Pac-Man 25th Anniversary (game)

Pac-Man 25th Anniversary is an arcade multi-game compilation, developed by Cosmodog and released by Namco-America in 2004. The compilation features the games Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, and Galaga, and was released for the 25th anniversary of Pac-Man.

The Pac-Man 25th Anniversary machine is connected to a series of Pac-Man anniversary machines, which were predominantly designed for the U.S. market. It is the successor to Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga, and would be followed by Pac-Man's Arcade Party in 2009.

Gameplay[]

In terms of gameplay, Pac-Man 25th Anniversary is nearly identical to the previously-released Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga machine; with the exception of Pac-Man being unlocked by default, with a modified selection menu. Each game can be set (by the arcade operator) to run in its standard mode or its "speed-up chip" mode by default; the other speed setting being accessible by a joystick code.

The Pac-Man 25th Anniversary machine features a "continue" option upon getting a game over, in which the player can insert another quarter to resume their game (while continuing off of their high score). This feature can also be disabled by the arcade operator. High scores appear to be saved into the machine's memory, even if the cabinet is unplugged or turned off.

Codes[]

• Speed adjuster: Enter Left, Right, Left, Right, Up, Up, Up, Fire. The speed will be changed to slow or fast (speed-up chip), depending on what mode is already set by default.

Machine models[]

Four different Pac-Man 25th Anniversary machine models are known to have been produced, including:

• Original model (2004): uses a near-identical form factor to the original Bally Midway cabinets.
• "Cabaret" model (2005): uses a smaller cabinet design (standing approx. 8.5" shorter) with a sunken-in marquee. Only released as a "home version" model without a coin slot; the coin door is merely a flat sticker with no functionality.
• "Cocktail" model (2006): a sit-down cocktail table model, featuring two sets of joysticks on opposite sides. Only released as a "home version" model.
• "Bartop" model (2007): A smaller tabletop variant. Only released as a "home version" model.

Trivia[]

• The code used to unlock Pac-Man in Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga (Up, Up, Up, Down, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left) is still present in Pac-Man 25th Anniversary, but has no functionality outside of playing a sound effect.
• Several press events (including E3 2010) featured Pac-Man 25th Anniversary machines rebranded with the Pac-Man 30th Anniversary logo. This machine variant was never utilized outside of these events, and it is unknown if it was intended to have a proper release.^[1]

Gallery[]

Pac-Man 25th Anniversary logo.

References[]