Amazon.com: If you're still suffering the lingering effects of Pac-Man fever, you'll be excited to hear that Namco's Pac-Man Collection repackages the infectious original with three other Pac-Man-themed games in a new anthology for the Game Boy Advance.
Pac-Man Collection contains the original Pac-Man, plus Pac-Attack, PacMania 3D, and the never-before-seen-out-of-the-arcade Pac-Man Arrangement game. Pac-Man plays like you remember, and like Namco Museums's picture perfect re-creation of Ms. Pac-Man, it features spot-on control, graphics, cartoon cutscenes, sound effects, and, best of all, music from the coin-op (who can forget that opening theme?). As such, it's easily the best of this collection.
PacMania 3D is basically a 3-D version of the original, and is just about as uninspired now as when it came out. Pac-Attack is a cool variation on such puzzlers as Tetris and Columns, and as such it's perfect for handheld gaming. Pac-Man Arrangement is an odd little game that plays much like the original but adds weird power-ups that, for example, make you gigantic.
Because Pac-Man Collection is a perfectly emulated package, there isn't much to gripe about, save that Ms. Pac-Man is a far, far better game than the original, and you'll have to shell out more money if you want that one. But for retro gamers on the go who also want to track down ghosts and eat power pills, this package is sure to sate your hunger. --Andrew S. Bub
Pros:
Perfect graphics and sound
Perfect controls
Pac-Attack is a fun Tetris variant
Cons:
It's missing the best Pac game, Ms. Pac-Man
Pac-Man Arrangement and PacMania 3D aren't really great games
Product Description: If you're still suffering the lingering effects of Pac-Man fever, you'll be excited to hear that Namco's Pac-Man Collection repackages the infectious original with three other Pac-Man-themed games in a new anthology for the Game Boy Advance. Pac-Man Collection contains the original Pac-Man, plus Pac-Attack, PacMania 3D, and the never-before-seen-out-of-the-arcade Pac-Man Arrangement game. Pac-Man plays like you remember, and like Namco Museums's picture perfect re-creation of Ms. Pac-Man, it features spot-on control, graphics, cartoon cutscenes, sound effects, and, best of all, music from the coin-op (who can forget that opening theme?). As such, it's easily the best of this collection. PacMania 3D is basically a 3-D version of the original, and is just about as uninspired now as when it came out. Pac-Attack is a cool variation on such puzzlers as Tetris and Columns, and as such it's perfect for handheld gaming. Pac-Man Arrangement is an odd little game that plays much like the original but adds weird power-ups that, for example, make you gigantic. Because Pac-Man Collection is a perfectly emulated package, there isn't much to gripe about, save that Ms. Pac-Man is a far, far better game than the original, and you'll have to shell out more money if you want that one. But for retro gamers on the go who also want to track down ghosts and eat power pills, this package is sure to sate your hunger.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - COULD HAVE BETTER, BUT IT COMES UP SHORT 7 OUT OF 10
Pac-Man Collection consists of four Pac-Man games: Pac-Man, Pac-Man Arrangement, Pac-Attack, and Pac-Mania. Three of these games are fun, one is not. So I will review each of these games individually to give you a scoop about each game and and a score to go with it.
PAC-MAN- SCORE: 8.25 OUT OF 10
WHAT THE GAME IS: If you're a smart gamer you should already know what this game is about. But if not I'll give you an explanation; you are a yellow round object (sort of shaped like a pizza with a slice cut out) and you go around mazes eating little dots, all while trying to avoid being killed by enemies shaped like germs, unless you get a power up to which then you can eat them.
GRAPHICS: It has an old 8-bit look, but the levels all look the same, and nothing really seems to change when it comes to environments.
MUSIC: The only time music is present is when you start another round, but the small tune is okay.
SOUND: The sounds of Pac-Man eating dots and germs when they get turned blue, the germs moving around, and you dying.
GAMEPLAY: Simple concepts of navigating the mazes and eating all of the dots as fast as you can, controls work perfectly as any version of Pac-Man I've played.
