought there arcade games home.

[Joe Redifer]

But the PS2 version is buggy as fuck. Keeps deleting saves, which is extremely nasty since it places so much emphasis on unlocking content.

Soul Calibur 3 is ONLY available on the PS2, another reason it sucks ass.  Soul Calibur 2 ran at 720p on the mighty Xbox and it was so sharp that you had to go to the hospital and have them sew your eyeballs back together after playing.  Namcot for teh winXorZ!

[Sinistron]

I've only got a few Icom games- Shapeshifter is on the way- and while I love Ghost Manor- there's also Yo' Bro and Addams Family which aren't so good.  Sherlock Homes I had back in the day- don't recall playing it much.  Beyond Shadowgate and Camp California are high on my wish list- maybe they'd change my opinion. 

I've got at least 15 Namco/Namcot titles though and they include a few of my all-time favorites- Galaga '90, World Court Tennis, Final Lap Twin.  Then there's classics like Splatterhouse and Dragon Spirit- and the welcome weirdness of Obocchama Kun and Wonder Momo.  Namco.  For now.

[Tatsujin]

soul farklibour. there isn't much more enoying things like this!

[Ceti Alpha]

Yeah, Soul Calibur was the shit. It was my favourite fighting game. Though the original SF is classic.

[GUTS]

Icom for Shape Shifter alone, like runin said.  I love Splatterhouse, but fuck Namco dumped some horrendous garbage on the Turbo while supporting the Genesis and SNES with much better games.

[nat]

It's like Namco had all their shittiest programmers working on the Turbo while they had the big guns over in the SEGA and Nintendo programming groups. What the fuck was up with that?

Namco is really not that bad a developer, but the majority of their stuff on the Turbo is pretty bad.

[GUTS]

I know, compared to something like Rolling Thunder 3 which was fucking awesome, pretty much only Splatterhouse stands out as pushing the system graphically.  And then Splatterhouse 2 and 3 came along on Genesis- what a slap in the face to the turbo fans.  2 & 3 were good, but imagine super cd versions of both and it really pisses you off that they switched systems.

[Ceti Alpha]

And then Splatterhouse 2 and 3 came along on Genesis- what a slap in the face to the turbo fans.  2 & 3 were good, but imagine super cd versions of both and it really pisses you off that they switched systems.

Oh I know. I find that Splatterhouse 2 and 3 on the Genesis are good, but don't have the quality of graphics and colour that's on the Turbo. It really sucks that we don't have the sequels on SuperCD. 

[Tatsujin]

yeah..namco(t) brought some neat arcade games on the system, but all of 'em could've done quite better. and as i mentionet before, namco never went into the CDrom biz as well. it really looks like the abandoned the system, after the MD and SFC got more popular over the world.

[CrackTiger]

I didn't realize that so many Soul Caliburs had already been released. What I meant was the 360/PS3 game (IV?).

Namco(t) may not have pushed the PC Engine, but I'm really glad that we got Final Lap Twin. There are plenty of other fancy looking non-Namco games.

I haven't played much of the MD Splatterhouses, but from what I've seen in screenshots, I'd gladly take them as-is on Turbo.

[GUTS]

Well actually I think Splatterhouse 2 and 3 would probably have looked about the same on Super CD, maybe a little worse, but you know they would have added in some sweet cinemas and music.  The graphics are great on all 3 though.

[Tatsujin]

if they had made splatter house on cdrom (or 20mBit card ), the clould've reached a much closer ressamble to the arcade pendant! though a good port, event missing a lot of details in the BG. and definitely the best product namco(t) brought to the pc engine imo.

[Kitsunexus]

WTF is an arcade pendant? Has Link been too busy playing SamSho to rescue Zelda?

[Joe Redifer]

I think every HuCard should have been 20mbit.