Software:Pac-Man 256

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Pac-Man 256
Pac-Man 256 title card.png
Title card
Developer(s)3 Sprockets
Bandai Namco Studios Vancouver
Hipster Whale
Publisher(s)Bandai Namco Entertainment
SeriesPac-Man
EngineUnity
Platform(s)Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, Android TV
ReleaseiOS, Android
August 20, 2015
Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
June 21, 2016
Genre(s)Endless runner
Mode(s)Single-player, multi-player

Pac-Man 256 is an endless runner video game developed by Hipster Whale and 3 Sprockets and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game is part of the Pac-Man series and is inspired by the original Pac-Man game's infamous Level 256 glitch. The game was originally released as a free-to-play title for iOS and Android on August 20, 2015. In June 21, 2016, Bandai Namco Studios Vancouver released a version of the game for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC (Windows, macOS, Linux), featuring additional features like multiplayer for up to 4 players, a new power-up, and no longer having to wait a certain amount of time to get power-ups, and instead having to eat a number of Pac-Dots. [1]

Gameplay

Pac-Man 256 sees the players take control of Pac-Man as he continues across an endless maze, collecting dots and power-ups while avoiding enemy ghosts. The game ends if Pac-Man comes into contact with a ghost or falls behind and is consumed by a chasing glitch at the bottom of the maze. Eating 256 dots in a row awards the player a blast that clears all on-screen enemies.[2] Along with power pellets, which enable Pac-Man to eat ghosts, Pac-Man can equip and obtain various power-ups such as lasers, tornadoes, and clones to attack the ghosts, as well as collect score-multiplying fruit. Up to three power-ups can be equipped. Power-ups are unlocked by waiting 24 hours after unlocking a power-up. In the console and PC versions, they are unlocked by eating a specified number of Pac-Dots.[3]

Prior to version 2.0, the game featured a "credit" system, which would require one credit to be used if a game was played with power-ups equipped or the player wished to revive Pac-Man. Version 2.0 replaced the Credits with Coins, which are obtained by clearing missions, collecting them on the maze or by viewing sponsored videos, which can be used to upgrade power-ups, unlock themes (in the mobile version), or revive Pac-Man.[4]

There are also themes which change the look of the game, that can be purchased with large amounts of Coins or by spending real money.[5] In the console and PC versions, all themes are unlocked by default.

The console and PC versions of the game adds an exclusive cooperative multiplayer game mode, where up to four players work together to set the highest score possible. The appearance of each Pac-Man can be customized. Like the main game, the goal is for every player to get as far as possible and contribute to the group score as much as possible. If a player is caught by a ghost, a player power-up appears, which revives that player. The game ends once the last player still in play dies, be it by getting caught by a ghost or consumed by the glitch.[6]

Each ghost has their own specific behavior: Blinky (red) actively chases Pac-Man, Pinky (pink) rushes forward whenever Pac-Man enters her sight, Inky (cyan) loops around specific areas, Clyde (orange) travels downwards while changing to Pac-Man's nearest direction, Sue (purple) slowly moves horizontally towards Pac-Man's direction in groups of three, Funky (green) roams around in a horizontal line in groups of four, Spunky (gray) sleeps in a spot, but awakens and chases Pac-Man if he gets near, and a new ghost named Glitchy has the ability to teleport while chasing Pac-Man.[7][8]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(iOS) 88/100[9]
(PS4) 79/100[10]
(XONE) 80/100[11]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid7/10[13]
Pocket Gamer4.5/5 stars[15]
Push Square7/10 stars[12]
USgamer4/5[14]

Pac-Man 256 received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.

Legacy

The console version of Pac-Man 256 is included in the compilation title Pac-Man Museum +, released in 2022. It would also mark the first time the game was ported to Nintendo Switch.

Awards

Pac-Man 256 was nominated for Best Mobile/Handheld Game at The Game Awards 2015, but lost to Lara Croft Go. It was also nominated for Mobile Game of the Year at the 19th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, but was ultimately awarded to Fallout Shelter.

List of awards and nominations
Award Category Result Ref.
The Game Awards 2015 Best Mobile/Handheld Game Nominated [16]
19th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Mobile Game of the Year Nominated [17]

See also

References

  1. Matulef, Jeffery (May 24, 2016). "Pac-Man 256 is coming to consoles and PC in June". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-05-24-pac-man-256-is-coming-to-consoles-and-pc-in-june. 
  2. "Pac-Man 256 iOS Game Review" (in en-US). September 11, 2015. http://ifanzine.com/pac-man-256-review/. 
  3. "'Pac-Man 256' Review - Teaching an Old Pac-Man New Tricks". 2015-08-19. http://toucharcade.com/2015/08/19/pac-man-256-review/. 
  4. Hamilton, Kirk (August 21, 2015). "Pac-Man 256 Is Endless Pac-Man With A Fun, Glitchy Twist". http://kotaku.com/endless-pac-man-is-really-fun-even-though-you-can-neve-1725723440. 
  5. "Pac-Man 256 Review -- Pac is Back". 2016-06-24. http://www.dualshockers.com/2016/06/24/pac-man-256-review-pac-is-back/. 
  6. "Pac-Man 256 review: Team up with friends in this clever new Pac-Man for Xbox One and PC". Windows Central. http://www.windowscentral.com/pac-man-256-review. 
  7. "PAC-MAN 256 - Endless Arcade Maze, Fruits and Ghosts". Appgamer. October 12, 2015. http://www.appgamer.com/pac-man256/strategy-guide/fruits-and-ghosts. 
  8. "Pac-Man 256: Score 10,000 or more with these tips, tricks, and power chains". iMore. http://www.imore.com/pac-man-256-score-10000-or-more-these-tips-tricks-and-power-chains. 
  9. "Pac-Man 256: Endless Arcade Maze for iOS Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/pac-man-256/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. Retrieved 2019-10-02. 
  10. "Pac-Man 256 for PlayStation 4 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/pac-man-256/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4. Retrieved 2019-10-02. 
  11. "Pac-Man 256 for Xbox One Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/pac-man-256/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one. Retrieved 2019-10-02. 
  12. Tailby, Stephen (26 June 2016). "Pac-Man 256 Review (PS4)". https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/pac-man_256. 
  13. Carter, Chris (24 June 2016). "Review: Pac-Man 256". https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-pac-man-256/. 
  14. Rignall, Jaz (24 June 2016). "Pac-Man 256 PS4 Review: Endless Muncher". https://www.usgamer.net/articles/pac-man-256-ps4-review. 
  15. Grannell, Craig (21 August 2015). "Pac-Man 256 - Endlessly replayable dot-munching". https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/067128/pac-man-256-endlessly-replayable-dot-munching/. 
  16. "Nominees | The Game Awards 2015". Ola Balola. November 12, 2015. http://thegameawards.com/nominees/. 
  17. "2016 Awards Category Details Mobile Game of the Year". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2016&idGameAwardType=75. 

External links