OVERALL: A title that's still a lot of fun despite its release more than twenty years ago, but time has aged its old gameplay concepts and recycled levels, which does damage part of the quality.
PAC-MAN ARRANGEMENT- SCORE: 9 OUT OF 10
WHAT THE GAME IS: It follows the same Pac-Man gameplay concepts, you navigate around mazes, you eat dots and germs when they're in a current state, and you get a lot of points for finding extra items. But this game is more addicting to play, because of new colorful environments, 3D/2D graphics, there are six worlds to beat, the game is more forgiving, and some extra features in the mazes keep things fresh.
GRAPHICS: A nice 3D/2D look, especially for a Game Boy Advance title.
MUSIC: Again, music only plays when you begin a new stage.
SOUND: Again, like the original, Pac-Man eating, germs moving, and you dying.
GAMEPLAY: It's a step above the original when it comes to new things, no level is the same, faster gameplay, six worlds to beat, a boss battle at the end, and prettier graphics.
OVERALL: The game is almost perfect, but it's crippled by an overly forgiving continue system and constant death from germs like in the old Pac-Man game. But it's highly recommendable to anyone who likes Pac-Man.
PAC-ATTACK- SCORE: 4 OUT OF 10
WHAT THE GAME IS: Remember Tetris? It's like that only minus the fun of Tetris and it involves Pac-Man characters and blocks in only one color.
GRAPHICS: Bland and distasteful, especially considering this game was originally on the Super Nintendo, a system with a lot of pretty 2D games.
MUSIC: Unimpressive, and not a whole lot.
SOUND: Pac-Man eating germs when you line up blocks and germs in certain ways.
GAMEPLAY: Boring, the block and germ destroying is very repetitive and not fun, unlike most puzzle games. You have better options for Game Boy Advance than this.
OVERALL: They should have put Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures in here instead of this mess. Even though this game has little in common with Pac-Man's original gameplay, it's a lot more fun than Pac-Attack. And anyway, Pac-Attack has little in common with the other Pac-Man games too.
PAC-MANIA- SCORE: 7.25 OUT OF 10
WHAT THE GAME IS: It follows the steps of the original and Arrangement in gameplay and environments. The gameplay feels a little old, the graphics have a 2D/3D look, and environments are recycled.
GRAPHICS: Similar to Arrangement, only the environments aren't as interesting.
MUSIC: Again, not much like the original and Arrangement.
SOUNDS: Like the original and Arrangement, Pac-Man eating, germs moving, and sounds of death.
GAMEPLAY: Follows the original and Arrangement, but for some reason it feels somewhat boring unlike the latter games because of less interesting environments and the feel a little recycled along with some of the gameplay.
OVERALL: Enjoyable, not the best game in this package, but it does offer a good time for any Pac-Man fans.
This game could have been more, but it came up short due to the lackluster Mania, and awful Attack. Namco should have whipped up more Pac-Man games while they were at it, because the score I gave this game would be improved and it would make it more attractive to buy. But, this package as a whole is worth the investment to relive the old Pac-Man glory days.
Rating: - My Favorite GBA game!
STRENGTHS:
Great graphics in remake of Pac-Man (Pac-Man Arrangement) with new design and new features; Has four games; Continue function in Pac-Man Arrangement makes him basically immortal.
WEAKNESSES:
I wish they had Continue option in other 3 games too; Pac-Attack could be better if it was more like Tetris. I found Pac-Mania quite boring though I like that you can jump over ghosts there; Would be nice if they have included Ms. Pac-Man in this collection.
BRIEF REVIEW:
I think out of four games in this pack only 2 are actually playable for real fun and are indeed time consuming. They are Pac-Man Arrangement and Pac-Man original. Although I like the first game better because of new graphics and many new features.
PAC-MAN ARRANGEMENT:
What I especially like in Pac-Man Arrangement is that it is a great redesign of original Pac-Man with multiple options.
You can start from 2 to 6 lives instantly. Graphics are captivating for a fairly outdated console as GBA is.
