Pac-Man World
Pac-Man Worldby Namco
Platform: PlayStation
ESRB Rating: Everyone
ASIN: B00000K1VK
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Editorial Review: In the '80s, arcade favorite Pac-Man gobbled up quarters at the local arcade. This classic returns in a new 3-D version that places Pac-Man on a quest to rescue his friends while exploring multiple new gaming environments. At last, Pac-Man can explore beyond the walls of the claustrophobic maze that characterized the original. As in the arcade version, Pac-Man must eat all of the onscreen pellets to score points and advance, while avoiding the menacing ghosts Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde. You can turn the tables on those fast-moving pests by snatching a power pill, which allows you to gobble up the ghosts for bonus points. Pac-Man can also bounce over enemies while on his quest.
Classic gaming fans will appreciate the familiar retro elements of Pac-Man World, which generously includes a version of the original arcade game. However, this title may also alienate purists of the thumb-numbing original. Like it or not, one of the all-time greatest video game mascots has made the leap from 2-D platform king to 3-D contender. --Brett Atwood
Pros:
Classic arcade action
Kid-friendly gameplay
Cons:
Not for purist fans of the original arcade classic
GameSpot Review: It's been two and a half years since Pac-Man World first popped its head up at the 1997 E3 in Atlanta. At the time, it looked like an attempt by the American development team to "pull a Mario" on its legendary mascot. Even two years ago, the game didn't really look all that great, and as a result, the original development team was pulled and, after much hemming and hawing, work resumed on the project.
It has now been 20 years since the "little yellow dot that could" emerged on the video-game map, and much has happened since then. Gameplay mechanics can no longer rely on such simple control schemes, and Namco has had its hands full trying to inaugurate its armless/legless character into the digital age. The good news is that whatever Namco has done to the pill popper known as Pac-Man, the current Pac-Man World has turned out great. Staying true to the format, it is a title full of charm, ingenuity, and playability.
While this is no Mario 64 or Sonic Adventure, Pac-Man World could at least be described as Klonoa-lite. It seems as if Pac-Man's mortal enemy, Toc-Man, has kidnapped Ms. Pac Man, Pac Jr., Baby Pac, Professor Pac, Pooka (from Dig-Dug) and Chomp Chomp the dog-pac. (Tupac was, apparently, nowhere to be found.) Naturally, it is up to Pac-Man to find and rescue his friends from Toc-Man's hiding spots, which include desert islands, deep-space outposts, and mine shafts. While not in possession of the vast array of moves that his bunny-like counterpart possesses, Pac-Man has learned a few things along the way. As befits any mascot worth his salt, a butt-bounce has been implemented to take care of opening chests and dispatching enemies of a nonghostly nature. He also has a power shot (which uses energy) an ultra-butt-bounce, and, of course, the power pellet, which he will use to chomp on Inky, Blinky, Pinky, and Clyde.
Throughout the game, there is a large number of puzzles for you to find; you use the ol' "find the key, open the door" techniques to achieve your goal. Along the way, you will encounter enemies to vanquish, b-doing platforms to launch yourself to spots too high to reach with a normal jump. You must find buttons and jump on them to open doors that may hold the keys you'll need to open other doors. Pac-Man also has a spin-roll move he can use to zip up hills he cannot climb, and a rev-run that generates power to propeller-platforms scattered around the game. While some aspects of Pac-Man World could be viewed as derivative, there are definitely moments that Pac-Man can call his own. While this may seem fairly standard, and it is, the game is very well designed, and the graphics are rich and convincing. The backgrounds look like a cross between Klonoa's and Crash Bandicoot's, which is a very good thing. In addition to that, Pac-Man himself has a large variety of facial expressions, making him practically irresistible. He has facial expressions for every activity - swimming, walking, running, or just standing around. He is very well animated (for a round yellow man-thing, that is) and the control is top-notch. The challenges in the game boast a fair and gradual learning curve. Should you find certain Galaxian doors, you will be transported to bonus levels that are 3D versions of old-school Pac-Man maps, where you eat dots and try to chomp the ghosts. As you discover these secret levels, you will unlock them in the puzzle-mode, which features more than 30 mazes. The original Pac-Man game - just like the kind found in the Namco Museum games - is included in its entirety, as well. Between these two options and the twenty-plus levels in the platforming game, there is more replay value here than one might have expected from a game of such humble origins.
With all the crappy "Xtreme" sports games flooding the market, along with uninspired first-person shooters, racing games, and rip-off platformers, it's encouraging to see one of the originators come back in style. While the simple gameplay and cutesy premise may turn off some so-called "hard-core gamers," anyone with an open mind would do well to pick up the Pacster's newest offering. Basically an unpretentious offering that hold its own as a platformer, Pac-Man World is a fun little game that goes beyond mere regurgitation. This one is worthy of anyone's library. Don't call it a comeback. --James Mielke
From the Manufacturer: Pac is back like you've never seen him before! Rescuing imprisoned friends is just the beginning of the challenges facing Pac-Man in this all 3D adventure. What dangers await our dot-chomping hero as he eats, bounces, swims, and jumps through factory, funhouse, space, pirate, mansion levels, and more? Pac-Man World features an all new 3D Pac-Man action platform adventure, plus an all new 3D maze mode and the original classic Pac-Man arcade game! But don't worry, we've also kept all of the great fun from your favorite classic Pac-Man games, including mazes, power pellets, chomping, ghost-chasing, and even the original Pac-Man arcade game!
