When Pac-Man first burst onto the scene in 1980, Namco didn’t just release a game, they introduced a cultural icon that would define arcade gaming for generations. Designed by Toru Iwatani to appeal to everyone (not just war-hungry teens), Pac-Man’s iconic puck-shaped character gobbled its way through colorful mazes, dodging four persistent ghost enemies with distinct personalities: Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde.
At its core, this maze chase arcade game is deceptively simple: eat every dot, avoid ghosts, grab power pellets, and turn the tables to gobble your ghostly pursuers for bonus points. But beneath the cheerful 2D graphic design and catchy jingles lies a perfectly tuned tension that still holds up today.
From the buzzing cabinets of smoky arcades to modern mobile updates with new mazes, power-ups, and weekly tournament modes, Bandai Namco's Pac-Man remains as playable as ever. Whether you're chasing high scores or just vibing to its artwork in the Museum of Pop Culture, it's no secret why Pac-Man sits atop the pantheon of video game characters.
Over 40 years later, this legendary franchise continues to prove one thing: few games can match the pure, enduring popularity of the original game.
Developer
Bandai Namco
Platform
Web browser
How to Play Pac-Man
Use the arrow keys to move
