XBLA - Pac-Man Gets New Content and HD Looks After 26 Years!

After 26 years of focusing on other kinds of games (next-gen games recently), Namco Bandai (then it was just Namco Ltd.) has released the classic 2 dimensional Pac-Man, with all new mazes, available on Microsoft's Xbox 360, downloadable through the console's Internet service, Xbox Live Arcade.

"'Pac-Man' was the game that ignited the world's passion for video games, with every member of the family hooked on avoiding Clyde and eating up all the Power Pellets," said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of Global Marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "It is a tremendous honor that NAMCO BANDAI and Toru Iwatani are going to use the power of the Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE Arcade platform to deliver the next evolution of 'Pac-Man' to the world."

"Pac-Man Championship Edition" is the same game played in arcades (in the '80s) but has been updated with new features, sure to capture the hearts of fans once more. It includes new mazes that dynamically change shape during gameplay, six new timed game modes, new soundtracks and high-definition visuals. Here are all the details:

￭ Classic 2-D "Pac-Man" presentation with a new, modern look in HD

￭ Six new, timed game modes:

- The Championship Mode. This is the main game mode designed by NAMCO BANDAI Games and Iwatani specifically for the championship round of the Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship. This mode - as well as all others within the "Pac-Man Championship Edition" - features redesigned mazes with wide maze walls and a widescreen configuration to better enable high-speed game play. Timed limit of five minutes.

- Challenge Mode 1 (Patience and Reward Course). This mode is an evolution of the Championship Mode. Patience mazes strategically offer fewer Power Pellets and Reward mazes provide a large number of Power Pellets - providing unique challenges and rewards for the player. Timed limit of 10 minutes.

- Challenge Mode 2 (The Darkness Course). In this mode, only the area directly around Pac-Man and the Ghosts is visible and the maze walls are completely hidden. Timed limit of 10 minutes.

- Extra Mode 1 (The Freeway Course). An extremely high-speed mode for advanced players, this mode features warp-speed Pac-Man and Ghosts and plenty of tunnels. Timed limit of five minutes.

- Extra Mode 2 (The Manhattan Course). A mode inspired by the streets of Manhattan - the home for the first-ever Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship. Timed limit of five minutes.

- Extra Mode 3 (The Overall Course). A mix of all other modes resulting in extreme mazes for the most devout Pac-Man fans. Timed limit of 10 minutes.


The game has been rated "E" for everyone (of course...), with Xbox LIVE leaderboards, achievements and gamerscore and is now available for download over at XBLA, if you have the necessary 800 MS Points to spare. Have fun!