Pac-Man Museum Reportedly Cancelled on Nintendo Systems

*FACEPALM!

they should put the pacman/galaga dimensions on the eshop so at least we can play some of the games

This is not the way to make me fall in your good graces again Namco! I'm already upset about this whole fremium affair on your new PS3 only "Ace Combat Infinity" and I do know you're running a business and not a charity house but damn it, I was really looking forward to this especially on 3DS.

I have a theory. Take note that Bandai-Namco are co-developing Smash Bros U/3DS. Pacman-Museum is cancelled on both Wii U and 3DS. The reason is "a delay in development". Smash Bros U/3DS is scheduled for this year, but much later than this game's release date. Wouldn't it be interesting if Bandai-Namco included this title into Smash Bros U/3DS as unlockables?

@Discostew Yeah, the problem is that this is a hub game, like Zen Pinball 2. Eventually all the Pac-Man games will be available through it via DLC. Doesn't make sense to include the hub exclusively in a $60 game when the idea is to get the hub onto as many consoles as possible.

It's frustrating to see ...

The rest of that sentence should read - any game get canned on the Wii U. Even this one. Well i's ok if it gets canned on every system b/c the company goes bankrupt or there's a tsunmai or something, but when it gets released everywhere else but not Wii U, well that's annoying no matter the game.

If EA were publishing it that would be understandable as well.

Oh well, bring on the games Nintendo. Bring on the Wii U games. Yours, there's, anybody's.

@Darknyht That idea always ends up insanely expensive.

heartbroken that were not getting another namco shoddy pacman junk How many times have they rehashed the same rubbish

Its just really annoying when you try to support a console and games you are planning to get are cancelled especially when there e-shop releases that don't cost as much to produce.

I was looking forward to this as the 4 player at once mode is pretty fun. I wonder if the delay is just wii u folks being stolen over to SSB to get it out this year.

Wasn't even remotely excited about this boring sounding game. Was anybody?

Seems odd that Namco would pull out of Nintendo entirley when the 3DS is still selling well. I guess investors and stockholders are the same whiny people posting NINTENDO IS DOOMED comments.

@rumple88:

Battle Royale coming to consoles was one of E3's most exciting announcements!

Insert joke about nintendo's failure with third parties
Insert sarcasm about how unimportant pacman is to selling wii u

From what I've heard down Ye Olde Grapevine™, Bandai-Namco wanted to put Pac Man in the new Smash Bros. Sakurai said no, and then Bandai-Namco got stroppy and cancelled Pac Man Museum in revenge.

So... the WiiU's officially worse than the GameCube: we'll not even be graced by a Pac-Year...

I say cut namcos pay percentage on smash and sports club (which they are also working on) to make a point.

Right after iwata announced a 70 million dollar increase in eshop sales in 2013 vs 2012 no less

3rd party don't need Nintendo to make money in this day and age, anyway DS games are filling 3rd party games on the Wii U.

still no Pac-Man Championship Edition DX, no Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+ on any Nintendo System... and now also no Pac-Man Battle Royale

It's a shame, I love old Namco arcade games.

oh no, that´s sad. I was really looking forward to play this game T_T

its cancellation is bad and they should feel bad!!

Crap! I wanted to buy that! I want to play Battle Royale with four players on Wii U. =(

X( Argh!

The moment they became Bandai Namco, it seem the first thing they want to do is pissed off Nintendo gamers and these were the people Nintendo is giving Super Smash Bros. 4 for development too. Such crappy announcement, delay if you must but don't cancelled it.

That's disappointing.

Really Namco? No offense but it's a wonder Nintendo's allowing you to help make Smash Bros. when you've barely supported their home console with games.

Namco is most likely cutting support because this game isn't gonna make them top much money and their Wii U and 3ds teams are working on Smash Bros. This is a small game featuring ports of old games, so I don't think it was a big deal. I doubt Namco is gonna pull an EA.

First EA, then BandaiNamco? C'mon! They're one of my favorite game developers and publishers! They can't make up stupid excuses just like EA does?!

Come on, I was hoping to play Pacman VS WITHOUT strangling my friends with the cables... There's even a Max Payne reference in there, somehow, somewhat.