It also has new characters such as a cute Rabbit-like-pink ghost who jumps all over the places and Bull-like-red-boxer ghost who may abruptly throw himself against you like a real boxer. There are some more additions which you will love to discover during playback of Pac-Man arrangement.
I like arrow-like points of speed acceleration which allows to use speed burst from one direction of another. Jump-hole innovation is great but in latter worlds they are insanely more than I needed too. Music and graphics are really nice!
Although you can't save the game, I like that you may actually CONTINUE the game from the same spot. However, after you die your score still turns to zero. This means that you're virtually immortal! Thus, using Continue function every time my Pac-Man died I was able to go through all 5 worlds and complete the whole game. It won't take more than 30-45 minutes to complete all 5 worlds though. I wish they had more worlds.
PAC-MAN:
Original Pac-Man comes in full-screen version which is really tiny or you may choose a bigger but scrolling screen version which of course negatively affects on your ability to see the hidden part of the world.
I think they kept original features and didn't add any new because basically a new Pac-Man is reborn in Pac-Man Arrangement. I wish they could at least add Continue option in Pan-Man too, like they did for Pac-Man Arrangement.
PAC-ATTACK:
It is weird attempt to create a tetris-like Pac-Man with geometric figures falling down and with little Pac-Man attached to one of the ends of the figure. As soon as any figure with Pac-Man falls down it eats a path which was previously made out of other Pac-Man-ends of figures. Not only it is worse than Tetris, but it is hard to play and game finishes quickly.
PAC-MANIA:
It is basically a three-dimensional Pac-Man who also jumps.
Other than that I didn't find it exciting.
CONCLUSION:
I think this game pack is probably one of the best buys out of all GBA games. Especially in terms of bringing you endless fun per spent dollar. It worth every spent penny.
Would be nice if in Pac-Man Arrangement there was a jump over ghosts function too. Game developers could develop Pac-Attack and Pac-Mania in a much better and more playable way and include Ms. Pac-Man in this collection.
I would rate Pac-Man Arrangement as the best innovative game out of these 4-pack game collection. I highly recommend to purchase this game pack because you won't be disappointed. I found a great deal and bought 3 of these games - one for myself, the second for my spouse and the third as a spare game. :)
Rating: - Very good
My mom is crazy about this games, she is the one that is playing it!! Maybe because she used to play them long, long time ago...NICOLE REY
Rating: - Fun for a while
My 8 year old son begged for this game after playing it at Target. He lost interest in it pretty quickly. It's nostalgic, but lacks the fancy graphics and intensity of the games of today. It's probably more fun for those of us who remember playing PacMan in the arcades.
Rating: - Good Collection, but Could be Better...
NAMCO has brought their classic arcade game PACMAN to the GBA, and it seems to be a bit lost in translation.
PACMAN (2.5/5)
The classic arcade game with the originol graphics. It breaks my heart to rate this game 2.5 stars, but it was intended for a larger screen original
PACMAN ARRANGEMENT (3/5)
The game by itself would deseve four stars (again, there is no saving) but it is almost identical to the originol PACMAN game. The only real difference is that it has brighter graphics and better music, and these aspects don't really add any enjoyment to the game.
PACMANIA (3/5)
Like PACMAN ARRANGEMENT, this is extremely simalir to the originol arcade game only with better sounds and graphics. You can use the A and B buttons to jump over the ghosts which makes the game easier than it all ready is. Again, I am puzzled by the fact you can't save your scores.
PAC-ATTACK (5/5)
This is definately the best game in the collection. Like TETRIS, there are blocks falling from the sky that need to be arranged, but here some of the blocks contain a ghost. If you arrange the ghosts in the right order, you are allowed to eat them. The game-play is addictive and challenging. in fact, the game is so much fun I would buy PAC MAN COLLECTION just to have it in my GBA library.
Overall, this is a flawed but enjoyable collection of games
- My Favorite GBA game!
- Good Collection, but Could be Better...
