ARCADE GAME Series: Pac-Man Review
By Edwin Velez
The Hero of Coin-Ops is back and Still Shining
Bandai-Namco has brought back some of the most famous coin-op arcade games to the current generation of consoles. Featuring Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, and Dig-Dug, the Arcade Game Series invites retro gamers and fans alike to relive these classics in stunning 1080p. Each title features the original game with a decorative banner that embodies the feel of classic arcade cabinets. There are also some non-traditional settings, like round select and life amount change among other options. Each of these titles can be purchased for $3.99 on Xbox One, PS4, and Steam as well as a bundled 3-pack (Pac-Man, Dig-Dug, and Galaga) for $7.99. For this review we will take a quick look at the timeless classic Pac-Man.
The infamous pellet eating mascot is back in his original glory. The smash hit from 1980, Pac-Man, has hit consoles with a twist on the original look. The Arcade Game Series (AGS) has brought back several popular arcade titles, with Pac-Man arguably being the most popular and recognizable. Growing up, I was always fond of the little yellow, pie-shaped sprite that I saw fly across the screen. That still rings true today, and I am always buying Pac-Man related memorabilia. I used to watch my dad try to best his own scores and records whether it was at home or in our local arcades. I was never much good, and I am not much better here 16 odd years later, but that doesn’t change the fact that Pac-Man is a huge figure in gaming history, and deservingly so.
The infamous pellet eating mascot is back in his original glory. The smash hit from 1980, Pac-Man, has hit consoles with a twist on the original look. The Arcade Game Series (AGS) has brought back several popular arcade titles, with Pac-Man arguably being the most popular and recognizable. Growing up, I was always fond of the little yellow, pie-shaped sprite that I saw fly across the screen. That still rings true today, and I am always buying Pac-Man related memorabilia. I used to watch my dad try to best his own scores and records whether it was at home or in our local arcades. I was never much good, and I am not much better here 16 odd years later, but that doesn’t change the fact that Pac-Man is a huge figure in gaming history, and deservingly so.
At its core, AGS Pac-Man leaves the original largely unchanged. This is not the first re-release of the title, nor will it be the last as its popularity has stood the test of time for nearly 40 years. The whole original title is here with some added features. These features include round select (only after first completing), an option to enable the round 256 bug, as well as other sounds and visual settings. For those who are unfamiliar with Pac-Man (if that is even possible), the game sees players eating all the yellow pellets in a round while avoiding contact with four pesky ghosts. While racking up points and trying to make it to the next round, players can also eat Power Pellets that temporarily render the ghosts edible! This is the best way to earn bonus points as well as buy yourself some time to snag the remaining pellets on the stage.
Arcade Game Series Pac-Man is one of the best re-releases of the classic available, largely due to the fact that it is mostly unchanged. It still controls well and is as challenging as ever, and looks stunning in 1080p. Fit for an arcade, this iteration of Pac-Man is perfect for any age old fan and newcomers looking for a challenging dip into gaming historic past. Adding to the fun are collectible achievements and trophies which give new goals for players to achieve. If you want to pick up a retro title on the current gen, AGS Pac-Man is an easy decision to make at only $4.
*Note: A copy of the game was provided for the purposes of the review
Arcade Game Series Pac-Man is one of the best re-releases of the classic available, largely due to the fact that it is mostly unchanged. It still controls well and is as challenging as ever, and looks stunning in 1080p. Fit for an arcade, this iteration of Pac-Man is perfect for any age old fan and newcomers looking for a challenging dip into gaming historic past. Adding to the fun are collectible achievements and trophies which give new goals for players to achieve. If you want to pick up a retro title on the current gen, AGS Pac-Man is an easy decision to make at only $4.
*Note: A copy of the game was provided for the purposes of the review
Final Score: 9.5/10
|
+Looks Great in 1080p
+Additional Settings +Arcade Vibe |
Release Date: 4/20/2016
Developer: BANDAI NAMCO Studios Inc.
Publisher: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment
Developer: BANDAI NAMCO Studios Inc.
Publisher: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment