Developer: Namco Bandai Games Inc.
Publisher: Namco Bandai Games Inc.
Rating Guide: How I Review Games

Review:

Normally I wouldn’t review a classic title from the Xbox Live Arcade and that’s because there’s generally nothing new from the era that they debuted in so what would be the point in reviewing a “yesteryear” title?  However, with all rules come exceptions.  Pac-Man Championship Edition is that exception because the game, in my opinion, is so much more than what we all remember about the original Pac-Man. 

Gameplay, Graphics and Sound 

Yes, I’m reviewing a classic title because this game is just that damn fun.  I went into the game not expecting much at all.  I mean it is only Pac-Man ofcourse; a game that I’ve played for dozens of years.  But I don’t know if I’ve had this much fun with a classic Xbox Live Arcade title…scratch that, I haven’t had this much fun with a classic Xbox Live Arcade title period.  It seems as if everything that made the original Pac-Man great has been multiplied by 10 in the Championship Edition.  All of your favorite characters are back for more puzzling action but this time the stage is a little different.

There are a variety of timed modes in Pac-Man CE that you can choose from.  You can choose Championship Mode, Challenge Modes 1&2, or Extra Modes 1-3.  You have a set number of minutes ranging from 5-10 to complete each mode.  Within this time you have to eat as many dots, gobble up as many ghosts and score as many points as you can!  There are Achievements to be had for crying out loud and the race is on.  The analog stick will give you a much better experience than the D-pad as far as controlling the yellow man so be sure to forget about the D-pad altogether.

During the game, the puzzle instantly changes to give you more trouble escaping those pesky ghosts.  The changing puzzles had to be the best part about this new edition.  I would think to myself that I’ve got this particular layout mastered and then out of nowhere, the puzzle totally changes and I’m back trying to escape through different means.  It was great.  Even old Pac-Man himself, forever known as the slow one between himself and Ms. Pac-Man, gains some speed as you progress.  I thought that was a nice touch as well as it definitely adds to the action.

One cool thing about this edition is that when you die, you don’t get reset to the middle of the puzzle.  Instead, when you lose a life, you reappear in the same spot to simply continue your gobbling.  I made good use of that. 

Visually, the game is the best looking Pac-Man in the Xbox Live Arcade.  The HD display along with the widescreen layout definitely puts this game heads and shoulders above the rest.  The levels are very well done with their vibrant colors and ”glow” as I call it.  Mixed together it almost gives the levels a bit of vibrating feeling to them.  You’ll see Pac-Man with a little glow going through the tunnels.  Pac-Man CE was a treat to look at if only because I didn’t have to adjust my screen to fit.  Before you panic, let me say that all the great sounds that we’ve come to love are there with 5.1 magic.

Xbox Live Extras

Pac-Man Championship Edition doesn’t support multiplayer unfortunately.  It does have leaderboards. (exciting huh)  That’s the only gripe I have really about this game.  It was a great thing for Iwatani and Namco to create this new edition but for all that is holy, why not throw multiplayer in or some form of two-player battle?

Conclusion

Pac-Man CE is a hit!  The anxiety of the timer, the changing puzzles, the new visual flare… I could go on because so much about this remake was done right.  The price point of 800 Microsoft Points might turn some people off but if it’s not a stretch for you, then I know you won’t be disappointed.  Even if you’re not a Pac-Maniac, I think you’ll find a ton of fun with this game.  It left me wishing there was no timer so that I could enjoy the action all night. 

The man who started it all, Toru Iwatani, leaves it all on the line with perhaps his biggest gift to gamers.  After 26 years, Iwatani delivered everything we loved in years past with the glamor that we love today in Pac-Man Championship Edition.