For several years now, the fluffily-named Hamster Corporation have been bringing arcade classics from yesteryear onto modern systems (with all the comforts and blatant cheating methods that entails) via their Arcade Archives series.
Recently, I waxed lyrical about the Archives when they added Namco’s Dragon Buster, the influential quarter-swallowing RPG, to the lineup; and while the latest arrival isn’t quite up to the same standard in terms of scope and scale, few could deny its cultural significance. Plus the fact that it’s just plain fun.
I speak, naturally, of Super Pac-Man (stylized as SUPER PAC-MAN in official marketing materials, but that seems a bit rude and shouty, doesn’t it). Yep, the seminal cherry-chasin’ dot-muncher has chomped his way into Arcade Archives, and as NintendoLife reports, it’s available tomorrow for $7.99. Running the math, that’s about 32 plays of the arcade version without accounting for inflation, so if you’re a Pac addict, it’s more than worth your time n’ money.
What is Super Pac-Man?
The equally shouty press release reads as follows: “SUPER PAC-MAN” is an action game released by NAMCO in 1982. It’s an additional power-up to NAMCO’s flagship title, “PAC-MAN”! Eat SUPER POWER PELLETS to become invincible and get a speed boost! Eat a POWER PELLET after that and become SUPER PAC-MAN to take out all the ghosts at once!” And breathe. Who wrote this, Brian Blessed?
“It’ll have all of the usual Hamster benefits,” states the report, “but it’s worth bearing in mind that this may not be the most economical way to play it on Switch.” They’re right, you know: a game entitled Pac-Man Museum is due out on Nintendo’s platform this year, and it’ll include 14 of the yellow fellow’s adventures – including this one. Up to you whether you fancy double dipping.
Either way, it certainly is nice to see all these arcade classics continue to be given new leases of life like this. If only they’d reopen my local one too. I miss the sticky joysticks and musty urine smell. Uniquely piquant.
Will you be picking this game up? Let us know!
Via, NintendoLife.
