Pac-Man Championship Edition Review
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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.Â
Gameplay, Graphics and SoundÂ
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.Â
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.
# Pilex : party foul home...
June 12th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Awesome review, Deacon. Might pick this one up when I get points.
June 12th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
I got this game tonight and I agree with your review 100%. Very addicting! Its gonna be up there with Geo Wars I think. Just hope the 800 points doesnt turn ppl away from it. Trial it!
June 13th, 2007 at 2:40 am
thx guys. i was pretty shocked at the fun i had with it. solid XBLA title.
June 13th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Deacon, great review – and as much as I love this title, there are two additional things I wish the game had:
1. An unlimited time mode. No, I haven’t beaten the 10 minute survival modes, but still.
2. No cut-scenes, no story. What gives?
June 13th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Thats it…..I wanted to hate this title so much due to price and the fact its Pac-Man….but I have heard people LOVE it….tonight I spend my M-soft points on this and Prince of Persia……
Great review………please do more of these…..you have many skills great Jedi
June 13th, 2007 at 9:35 am
one must master all Jedi skills young padawan. more of these i will do.
June 13th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Great Review Deacon and as always, you are my padawan
ExOtIc > Yoda > Deacon
June 13th, 2007 at 10:28 am
confused Exotic must be. clearly a padawan can not be greater than a Jedi. and a Jedi you are not. lol
June 13th, 2007 at 10:43 am
I enjoyed the trial, but I just could not bring myself to spend $10 on it. I don’t think I would play it enough to be worth the money. I’d rather spend the $10 on the map pack for GRAW2.
June 13th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
most people can’t and i won’t argue with that. but like i said, if you’re one of the people who can suck up the 800 points, i think you’ll be pleased with all the different modes and such.
June 13th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Sweet review Deacon. I couldn’t have said it any better.
June 13th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
word life JVB
June 13th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
for you poor people and not so poor people or anyone who wants a free Pac-Man CE … here is a contest for 5 free games…..woooot…..err my jedi skills are so weak…as I just bought mine for 800 points…..ahhhh welll the dark side of the force is strong with me….maybe my Sith overlord will give me a refund if I win this contest? If not, I promise to give my code to Deacon for the fans here……
http://www.gamertagradio.com/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=4374
“I got Pac-Man fever…yammana yammana yammana”
June 14th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
This game is the $hit…PERIOD!!!!!
Amazingly fun and addictive.
I have half the achievement points….here is a GREAT guide to getting them all. I have a feeling 400,000 points is going to elude me though ;-(
http://xbla.nintexbox.com/games/pacmance/pacman_ce_ag.txt
June 14th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
so the review helped you make a great choice eh Bont?
*thumbs up*
June 14th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
2 thumbs….WAYYYYYYY up…..thanks to your review pushing me to get it.
So worth 10 bucks……
June 14th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
excellent. i’ve done quite a few reviews here..so keep your eyes peeled on the next one…especially the debut of U360 TV video reviews
June 14th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Ohhhh thats right! I killed everyone on my friends list with a score of 250k lol. I love this game.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:42 am
I think my top score is 317k … last night after 2 hours I finally got the facking crown….wooot
I need to finish a couple modes and maybe shoot for the 400k achievement…..this game rocks…period.
Sadly I think after achieving my ummmm achievements….it will lose its luster.
Are there any “bonus achievements or bonus levels” that anyone is aware of?
All I can think about are power pelets….
June 15th, 2007 at 8:06 am
man i don’t think i’ll ever get 400K!