Hopefully we might at least get some of these games individually, should Nintendo get around to re-launching the VC Arcade. Best not hold our breath though.

I really enjoy reading news on this site, especially Kerry's pieces.

So I did not break any EUA. I did not use foul language. Any reason for the mod edit?

Normally I'd just roll my eyes and nothing more, but the fact that Namco is helping Nintendo with development of one of their own games, yet still stab them in the back like almost everyone else already is just downright despicable.

WTF Namco!

Ok, before everyone attacks Namco and acts like they are stabbing Nintendo in the back, let's keep in mind a few things. First off, maybe an issue with the emulation of certain games played a role in the game being canceled. Namco did mention that the Wii U and 3DS versions being "delayed" played a role in the game being canceled. Maybe the Wii U and 3DS versions fell behind the other versions so much, Namco felt they could not make their money back on the project.

Does it suck that this game got canceled? Yes, but Namco must have a good reason beyond the fact that they want to spite Nintendo fans. The fact that a 3DS version got canceled should send up red flags that something more is up than Namco being mean or wanting to "stab" Nintendo in the back.

"A delay in development." can mean many things. Maybe Namco could not get all the emulated games to work on the Wii U or 3DS. Maybe they and Nintendo could not reach an agreement on how the game would be sold on the eshop.

My point is this, can we at least give Namco some benefit of the doubt before we all demonize them? The fact that the 3DS version got canned as well says something.

Maybe Nintendo and Namco could not reach an agreement on the game's DLC or the price on the eshop.

Lets all take a step back from this. It sucks that Namco did this, but they may not be the evil company that everyone thinks they are. Maybe something happened that caused them to back away from the Nintendo versions.

At least give them a little benefit of the doubt.

They are supporting each other where it is important (Mario Kart Arcade GP).

Keeping the Arcade's going is more important to me than putting porting stuff to NIntendo consoles. (Exclusives are different).

@Falchion I disagree. I think it would have made them quite a bit of cash

How exactly is the WiiU supposed to get the attention these developers want to see if these games get canceld left and right ?

@SirQuincealot I agree, they should put Pac-MAn & Galaga Dimensions on the eShop and/or make a Namco Museum 3DS

@Caryslan I've already given up on BamDai ever since the ToGf betrayal.

But one thing that really seems baffling is that all these companies who cancel multiplatform titles on Nintendo consoles only say stuff along the line of "unexpected technicall difficulties" or "delays forced us to...".
Isn't it ridiculous how companies are unable to forsee possible issues with consoles that work obvoiusly different? Is that incompetence, or is it arrogance in the face of the unknown?
Funny enough, this is turning into a cliché: almost every developer with plans to bring stuff to WiiU has cancelled at least one project, and all of those who did so AFTER announcing an upcoming release either did it because it lacks support (which is cowardice for the sake of pennies), or because of unforeseen development issues (which is simply incompetence for NOT even looking at a platforms development workflow before spouting such nonsense).

At this point, dev's become more and more lazy, greedy and arrogant. They demand more profit, but neither do they put in the effort to actually deserve it, nor do they admit or even realize that their laziness is the most weighting part of that failure. And if I may say so openly: dev's like these are worthless as a whole as long as they won't get out of their thrones and work for their money.

@Faustek Still you have to admit that what Namco did was rude considering they're developing a Nintendo exclusive. I know they probably did it because, they thought it wasn't a sound investment but still when you're working on an exclusive for a console you don't just ditch it by leaving out your company's games. Also the community here is pretty nice in my opinion. Way better than some other forums I've been on so don't lose hope on us yet.

@Einherjar Nintendo isn't really supporting the Arcades (A new Donkey Kong for example) which is Namco's thing.

So, they cancel the release of a game on the system best suited for it, but continue ahead with releasing it on less suitable platforms? Ok. More money I can devote to other games.

No reason to cancel the 3DS one, heck I would've bought the Wii U version myself, but oh well. I honestly can't think its that much harder to develop on a Wii U compared to a PS3 and 360, its even more powerful. Must be really hard to port their games...better be at least, for what seems like an unnecessary cancellation.

