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posts from @sarahssowertty tagged #namco

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This week's Arcade Archives release is... Pac-Mania (Namco, 1987).

UK
PSN
Switch

US
PSN
Switch

This is one I personally played on the ZX Spectrum back when I was only slightly smaller than I am now, but I spent more time on it much later on down the line on Namco Museum Vol. 5 for the PS1. The first real maze-chase Pac-Man since Pac & Pal, it was certainly an interesting attempt to modernise the game, so to speak- big, chunky graphics, an isometric perspective, new ghosts and bonuses and even a jump button! This rerelease also includes, for the first time IIRC, the option to pick the English or Japanese versions, and there's significant differences as outlined on The Cutting Room Floor.

It's a little divisive because of its viewpoint- you can't see all of the maze, which is a bit of a problem for a Pac-Man game where you need to know where the ghosts are and how much of the maze you've cleared. The jump mechanic does help to mitigate this a little so you usually won't be caught off-guard, but in later rounds ghosts can jump too! It also has a fantastic soundtrack, with bits of it remixed for Smash Bros. by Yuji Masubuchi who did a lot of work on THE iDOLM@STER series.

Remember your P A C s, kids Anyway, I think something we can agree is good about the game with no question is the Japanese flyer. CRAZYMAN!! WHAT'S HAPPENING!!

And yes, this is in Pac-Man Museum + but that version has no dip-switches, no region select and no vertical screen support on Switch. Boo.