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Namco System 357
Namco System 357
Namco System 357
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The Namco System 357 is an arcade system board based on the Sony PlayStation 3. It was released in 2007 as the board for Tekken 6.[1] Unlike its predecessor, it did not see widespread adoption by other manufacturers.

In 2011, Namco released an upgraded version of the arcade board, the System 369, also known as System 359, for use with Tekken Tag Tournament 2. The System 369's specifications are the same as Slim model retail PS3 consoles, and as such feature a smaller chassis with less heat.

Specifications

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Main article: PlayStation 3 technical specifications

List of System 357 / System 359 / System 369 games

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References

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Namco System 357

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The Namco System 357 is an arcade system board developed by (later ) and based on the hardware architecture of the console, introduced in 2007 to power high-performance fighting games and other titles in arcades. This hardware leverages the PlayStation 3's Cell Broadband Engine processor—a 3.2 GHz PowerPC-based Power Processing Element (PPE) paired with seven Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs)—delivering up to 204 GFLOPS of single-precision floating-point performance, alongside an RSX Reality Synthesizer GPU derived from NVIDIA's G70 architecture with 256 MB of GDDR3 memory. The system also includes 256 MB of Rambus XDR DRAM main memory clocked at the CPU speed, with the Cell providing up to 204 GFLOPS and the RSX approximately 230 GFLOPS of single-precision floating-point performance, which supported advanced visual effects and multiplayer capabilities in arcade environments. Released initially as the 357A revision (model GECR-1100) for the 2007 arcade adaptation of Tekken 6, the platform evolved through subsequent updates, including the 357B (GECR-1500) in 2008 for titles like Tekken 6 Bloodline Rebellion, Razing Storm, and Deadstorm Pirates, and the 357C (GECR-2500) around 2010–2011 for games such as Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. and Dragon Ball ZENKAI Battle Royale. Later revisions (357B and 357C) were built on PS3 Slim motherboards (e.g., JTP-001), while the initial 357A used a fat PS3 motherboard, and all incorporated custom I/O interfaces, such as JVS boards or USB hubs, with games typically preinstalled on internal hard drives and secured via dongles for authentication. The System 357 represented Namco's shift toward console-derived arcade hardware to reduce development costs while maintaining console-like graphical fidelity, powering a lineup focused on competitive genres including fighting simulations and rail shooters until its successor, the System 369, took over for later releases like Tekken Tag Tournament 2 in 2011.

Overview and History

Introduction

The Namco System 357 is an arcade system board developed by Namco, utilizing hardware derived from the Sony PlayStation 3 console. Released in 2007, it debuted alongside the arcade version of Tekken 6, marking Namco's adoption of consumer-grade PlayStation 3 architecture for professional arcade applications. This system represented a significant shift in arcade hardware design, leveraging the PS3's powerful Cell processor and RSX graphics chip to deliver high-fidelity graphics and complex gameplay mechanics comparable to home console experiences. At its core, the System 357 features a 3.2 GHz Cell Broadband Engine CPU, consisting of one PowerPC-based Power Processing Element (PPE) and seven Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs), paired with 256 MB of XDR main memory and a NVIDIA-based RSX GPU with 256 MB GDDR3 RAM, achieving a combined theoretical performance of up to 2 TFLOPS. The board includes variants such as the 357A, 357B, and 357C, each tailored for specific game requirements and featuring custom I/O interfaces like JVS for cabinet connectivity. Games were typically pre-installed on an internal hard drive, with updates facilitated through USB or network connections, enabling operators to maintain and expand content efficiently. The System 357 powered a diverse library of arcade titles from 2007 until its discontinuation in 2016, including fighting games like Tekken 6 Bloodline Rebellion and Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs., light-gun shooters such as Razing Storm and Deadstorm Pirates, and rhythm titles in the Taiko no Tatsujin series. Its PS3 foundation allowed for rapid development cycles and cost-effective production, contributing to the longevity of arcade gaming during a period of industry transition toward and home entertainment. By bridging console and arcade ecosystems, the system helped sustain Namco's dominance in the and expanded into experiences.

