Can you believe it’s been 45 years since the little yellow chomper first appeared in arcades? Today, May 22nd, 2025, is a big day for gaming fans because it’s Pac-Man 45th anniversary! Pac-Man started as a simple arcade game but became one of the most famous video game characters ever. Bandai Namco Entertainment is celebrating all year with special events and museum exhibits.
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Pac-Man 45th Anniversary Celebration
Back in 1980, Pac-Man’s creator, Toru Iwatani, began with an idea inspired by a pizza slice. Since then, it’s sold nearly 48 million copies worldwide and made over $14 billion. This is the game that started the template for maze games, introduced the first gaming mascot, and generated over $1 billion in its first few years.
The cultural impact of Pac-Man is endless. These games represent years and years of creativity, showing that great game design never goes out of style. It also proves that video games could be enjoyed by everyone, not just serious gamers.
This year’s celebration is massive. You can visit special Pac-Man exhibits at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle and the Great Park Gallery in Irvine, California. There is even a life-sized Pac-Man experience called “Pac-Man Live Experience” in Manchester, England, where you can actually walk through the maze yourself. But the best way to celebrate? Playing some of the best Pac-Man games ever made!
5 Best Pac-Man Games Ever Made
If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to celebrate at home, there’s no better way than playing some of the best Pac-Man games ever made. Here are the top 5 games that show why this yellow hero has stayed popular for 45 years.
1. Pac-Man Championship Edition DX (2010)
This game takes everything people loved about the original Pac-Man and makes it even better. The mazes change as you play, opening new paths and keeping you on your toes. The ghost trains that form behind you can turn the game into a fast-paced thrill. It feels like the classic version got a huge upgrade. Critics gave it a high score of 93, and it makes sense because this shows that old-school gameplay can still be a lot of fun.
2. Pac-Man 256 (2015)
Named after the famous glitch level from the original game, this version takes Pac-Man in a totally new direction. It’s an endless runner where you keep moving up through a never-ending maze while the bottom gets eaten away by glitchy pixels. It’s great for mobile play, and it’s very addictive.
3. Pac-Man World (1999)
Bandai Namco’s first attempt at bringing Pac-Man into 3D totally worked. This PlayStation game mixes the classic dot-eating with jumping around, bouncing off stuff, and exploring bright, fun levels. The soundtrack is also absolutely fantastic. Some fans even say it is one of the best game soundtracks ever made. A few levels make you go back and retrace your steps, but the creative level design and smooth controls make it feel like a really great upgrade from the old Pac-Man.
4. Pac-Man vs. (2003)
The Pac-Man vs. completely flipped the Pac-Man formula by making it an asymmetrical multiplayer game. One player plays as Pac-Man using a Game Boy Advance, while up to three other players can play as the ghosts on the TV screen. It was a brilliant mode, and the gameplay actually created hilarious moments, where the ghost players have to work together to corner Pac-Man. This concept was so good that later on, Nintendo brought it back on the Switch, making it much easier to play with friends.
5. Pac-Man World 2 (2002)
The sequel to Pac-Man World took the 3D gameplay up a notch with better level design and more fun boss battles. It feels more polished than the earlier games but still keeps that classic Pac-Man charm. New power-ups and abilities keep things interesting, and the difficulty is just right for players of all ages. It’s challenging without being frustrating.
So that is the list of the best Pac-Man games to play while celebrating its 45th Anniversary. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been playing Pac-Man for years or are just getting into it; these games show exactly why he’s been a favorite for nearly 45 years. So grab a controller, pick your favorite Pac-Man game, and start playing. It’s not every day a video game icon turns 45 and still feels this fun to play.
