Updated on March 31st, at 9:03: And they're gone. The App Store is now down several Namco games from the Katamari, Pac-Man, Rally-X, Ridge Racer, and Noby Noby Boy franchises.

Sad times.

Original story follows…

Namco Bandai says it will kill off a bunch of older mobile apps at the end of this month - including Kamatari, Pac Man, and Noby Noby Boy games - and has already removed some functionality from the games.

Katamari Amore, for example, no longer has any in-app purchases, making it impossible to access most of the game.

Writing in the iTunes descriptions for certain games, Namco says "We regret to inform you that service for this application will be terminated as of 3/30/2015."

Additionally, the firm points out that "items already purchased may be used until service termination," and that "upon service termination, guarantees of operation no longer apply."

So, if you have any interest in the following games you should probably download them and back them up before Monday:

  • Katamari Amore - Free
  • Rally-X Rumble - £1.49 / $1.99
  • Namco Sound Player - 79p / 99c
  • Noby Noby Boy - £1.49 / $1.99
  • Ridge Racer Accelerated HD - Free
  • Pac-Chomp - £1.49 / $1.99
  • Time Crisis 2nd Strike HD - Free
  • Pac'n-Jump - £1.49 / $1.99

I won't be too upset to see any of these gone, but I do worry about the impermanence of digital games. Who is archiving this stuff for future generations?