Game Discussion of The Week: Pac-Man

Added.

A true classic, played it a lot in the arcade and on the 7800.

2600 one gathers dust.

Pac-Man is technically one of the most perfect games ever made. It is also one of the most important socioeconomic statements the industry has ever made.

The simplicity of the gameplay, of the game design and even of the computer code gives it that perfection. The game can basically run without GPU power whatsoever.

The artstyle, the catchy beats of music, having actual characters, having personality, having some of the first game cutscenes, appealing to the female crowd, appealing to all kinds of people, introducing people into gaming, are all proof that the accomplishments of this game are unheard of.

You can see it on current gen systems like the PS4 Pro that carry games that require so much GPU power, and yet the Pac-Man arcade version still looks as amazing as if it came out today on 4K TVs. It is that good.

Obviously the 256 level glitch, the ability to find patterns to an extend, at leat on the first part of each level, and the difficulty that only rewarded the best of the best players was overshadowed by Ms. Pac-Man that was more casual and more accessible for those of less skill.

That doesn't take away all the impact of Pac-Man that still lives vividly in the psyque of players around the world from all generations, old and new.

About the socioeconomic statement this is just my personal theory and you won't find it anywhere else on the Internet as far as I know, but I'm going to share it with you.

The way I see it, Pac-Man is the representation of the human condition in the capitalist world, always hungry for more, chasing the crumbs of a prize, maybe a new car, a new house, a new lover, a new job position, trying to ecape through the maze which is life the ghosts that constantly chase them in their mind, which are thoughts of inadequacy, vulnerability, inferiority, and a sense of lack of freedom.

When the goal is reached it gives the person a temporary boost or reward feeling that empowers them to get rid of their demons or ghosts that are contantly chasing them. For a moment they can eat them away, but in no time they are reborn into existence to chase them again, in a cycle that is endless and repeats itself over and over again.

It is brilliant indeed, perfect for the 80s new consumerism lifestyle. When I came into this realization I decided to make it my first PlayStation Platinum, and when I did get it, I felt really satisfied of it, giving me that small boost the game itself preaches is what our human condition has become.

I got the Platinum for Ms. Pac-Man as well because obviously Ms. Pac-Man is awesome too. I feel people like Ms. Pac-Man more for the reasons I stated before, but Pac-Man is definitely a more relevant game overall.

In Namco Museum Battle Collection, there is a Pacman modern mix, which adds new levels with teleports, conveyor belts, elevators and even bosses. It's quite fun and doesn't have the repetion of the original.

Like I said, I love Ms. Pac-Man too. The only thing I dislike is the lack of love for Super Pac-Man which to me make up the perfect trilogy. All other Pac-Man games never felt as authentic as those three arcade ones.

I like me some Pac-Man get bored with it after not too long. I would give it a 4 for personal enjoyment but a 5 for it's effect on the industry.