Namco ltd. is a former Japanese developer and publisher of arcade and home console video games. Namco was founded by Masaya Nakamura on June 1, 1955, beginning as a producer of coin-operated amusement rides for Japanese department store roof gardens. In 1974 the company purchased the struggling Japanese division of Atari. The acquisition inspired Namco to produce their own video games. Namco released their first major hit Galaxian in 1979, followed by Pac-Man in 1980, which has since become the most successful arcade game of all time.