Development and Release

The was developed by as an arcade system board utilizing the hardware architecture of the PlayStation 3, marking a continuation of Namco's practice of adapting console technology for arcade applications. This with allowed the board to incorporate the PS3's Cell Broadband Engine processor and RSX graphics chip, enabling high-fidelity 3D graphics and complex simulations suitable for fighting and action games. The system debuted in Japanese arcades on November 26, 2007, powering the initial release of , which became its flagship title and demonstrated the board's capabilities in delivering console-like experiences in commercial settings. This launch positioned the System 357 as Bandai Namco's primary arcade platform during the late 2000s, succeeding earlier systems like the System 256 and facilitating a smoother transition between home console and arcade development pipelines. Subsequent variants emerged to address hardware refinements and game demands. The 357A model, based on the PS3's COK-002 motherboard (similar to CECHCxx models), supported the original Tekken 6; the 357B, using the VER-001 motherboard on the GECR-1500 board, arrived in 2008 for updates like Tekken 6 Bloodline Rebellion and titles such as Deadstorm Pirates; while the 357C, with the JTP-001 motherboard on the GECR-2500 board, launched around 2009-2010 for games including the Gundam VS. Maxi Boost series and Taiko no Tatsujin installments. These iterations incorporated improvements like USB-based I/O interfaces and continued use of HDD storage, extending the system's viability until its discontinuation in 2016.

Hardware Architecture

Core Components

The Namco System 357 is an arcade system board that utilizes a customized version of the PlayStation 3's hardware architecture as its foundation. This adaptation leverages the PS3's Cell Broadband Engine processor and RSX graphics processor to deliver high-performance 3D graphics and physics simulations suitable for fighting games like Tekken 6. At the heart of the system is the Cell microprocessor, a heterogeneous developed jointly by , , and . It features a primary 3.2 GHz PowerPC-based Power Processing Element (PPE) that handles general-purpose computing tasks, augmented by six active Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs) optimized for vector processing and workloads; the seventh SPE is dedicated to operating system and functions, while the eighth is disabled. This configuration enables peak theoretical performance of 204 GFLOPS in single precision and 15 GFLOPS in double precision, facilitating complex game logic and AI behaviors in real-time arcade environments. The graphics processing is managed by the RSX 'Reality Synthesizer', NVIDIA's implementation of the 7800 GTX architecture (codenamed G70 or NV47). It includes 24 pixel shaders, 8 vertex shaders, and dedicated 256 MB of GDDR3 memory clocked at 650 MHz (1.3 GHz effective), supporting advanced rendering techniques such as programmable shaders and high-definition textures up to resolution. The RSX shares access to up to 224 MB of the system's main memory, which is 256 MB of running at the CPU's die speed of 3.2 GHz, allowing for efficient bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s between the CPU and GPU. Storage on the System 357 relies on a (HDD) for loading game data and updates, with preinstalled titles stored in a custom under /dev_hdd0/game. This setup, derived from motherboards including both original "fat" and "Slim" variants depending on the revision, supports rapid boot times and persistent essential for arcade operations, though exact HDD capacities vary by cabinet configuration. Overall, the Cell provides 204.8 GFLOPS and the RSX up to 256 GFLOPS in theoretical single-precision floating-point performance, underscoring the system's capability for immersive, high-fidelity arcade experiences.

Variants and Upgrades

The System 357 arcade platform was developed in multiple revisions to accommodate evolving hardware capabilities and game demands, primarily leveraging successive generations of PlayStation 3 architectures. These revisions, commonly referred to as 357A, 357B, and 357C, featured incremental improvements in connectivity, input/output interfaces, and firmware compatibility while maintaining the core Cell Broadband Engine processor and RSX graphics core. The inaugural 357A revision, designated model S357-07J and based on the GECR-1100 motherboard, debuted in 2007 exclusively for . This version utilized standard PS3 hardware with custom arcade , a JVS I/O board for controls, and no integrated , focusing on basic requirements. It supported version 1.10 for initial release and 1.60 for updates, with games installed on an internal hard drive paired to security dongles. Succeeding the 357A, the 357B revision (models S357B-08J and S357B-08E) employed the GECR-1500 motherboard and expanded support to titles like Tekken 6 Bloodline Rebellion (2008), Razing Storm (2008), and Deadstorm Pirates (2010). Key enhancements included variable USB port configurations—ranging from one to two ports—and optional inclusion of the H036 USJ PCB for enhanced input handling in and games. Firmware progressed to version 2.51 for Bloodline Rebellion, enabling broader peripheral compatibility without altering core processing performance. The 357C revision (models S357C-10J and S357C-11E), aligned with the GECR-2500 , addressed later 2010s arcade needs for games such as Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. (2010) and Dragon Ball Zenkai Battle Royale (2011). It introduced a single USB cable in the base S357C-10J for simplified setups, while the S357C-11E added a akin to consumer PS3 models, supporting up to three connectors for multi-peripheral titles like rail shooters. Firmware reached version 4.20 for Gundam Extreme Vs. Full Boost (2012), with USB-based I/O boards (e.g., US1001) replacing older JVS panels in some configurations. As a significant upgrade, the System 369—released in 2011 and sometimes denoted as System 359—transitioned to Slim hardware for improved efficiency and power management. Model S369-11J/E powered flagship releases including (2011) and extended to variants through 2017. It standardized a three-port , potentially overclocked RSX GPU and memory for higher frame rates in complex 3D fighters, and versions from 3.60 onward, marking the platform's final evolution before shifted to newer architectures.