Let me guess ... Sakurai wouldn't allow PacMan on the smash roster and this is there answer to that

I'm surprised they canceled the 3ds version, that would have sold well on the eshop.

Their reason makes no sense if they are still releasing it on the other platforms.

-_-

"A delay in development?" I was under the impression that delay was not synonymous with cancellation.

@PikminWorld As @Caryslan said I think we're not seeing the issue since Bandai isn't communicating those to us. To Nintendo's benefit. How would it look if a company couldn't get their emulator to work due to bad support or just a technical mess in the Wii U?
Should they say "Nah, sorry. Nintendo's <various reasons> are really bad and the work we have to do to get it to work would cost more than we can ever make back even counting the good grace."? Remember the PS3's early days? Mine was a PS2 and blue ray machine only. Heck my Wii U mostly only play Wii games since I'm to lazy to rip and emulate them. Plus the controllers aren't as good as the original ones. Sorry my darling PC.

Sorry for the offtopic rant but I love all my gaming systems from the Commodore, gameboy, GBA, DS, 3DS, Nes, SNES, N64, GC, Wii, Wii U, PSX, PS2, PS3, PS4, 360 and my PC, only thing I don't own is a XBO, can't justify to buy a system with exactly 0 games that interest me.

No that would be really bad for company as Bandai as they are to huge and actually run by smart people. At least I assume they have learned from their mistakes, Vesperia. Actually the whole Tales of console series are for now on PS3 only since the Xbox owners didn't buy it enough to actually be worth the extra cost.

I think that what Bandai is doing is great for Nintendo. Let's just hope Nintendo is smart enough to learn from them, learn how to develop for a HD system and perhaps just perhaps start a beautiful romance with Bandai where they can support each other and help each other grow.

Lame excuse and weak decision. But it's not a surprise, not in this era of the industry.

that sad, i would love support wii u to buy this
might as well get it for xbox 360 then

They could also just release the original arcade games on virtual console.

Well...this sucks,I love Pac-man and was looking forward to play this on the Wii U

This is really a loss, was waiting for this.

"Delay in development"? Sorry, but I don't buy into companies giving the end-user's weak reasons for why something that they previously and publicly announced is abruptly cancelled. Too many companies are doing it now, and it has to be just as frustrating to many of you that a company can't act mature enough to provide a concrete reason.

tbh, I think every game company out there really needs to take a good, long look in the proverbial mirror. They need to see that we aren't mindless rabble or sheep, but mostly mature and rational people who would probably accept a reasonable justification as to why a particular project is scrapped. Even if it's a bit technical, it'd still be the truth.

(And yes, being a classic gamer myself, I was waiting on this project to play on 3DS. The user base on 3DS is more than enough to support this game, so "Namco-Bandai" needs to explain this cancellation a lot further.)

Namco hates the west and Nintendo. Not even an eShop release? I was going to but this for Wii U. The real shame here is the loss of Battle Royale. Battle Royale and Pac-Man Vs. need to be on the eShop ASAP.

Its all about install base at the moment.They need to make sure they have as much chance of making a profit as they can.I am suprised that 3DS has been cancelled but can completely understand the wiiU. I have a wiiU and love the system (using it to write this) but just as there is no xboxone and ps4 versions coming out I pretty much thought there wasnt enough wiiUs to justify this title. It is a pity too,but it looks like its beging to become a trend on all three of the newest systems with delays and cancelations. Smaller install base means smaller chance of making profit and the newer systems would probably need bigger budgets than the older more established systems.

I'm sad. I'm a huge pac-fan. I love the new Pac-Man game released last year or the year before on 3DS. Was looking forward to this! ;/

They don't give us Pac-Man Museum, they don't give us the Symphonia HD games, Namco, what the heck is going on with you?

@Raptor78 They can use the PC version to put it on Xbone/PS4 any time they want (Add minor changes).

@Anguspuss
You're saying that as if Nintendo doesn't do the same thing.

@faint well it wasn't gonna break the bank, they wont miss the cash. Maybe I just don't know causw pacman means little to me because I am only 17. Only played the original pacman and it did little for me without nostalgia.

