Retro Arcade Featuring Pac-Man - Longplay

Note that there is some hissy static noise in the background for most silent parts in the video, there are some instances of flickering video, and the audio is really quiet. I couldn't do much about that last part, and the first two could be really disorienting and bothersome to those who watch this. My recording setup isn't the best for these things, and plus this device is many years old and has laid mostly dormant for a VERY long time. I'm honestly surprised it held up through this whole thing.

If you were a kid in the mid-late 2000s, the concept of "Plug it in and Play" consoles was probably known of to you. Various companies, one of the most notable ones being Jakks Pacific, would release several of these types of consoles that require 4 AA batteries, and from there can just be plugged into your TV, turned on, and played. It's a unique sort of spin on the idea of consoles, as everything is basically built into the controller itself. This was likely the kind of console your parents or grandparents might've gotten you if they wanted to get you a video game but didn't want too much of a hassle; they're usually pretty cheap.

And when you actually play on one of them, it's easy to see why. They output in very cheap, low quality Composite video, and the game quality is... well, not the greatest. Usually the games themselves are at best interesting and at worst total cashgrabs. These things are really meant for children.

Namco seemed to enjoy these devices, though, as they made several compilations of their classic arcade titles for them. The Pac-Man 5-in-1 and Ms. Pac-Man 5-in-1 are probably two of the most familiar to you, but the last one known to be released from Jakks Pacific was this one, the ultimate Namco Plug 'n Play collection: The Retro Arcade Featuring Pac-Man. (There's actually a Retro Arcade Featuring Space Invaders console with a similar controller design, but for Taito games.)

The design of the console is pretty sick. It looks very similar to an arcade machine's controller, and even has a coin slot for the power button that lights up when turned on. I also like the main menu, and how it changes color over time. As for the games themselves... there are 12 of them:
0:00:00 - Bootup
0:00:46 - Pac-Man (1980)
0:08:58 - Pac-Man Plus (1982)
0:14:05 - Super Pac-Man (1982)
0:23:57 - Pac & Pal (1983)
0:34:18 - Mappy (1983)
0:43:23 - Dig Dug (1982)
0:50:40 - Pole Position (1982)
0:53:58 - Bosconian (1981)
1:11:54 - Xevious (1982)
1:18:28 - Galaxian (1979)
1:22:41 - Galaga (1981)
1:32:54 - New Rally-X (1981)

The controls aren't that great. The joystick is 4-way, which is really bad for Bosconian and Xevious. Pole Position requires twisting the control stick instead of turning it; don't ask me why. The buttons are okay, except I'm right-handed and the buttons are on the left side of the controller, meaning I have a difficult time mashing them.

I will say I think the selection of games is nice, and this does make for a great novelty item or a gift for your children. Outside of that, you'll probably want to invest in other compilations. Hell, there's even another Plug 'n Play Bandai Namco released just a few years after this one (that will be for a future video) where the emulation quality is much better, and that's more worth your while.

BTW, holy SHIT that was probably my best game of Bosconian ever.

Recorded using the original Retro Arcade Featuring Pac-Man Plug 'n Play console.

[jonathancreveling]

I love the buzzing sounds this thing makes, adds to the retro feel.

[NotArmani]

Glad people are making Longplays of Plug N Plays now... These things are amazing!

[KingoAnimate]

Even though I loved playing all these games as a child, I didn’t have that plug n play but the Arcade gold and the blue Ms. pac-man ones. I didn’t really play them again until I was 15. I wish I was a teenager again because I had fewer responsibilities than adulthood, I miss lazing around and playing video games all day, and doing my high school homework, etc. I even loved my youth too.

[MoldieAnimations]

Loved this plug n play as a kid, thanks for making this!

[mrswimshady]

Loved this thing. Got it in Christmas of 2009. and I miss it. I have the 2015 edition but the joystick is so stiff this one is just perfect

[captainducra]

GOOD... FREAKING... MEMORIES... RIGHT HERE!!!

I remember, back in middle school, making this exact controller into a makeshift tabletop arcade machine using some plywood and an old CRT TV that we had.
That and a few others, including the TAITO Space Invaders plug & play by Radica, and Jakks Pacific's wireless Ms. Pac-Man 7-in-1.

I had some more ideas in the works, but they never came to fruition.

[GavinGardner]

I had this since I was 6. I’m turning 17.

[PhirePhlame]

A really interesting tidbit is that New Rally-X actually uses a different instrument in the main BGM's B section - behavior which isn't present in the original game.

[lammericium-]

that white noise from the plug and play blasts nostalgia into my ear

[brickblock]

I'm surprised that the sound quality is different in the games of this version.

[JonesDylan]

The buzzing actually makes it better, IMO...

[mjdxp]

I remember playing Pac-Man as a kid, good memories.

[rgxs]

Another person that finds the buzzing not annoying but another good aspect for the retro feel.

Also it’s a okay collection of games for something like this. Still good though.

Also the change on the New Rally X theme, I kinda like it better than the original.

[brandomortega]

I Remembered Used To Playing Pac-Man Before I Think Is From Namco I Used To Playing It When How Was A Kid That's Sad But It's Broken

[xxdeadchannelxx]

It would have been nice if they had included Pole Position 2 on this.

[renefigueroa]

Ah Comrade Jakks. Too bad I broke mine because I screwed it open and a battery wire came off easily

[Dr.rubyLT]

I remember that I owned that Plug&Play console.

[evandombrowski]

Xevious doesn't play like that on my Ms Pacman plug n play, I noticed on this retro unit it repeats Area 1 over and over

[luisy.gonzalez]

How did the non-Namco game Pac-Man Plus, which was designed by Midway to take on bootlegs, end up here?

[leroyvisiongames]

I think there’s something wrong with Xevious on this console….. the background doesn’t match the placement of the enemy bases on the ground, and the boss appears to have been cut entirely!!