Official Score
Overall - 75%
75%
While there are some notable omissions and questionable additions in this collection, PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ is just the thing for those looking for a trip down memory lane.
Everybody’s favorite yellow circle is back for a celebration of all-things Pac with the release of Now Production and Bandai Namco’s PAC-MAN MUSEUM+. 14 titles are available in this collection – should players make another trip down memory lane, or does this title induce a bad case of Pac-Man fever?
PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ Review
Whether you’re a seasoned arcade veteran or a newcomer to the series, PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ has got all bases covered. Featuring PAC-MAN, SUPER PAC-MAN, PAC & PAL, PAC-LAND, PAC-MANIA, PAC-ATTACK, PAC-IN-TIME, PAC-MAN ARRANGEMENT (Arcade Ver.), PAC-MAN ARRANGEMENT (CS Ver.), PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION, PAC Motos, PAC’N ROLL REMIX, PAC-MAN BATTLE ROYALE, and PAC-MAN 256 (phew), there’s a healthy amount of variety among its 14 titles.
However, this collection doesn’t just let you walk up to an arcade machine and play it – that’s not how it works! Rather, one needs to use a coin to credit feed the machine – just like old times. There are some consumer games that you can just walk up to and play, but the giant stand-up games require your hard-earned dough.
PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ won’t bleed you dry, however (unless you want it to); one can earn coins by playing each of the titles. It’s not too much of an endeavor; games like the OG Pac-Man can rack up a fair amount of time by just playing normally. Note that a good amount of titles need to be unlocked as well, but your arcade can be fleshed out before too long by playing most titles a paltry two times.
Said arcade serves as the hub of PAC-MAN MUSEUM+. Each of the arcade machines stands proudly on display, but there’s a number of other things to keep one busy. A jukebox with unlockable tunes will have you rocking out, while coins can be spent on the Gashapon system to unlock a number of random goodies. One can also decorate things to their liking; just the thing for those who have their TVs tuned into HGTV 24/7.
But here’s the kicker: How do these games play? The suite of titles runs the gamut; PAC-MAN is still as timeless as ever, PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION provides a technicolor frenzy, and PAC-MAN BATTLE ROYALE is just the title to break out at your next shindig. However, there’s some stinkers in the lot; the side-scrolling PAC-LAND should have stayed a stage in Super Smash Bros., while PAC’N ROLL REMIX feels awkward. There’s also some omissions with Ms. Pac-Man not joining the fray.
Rounding out PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ are the oh-so-important leaderboards, in-game achievements for reaching point and stage milestones, and a CRT filter. One could have gone whole-hog and added MAME-worthy options, but what is here gets the job done.
While there are some notable omissions and questionable additions in this collection, PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ is just the thing for those looking for a trip down memory lane.
