GAME CLEAR No. 92 -- Pac-Man Arrangement (1996)

Pac-Man Arrangement (1996, Arcade)

Compilation: Pac-Man Museum+ (2022, Multiplatform)
Original Developer: Namco
Original Publisher: Namco
Compilation Developer: Now Production
Compilation Publisher: Bandai Namco
Clear Platform: PlayStation 5
Clear Date: 5/30/22

Even though I liked the PSP game also called Pac-Man Arrangement, I gotta admit this is the real shit.

Featuring bumpin’ beats, beautiful graphics, interesting stages, an annoying possessor ghost, and the cutest sprite-based version of Pac-Man I’m aware of (click the link for even more of my words), this game slaps. It’s maybe the ultimate version of maze-based Pac-Manning, certainly among the coin-ops.

I actually kind of grew up with this game, as it was also on a Pac-Man compilation I had on Game Boy Advance as a youth. If memory serves that version didn’t have infinite continues, though, so I don’t think I ever saw it all the way through. It also didn’t have co-op, making it even less of an exciting proposition than this version. Nevertheless, I have fond memories of staying up after my bedtime to get a few rounds in, and I’m so pleased to have the full version at last.

I highly recommend trying this one out either by way of this compilation or MAME or whatever floats your boat. It’s just a beautiful, thrilling remix of a classic that plays phenomenally. Alone or with a friend, for a few minutes or all the way through the final boss, you just can’t go wrong with Pac-Man Arrangement.