Originating in Japan and developed by Namco, the Pac-Man franchise has been entertaining children and adults since 1980. The round character that feeds on dots and avoids colorful ghosts has become an icon for videogames and is the protagonist of dozens of games.
The multiplicity of Pac-Man themed games and their presence on all platforms can make it difficult to choose a game to get introduced to this character’s universe. Many Pac-Man games have been remade to be supported by modern platforms, thus to be accessible to new generations (and players with nostalgia for the classic games). This article lists and briefly describes 14 remakes of games from this franchise to accompany you in your choice and simplify it.
Table of Contents
PAC-MAN 99 (2021)
Developed for the Nintendo Switch, Pac-Man 99 is a battle royale multiplayer game. Up to 99 players can compete in a 2D maze. Following the original concept of the franchise, players control a Pac-Man that eats dots, avoids ghosts, and absorbs power pellets. In this game, the power pellets allow you to eat ghosts, but doing this also sends enemies to slow down your opponents and sometimes to even eliminate them from the game.
This game features paid downloadable content such as skins and offline game modes. The PAC-MAN 99 Deluxe Pack includes all paid DLC, so be careful not to purchase content twice if you own that version of the game.
Playable up to 99 players.
Available on Nintendo Switch.
Warning: this game is scheduled to be discontinued in October 2023. People who own paid downloadable content should still be able to access the following offline modes: CPU Battle mode, Score Attack, and Blind Time Attack.
Arcade Archives PAC-MAN (2021)
The Arcade Archives Pac-Man series faithfully reproduces more than 200 classic Pac-Man arcade games, adapting them to newer platforms. Players can adjust game settings such as difficulty or display, and they can compete for the highest score with people from all around the world. The menu and instructions for this game are available in Japanese, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. The next two sections describe games that are also part of the Arcade Archives Pac-Man series.
1-2 players.
Available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Arcade Archives SUPER PAC-MAN (2022)
Arcade Archives SUPER PAC-MAN is a remake of the game SUPER PAC-MAN released in 1982, a game that introduces super power pellets. These items can be eaten by Pac-Man to give him temporary invincibility or a speed bonus.
1-2 players.
Available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Arcade Archives PAC-MANIA (2022)
Arcade Archives PAC-MANIA is a remake of the game PAC-MANIA, released in 1987. This game introduces the third dimension into the Pac-Man universe, as the title character can now jump to dodge ghosts and to eat dots.
1-2 players.
Available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC (2022)
PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC is a remake of the 3D platform game Pac-Man World released in 1999, adapting it to modern platforms in the Unity game engine. On his birthday, Pac-Man sees his family and friends kidnapped by his long-time enemies, the ghosts. He then decides to cross the six worlds to save his family and to defeat the ghosts.
Unlike the games in the Arcade Archives series, the new version of this game modifies several elements of the original game it is based on. Some levels and boss battles have been modified, new powers are available for Pac-Man, and the designs of some levels, characters, and settings have also been revised.
A DLC can be purchased for this game. It adds an appearance to Pac-Man and unlocks a jukebox to listen to the game’s music.
1 player
Available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Steam).
PAC-MAN™ CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION 2 PLUS (2018)
Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 (2016) is an arcade game in a maze that follows the concept of the first Pac-Man games. It does, however, add a faster game system, bonus items, and mechanics that allow up to three collisions with a ghost before losing a life.
Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus takes this game by adding a 2-player co-op mode on the Nintendo Switch.
1 player. 1-2 players on Nintendo Switch.
Available on PS4, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
PAC-MAN VS. (Free Multiplayer-only Ver.) (2017)
PAC-MAN VS. (Free Multiplayer-only Ver.) is available as a free download from the Nintendo Virtual Store. In this game, you can play as Pac-Man or a ghost and play with three other people.
Please note that two consoles, each with Namco Museum , are required to play as a group of 3 or 4 people.
2-4 players.
Available on Nintendo Switch.