To be honest, I don't really care... If I want pac-man, I'll just buy the virtual console release. Still, stinks that it isn't coming.

@Faustek I see what you mean. I just get tired of seeing 3rd party games not come, sorry. I do have my PC for the multi-plats luckily but for some strange reason I like to play games more on consoles. I hope things pick up for the Wii U like it did for the PS3, just hopefully not as long haha.

I hope Nintendo is picking up on some of the other companies' techniques that'll bring in more gamers to the Wii U. All I really want is Nintendo's consoles to still have individually even if they are gimmicks I still love them because it's different but also the things other people really want on their consoles. Sorry if I sounded repetitive throughout that.

This is unfortunate. I was looking forward to this one.

@PikminWorld hah same here. PC mostly for multiplats but there is something special sitting down with one of the consoles/handhelds. And yes, hopefully it doesn't take as long as the PS3 but it's a steep hill for the Wii U to climb. I for one am ready to support it. Unfortunately it'll probably only be exclusives and some Indies not on the 3DS/Vita. My biggest hope actually it should be a rule. Since the PS4 and XBO will mostly get the same games, barring that the RPG crowd stays with the Sony systems/3DS they'll pick up the Wii U as well.
I know not everyone can afford multiple consoles or handhelds but I'm really wishing that they who can go for the Wii U and/or Vita since there is content that is wonderful which you can only find on those systems.

And to address the community issues I brought up, I've been reading through old news and its really just those with bad news where the devil comes out in people so now I know better than to read the comments to carefully in those.

@Faustek how do indie groups comprised of ten or less manage to port to the wii u 3ds eazly?

@faint they are indie games, a totally different animal. They use very limited resources from a graphical standpoint. The graphic engines in use are simpler in every way. Not to bad mouth them. Look at Hyper light Drifter, the most beautiful game I've seen in years, achieved without a fancy phantarei triple deluxe hyper duckduck ultra engine
But what we need to understand that what Nintendo does with their systems is something different in every way compared to MS/Sony. There are similarities, enough IMHO to actually take time and add the code needed for the multiplat engines out there.

But remember that when a Company as big as Bandai/Capcom moves I costs a lot of money. For us consumers it would be awesome if they perhaps spent those extra millions it would cost to tune the engines for all the platforms but not for them. If its because if bad management or some business decision I'm savvy to I will leave unmentioned but to attack a company because it left out a title that wouldn't net them any profits and at the same time filling Nintendo's rooster with an awesome exclusive is just...well sad on our part.

Edit: autocorrect thought Bandai was Banzai

This sucks, I was really looking forward to this.

So many strong feelings of disappointment towards a rather disappointing game that nobody would buy or even want to play anyway

@Faustek they have already ported two retail titles to the wii u. They are currently working directly with nintendo on two major products and witnessing exactly how they deal with thier own engines. Ubi soft stated that it cost 18 mill to port assasins creed 4 and this is pacman. It's also an eshop title which is even cheaper. Zen has had no problem with this and they are much smaller. the u may have a small install but the 3ds is huge and growing even faster than the ps4xbone. And last but not least xseed has stated that the 3ds is the cheapest platform to port/publish games too out of the heavy hitters.

@faint And I never said anything about the 3DS. Been talking about the Wii U. Not porting it to the 3DS is like ignoring the sun. But emulating something and writing it directly for a system is different. But hey let's ignore all Bandai games for this. I mean really ignore all Bandai titles because we don't get Pacman. Sounds like an awesome idiea right?

Man, any GOOD news for Wii U besides cancellations for dumb reasons?

NEarly on the eve of the release it gets canned. They probably stopped it last Fall if truth be known.

@Raptor78 how can it be an install base issue? 3DS has a large user base, why cancel it there?

@Faustek I never said boycot namco. This is actually the first cancellation I have been miffed about tho. I personally feel like they are kicking a lot of cash out of bed and this thread seems to mirror it. If they are canceling this then I expect little from them from here on out. Why cancell the 3ds version? no good reason

@faint the general testimony of the commentators was about ignoring Bandai. I called this out since many, IMO, was behaving appalling, a mod did not like my response and edited that out. To much of an attack on the community? Will never know.