Customer Reviews:
Cheese, December 18, 2002
Reviewer: Alex Worden from San Francisco, CA United States
When pacman opens his mouth, he looks like a piece of cheese.
I like cheese.
(That is my lameo review - but this game is actually cool)
Really Fun!..., July 27, 2002
Reviewer: mystic_57 from Gruetli-Laager,TN
I just rented this game last night and played it for hours. I fell in love with it. I love puzzles so the mazes are great and for the ones who love the old pacman its got that too! It has awesome 3D verison of the game as well. I like the challange of finguring out where the fruit is and trying to get to it! I really like this game. I just ordered it today, can't wait to get it!!
Pac Man is fun!, July 11, 2002
Reviewer: Lori from Alberta, Canada
This game is really fun. The levals arn't super easy or super hard. If you have a game shark, there is good codes, too. I think people of all ages would like it.
A GREAT GAME!!!, March 17, 2002
Reviewer: A 12-year old gamer
This game is so great!All of the mazes and levels are so fun! you could play them over and over again. The graphics are great and you can see where you are going. The thing I most love about this game is that they have the old classic version which is fun and really great. I strongly recommend this game for anybody. You too mom's and dad's.
By: 2 gamers 9 and 12
just like the old version, March 10, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer from Seattle, WA USA
I gave this to a friend who loved Pac Man. She really enjoyed it. Her only critism was that the controls were hard to work (like the original). But, she says it's fun and worth the price if you're a Pac Man fan.
Very fun, but kind of short, August 6, 2001
Reviewer: dan203 from Carson City, NV USA
This game was a lot of fun! The graphics were cool, the controls were tight, the camera didn't misbehave much and it was an overall joy to play. My only complaint, and the reason for the 4 stars, is that it was just too short. With only 15 levels and 6 bosses I beat the whole game in one weekend,(10-12 hours) so I'm not sure it's worth recommending a purchase. However if you're a huge Pac fan, or you're a little less experienced with these platformer type games then I think you'll find a highly enjoyable game for a reasonable price.
Pac-Man is back, June 13, 2001
Reviewer: A 12-year old gamer from Milwaukee, WI USA
It is Pac-Man's 20th Anniversary. When he goes to the party he finds Ms. Pac-Man,Pac Jr.,Baby Pac,Professor Pac,Pooka,and Chomp-Chomp, the dog, gone. Now Pac-Man still collects dots and fruit but he must also swim,jump, and roll up high cliffs. You can also play classic Pac-Man, or play in Maze Mode. ( This is like classic Pac-Man but it is 3-D.) This game will keep you playing for hours.
Alot of fun, January 19, 2001
Reviewer: A gamer from East Meadow, NY United States
I grew up playing Pacman, so when I found out they had a 20th anniversary edition, I had to get it. Not only does it have the original game which I like, it has a little "Super Marioesque" quest that Pacman follows to save his Pac-family. It also has different 3D pacman boards which are also fun to play. Fun for the kids.
Excellent, all around game!, December 27, 2000
Reviewer: Angela Sue Dobbs from Newton, Iowa USA
This is probably one of the best games I have played on any system. The controls are great, just the right amount of difficulty, outstanding graphics and sound, and just plain fun. Highly recommended for any gamer!
I LOVE this game!, November 25, 2000
Reviewer: Hyacinth Tucker from Cincinnati, Ohio
I was a huge fan of the original, though, let's face it, you can only work so many mazes before it gets old. This is a new and rather enjoyable update, though if you're very much into the original maze game, it's got that too. Pac-Man gets a great new treatment, complete with plot: it's his 20th anniversary, and everybody he cares about has been stolen! Don't you just hate when that happens? So it's up to Pac-Man (and you, of course), to brave various worlds and get all of your friends and family back from the evil clutches of Toc-Man, a delusional metallic monster who thinks himself the "real" Pac-Man. Each area has a theme: pirates, ruins, space, funhouse, factory, and mansion. Each level has mini mazes and larger three-dimensional mazes. I haven't finished it yet, as the structure of the game play becomes more difficult as you progress, and I'm still working my way through some of them. The upside is that the game opens up more than one area at a time, so when you get frustrated with one area, you can go play somewhere else for a while. The other great thing is that every time you unlock and complete a 3-d level maze, it opens another maze in the maze mode, and enables you to complete the 36 maze marathon. Sounds complicated, but is actually quite simple. If you liked the original Pac-Man, and you're okay with change, you'll really enjoy this.