ARCADE GAME SERIES 3-IN-1 PACK (2016)
ARCADE GAME SERIES 3-IN-1 PACK includes the games Pac-Man (1980), Galaga (1981), and Dig Dug (1982), adapted to the chosen platform. The next two sections introduce the two Pac-Man games included in this set of games.
1 player.
Available on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
ARCADE GAME SERIES: PAC-MAN (2016)
It is a remake of the game Pac-Man (1980) on PC (Steam), on PS4, and on Xbox One. This version faithfully follows the original arcade game and includes options to customize settings.
1 player.
Available on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
ARCADE GAME SERIES: Ms. PAC-MAN (2016)
Just like the two games described above, this game is a remake for PC (Steam), for PS4, and for Xbox One. This time it is the game Ms. Pac-Man (1981) that is remade. The rules of this game are very similar to those of Pac-Man, but Ms. Pac-Man has access to a teleportation tunnel and faces ghosts that have less predictable behaviors.
1 player.
Available on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
PAC-MAN 256 (2015)
Inspired by the famous level 256 glitch in the original Pac-Man game, PAC-MAN 256 is an infinite multiplayer maze game. In this game, players challenge not only ghosts, but also a new enemy: the Glitch itself. To do this, 20 surprising new bonuses can be absorbed by Pac-Man. Originally designed as a mobile phone game, this game features in-app purchases such as visual themes and resurrections.
1-4 players
Available on Android, iOS, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION DX+ ALL YOU CAN EAT EDITION BUNDLE
This is a pack that includes the following Pac-Man Championship games on PC:
- Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+: Big Eater Course
- Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+: Championship III & Highway II Racing
- Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+: Dig Dug Skin
- Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+: Mountain Course
- Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+: Pac is Back Skin
- Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+: Pac Steps BGM
- Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+: Rally-X Skin
- Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+: Reentrance BGM
The concept of the Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+ games is that Pac-Man awakens ghosts, creating the longest line of pursuers possible, and then absorbs a bonus, turns around, and eats all his pursuers.
1 player.
Available on PC (Steam).
PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ (2022)
PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ is a pack that includes 14 legendary Pac-Man games and customization options for your virtual arcade. On console, it is possible to play some of the titles in local multiplayer.
The games included are:
- PAC-MAN
- SUPER PAC-MAN
- PAC & PAL
- PAC-LAND
- PAC-MANIA
- PAC-ATTACK
- PAC-IN-TIME
- PAC-MAN ARRANGEMENT Arcade ver.
- PAC-MAN ARRANGEMENT CS ver.
- PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION
- PAC Motos
- PAC’N ROLL REMIX
- PAC-MAN BATTLE ROYALE
- PAC-MAN 256
1-4 players.
Available on Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam), PS4, and Xbox One.
NAMCO MUSEUM ARCHIVES Vol 1
It is a set of 11 successfull 8-Bit era games developed by Namco. Some of these titles had never been localized in the West before. The versions of the games in this set differ from the originals by the presence of a save function to stop the game at any time and a replay function to re-do an action at the last minute.
The games included are:
- Galaxian
- Pac-Man
- Xevious
- Mappy
- Dig Dug
- The Tower of Druaga
- Sky Kid
- Dragon Buster
- Dragon Spirit: The New Legend
- Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti
- Pac-Man Championship Edition
1-2 players.
Available on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam).
Conclusion: Which Pac-Man game to choose?
It is worth noting that the vast majority of the games named above are arcade and action games that rely on a chase in a maze. They are all considered appropriate for an audience of all ages.
If you’re looking for a gaming experience as reminiscent as possible of the 80s and 90s arcades, the games in the Arcade Archives, Arcade Museum, and Namco Museum Archives series are remakes that are faithful to the original games, adapted to modern platforms.
If you are interested in a mix of classic arcade gameplay and innovation, the Pac-Man Championship Edition, PAC-MAN 256, and PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC are good choices.
If you are looking first for a group or family activity and you have a Nintendo Switch, PAC-MAN 99, PAC-MAN VS. (Free Multiplayer-only Ver.), and PAC-MAN 256 will meet your expectations.
