While Pac-Man 3D Tilt isn’t in 3D, Galaga 3D Impact, the second game in Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions, utilizes the Nintendo 3DS’ glasses-free 3D screen. Following in the footsteps of Galaga Remix in Namco Museum Remix, this game is also an on-rails shooter. Instead of protecting Pac-Man while he’s rolling, you’re back in outer space.
Armed with a laser and an infinite supply of time-reloading bombs, players blast space bugs and a rock scorpion who shows up a few times during the level. You aim by tilting the Nintendo 3DS. A representative explained the optimal way to play Galaga 3D Impact is by holding the 3DS in place and spinning your body around to hit enemies as they whiz by. Enemies fire bullets, but you can cancel attacks with your lasers or a well-timed bomb.
Bullets fly towards the player popping out of screen. Enemies grow in size and eventually hover over the background as they get closer. The 3D effect is neat, but it’s also problematic. The ideal solution of only turning the system doesn’t work when enemies spiral towards the player. I had to move the 3DS up, down, left, and right to lock my lasers onto the intergalactic insects. Moving the system rapidly also moved the "3D sweet spot", which made the graphics at best hard to follow and at worse eye straining at the highest 3D setting.
Halfway through the level I turned the 3D slider all the way down to see what Galaga 3D Impact was like without blurry visuals. The game felt more functional without tracking at two enemies stacked on top of each other. I occasionally turned the 3D setting back on, but I felt Galaga 3D Impact was better experienced sans 3D. After the scorpion boss attacked and retreated a few times, I finally faced the monster in a boss fight. Each part of the rock scorpion could be targeted and blinked red after hitting it. I threw a few bombs at its torso and soon enough a "Thank you for playing the demo" screen popped up.
Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions is slated for a summer release in North America.