Software and Games

Game Library

The Namco System 357's game library consists of a select group of arcade titles developed primarily by (later ), leveraging the hardware's PlayStation 3-derived capabilities for high-fidelity graphics and online features in fighting and shooting genres. Released starting in 2007, the system powered approximately a dozen games through 2014, emphasizing competitive multiplayer experiences in Japanese arcades. These titles often featured updates via hard drive swaps or network downloads, extending their lifecycle and incorporating player feedback. The library's focus on established franchises like and helped transition arcade gaming toward console-like production values while maintaining location-based social play. Key games on the system include flagship fighting entries and innovative shooters, with many supporting linked cabinets for versus modes. For instance, the series dominated early releases, while later titles expanded to tie-ins and pirate-themed adventures. The following table summarizes the known primary titles, their release years, and genres:
TitleRelease YearGenreNotes
2007FightingDebut title; introduced rage system and online matchmaking.
Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion2008FightingUpdate with new characters and stages; enhanced story mode.
Razing Storm2009On-rails light gun game; supports up to three players with mounted guns.
Deadstorm Pirates2010 pirate-themed shooter; included motion controls and co-op play.
: Extreme Vs.2010Versus fighter2v2 battles from the franchise; featured 18 playable units at launch.
Dragon Ball ZENKAI Battle Royale2011Battle royale fighterFree-for-all brawler with up to 8 players; based on .
Dark Escape 3D2012Horror-themed shooter.
Extreme Vs. Full Boost2014Versus fighterUpdate to Extreme Vs. with additional units and burst attacks.
Later iterations and updates were compatible with System 357 variants, though some migrated to successor hardware like the System 369 for enhanced features. The library's modest size reflects 's strategy of iterative updates over prolific releases, prioritizing quality and franchise longevity in the declining arcade market.

Notable Titles and Impact

The Namco System 357 powered a selection of high-profile arcade titles from the late and early , primarily focusing on fighting and light-gun shooting genres that capitalized on its PlayStation 3-derived hardware for enhanced visual fidelity and performance. Among the most prominent was (2007), the system's launch title, which introduced a larger roster of fighters, environmental interactions, and high-definition 3D models to arcades, running at 60 frames per second to deliver fluid combat sequences. Its follow-up, Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion (2008), expanded the story mode and added new characters, further leveraging the Cell processor's parallel processing for complex animations and rage mechanics. Other notable fighting games included (2010), a versus-style battler emphasizing team-based and explosive effects powered by the RSX GPU's capabilities. Similarly, Dragon Ball ZENKAI Battle Royale (2011) featured chaotic 4-versus-4 aerial combat with beam attacks and transformations, utilizing the system's 256 MB of for seamless multiplayer sessions. In the shooting category, Deadstorm Pirates (2010) offered an on-rails adventure with pirate themes, combining light-gun controls with dynamic particle effects for immersive gunplay. Razing Storm (2009), often bundled in deluxe cabinets, provided futuristic rail-shooter action against terrorists, benefiting from the hardware's 2 TFLOPS floating-point performance for detailed explosions and enemy AI. The System 357's impact lay in its pioneering use of consumer-grade components—such as the 3.2 GHz Cell CPU and NVIDIA-based RSX GPU—in arcade environments, enabling developers to achieve console-equivalent and connectivity in titles like : Extreme Vs. (2010) without custom silicon costs. This approach reduced development barriers for , allowing rapid iteration on franchises and sustaining arcade viability amid rising home console power, as evidenced by the system's support for over a dozen games that drew sustained player engagement through visual and mechanical advancements.
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