But cancelling the Wii U version is sound from a perspective but from another its stupid. They would definitely get more coverage if they released on the Wii U eShop whereas the 3DS release...yeah that I don't get. All I can think is that something with the emulation differs to much compared to the other systems and Bandai don't see the gain compared to the cost of the extra work.

I'm seriously bummed about this. I'd love to have it on the 3DS. Oh well, as I always say; disappointment is a huge part of life, better get used to it...

Never was a big fan of Pac-Man

Pacman, you will be sorely missed...

@Unca_Lx ... me either. Meh.

I'm a bit disappointed though I have the Pac-Man games for the Virtual Console Arcade on my Japanese Wii and others for MAME on my Mac, I was looking forward to this title. To be honest it makes me less enthusiastic about getting the upcoming Ghostly Adventures platform game, though if that included emulated classics like the original I'd be all over it.

@faint yes increase in digital but decrease in software overall.. consoles are dead.. ps4 will max out in 2 years. .

don't think they'll cancel it rather than delay wiiu/ 3ds versions. didn't they say one version of smash would come out before the other? if they cancelled this, that would be stupid for them, they should know nintendo if where their audience is

So this is where we depart, no PAC man, no soul calibur, no tekken, no ridge racer and no tales of. This is probably my favourite third party who over the past 6 years have slowly turned thier back on Nintendo.

@unrandomsam Not arguing that isn't the case, but they see it as way to milk money out of people. Maybe the reason the Wii U & 3DS versions didn't make it has less to do with development issues and more to do with marketing research that tells them DLC doesn't sell on those platforms.

Hmm... perhaps the only teams that do Wii U and 3DS development at Bandai Namco are far too deep into overtime on Smash Bros. so they couldn't bring this pac-man game to completion in time. Seems feasible to me.

At least that would be more professional than "no pac-man in SSB?! No pac-man at all! nyah! nyah!"

@xj0462 Woop woop woop woop!

This is one game that should've been a natural fit on the Wii U. It's a shame.

What?

Ugh.

It seems you can't have faith in anything not made by Nintendo anymore...

Oh well. I wasn't even planning on buying this.

This sucks I would much rather play pac man on wii u or 3ds than the ps3

I'm pretty upset about this as I would've bought this for sure on Wii U.

That said as noted in the article, Pac Man Vs. would be a lock for a Wii U port, so I'll keep an open mind and hope Namco is planning something else for Wii U.

Namco Bandai has sure been cancelling a few of its titles on the Wii U.. Well I sure hope they announce a future partnered collaboration; like DigimonXPokemon! My goodness how many times have I wished for this.

@element187 I was refering to the wiiU. I said I was surprised that they would cancel the 3DS version. I imagine it would probably be the most profitable download title.

So they change their name from the beautiful, fun-to-pronounce "Namco Bandai" to "Bandai Namco" then start being jerks. The downfall of Namco... I mean Bandai is coming D':

Wow, just Bandai Namco you know thats wrong. Nintendo cant even get simple ole PAC-MAN?!

Another nail in the coffin for the Wii U. And I'm a Nintendo fan. At least, I was, until the Virtual Console screwed everything up.

I had no interest in this game but it says a lot about the state of the Wii u when it doesn't even get Pac Man games.

Could be anything, from dlc not being their definition of profitable on WU/3DS, hard to emulate, their WU/3DS divisions on Smash; these are all reasons stated by others here, not myself. Give credit (for theories) where credit is due.

Odd, but there may be a respectable reasoning. Remember, no co. likes to lose any amount of money, no matter how small the loss.

I find it dissapointing that recent compilations from Namco lack Ms. Pac-Man. Proabaly due to it not being designed in Japan, but it's still one of the better Pac-Man games. I might get this for 360 for Pac-Land and Battle Royale, but the lineup is somewhat disappointing. Too bad for 3DS, but at least Pac-Man Galaga Demnisions fills some of the Pac fix for 3DS.

Dude, seriously. Just give me a new Pac-Man Vs. I couldn't care less about other Pac-Man stuff.