Software Reviews: business and educational--NAMCO Plug it in & Play TV Games Featuring PAC-MAN

Cyber News and Reviews is a monthly column published since 1995 for parents, teachers and small business and home business owners offering articles on some of the best computer products available. I cover business software, education, entertainment with freeware and shareware, and some hardware too. Over the years, I've reviewed computer programs from Microsoft, Knowledge Adventure (Davidson) and others. When my kids were young, they couldn't wait for the software to arrive and have fun testing the games and lessons with me. And, in the past few years they've contributed some of their own reviews with opinions. The best advice on software is from the children who use it. Also, many of the business programs reviewed are useful for home business and small business owners. HB

NAMCO Plug it in & Play TV Games Featuring PAC-MAN

By Howard Berenbon

If you grew up playing PAC-MAN in your local arcade, or you're curious about the classic video games that started the video game revolution, then you've got to check out this 5-in-1 portable, battery operated, game console from JAKKS Pacific, Inc. This tiny game console, measuring about 5" x 5" with a built-in joystick, will take you back to the days of early video gaming where PAC-MAN was king.

Besides the famous dot-devouring PAC-MAN, you'll find four other classic that make this game machine attractive, even at its retail price of $19.99. It will take about 5 minutes to set up. First, install four AA batteries into the battery compartment, then plug the video and audio cables into your TV or VCR video and audio inputs. Select the video input on your TV or VCR, and turn on the game machine. A menu will pop up with the available games. The PAC-MAN console also has Rally-X, Dig Dug (one of my all-time favorites), Galaxian and Bosconian. To select the game, move the joystick to its name, and then press start. You'll be playing the classics in minutes with all the sites and sounds of the original games.

NAMCO Plug it in & Play TV Games Featuring PAC-MAN retails for $19.99 and is available at most electronic and video game retailers, or direct from Amazon. For more information or to buy, visit Amazon.com.

After having some great fun with the console for about a month we've gone through about 4 sets of AA batteries. In fact, I was surprised that the batteries lasted about a week with daily usage. But even so, replacing batteries can get expensive. I was thinking about an alternative power source, but the machine doesn't have an AC adapter option. Guess they want it to be completely portable. They also do not recommend using rechargeable batteries, but I was determined to find a solution. Ignoring their instructions, I installed a set of Nickel Metal Hydride AA batteries, and low and behold the little game machine responded and has been going strong for the last 5 days. Problem solved!

Companies Mentioned

JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
22619 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 250
Malibu, CA 90265
Phone: 1-877-875-2557

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