Arcade / Arcade - Pac-Man · 1982
Pac-Man
Published by Atari · Developed by Roklan
atarimania.com — atari-400-800-xl-xe-games-pac-man-3857
Information
- Genre
- Arcade - Pac-Man
- Language
- Machine Language
- Controls
- Joystick
- Players
- 1, 2 (alt.)
- Programmer(s)
- Hellesen, Joe
- Year
- 1982
- Publisher
- Atari
- Developer
- Roklan
- Country
- USA
- License
- Commercial
- Medium
- Cartridge
- Rarity
- 1
- Serial
- CXL4022 / RX8022
Votes / Statistics
Rating: 7.6/10 · Votes: 455 · Downloads: 16,628 · Hits: 69,790
Screenshots (3)
Cover Art (7)
Instructions (6)
Book / Magazine Reviews (1)
Electronic Games · January, 1983
The computer version of the world's most popular maze-chase is bound to get a warmer reception from rank and file gamers than the videogame cartridge which preceded it to market. Not only is the play-action good, highlighted by a reasonable responsiveness to manipulation of the joystick, but the on-screen layout is much more similar to the pay-for-play machine. The elements that made the coin-op a classic are present in this 400/800 ROM cartridge, including multiple levels of difficulty, a variety of bonus prizes that rise in value as play continues, and differentiation among the four goblins who chase Pac-Man through the maze.
The publisher has responded to the challenge of producing a set of useful instructions for this widely known game. The full-color, glossy rules booklet which accompanies the cartridge is definitely one of the most attractive ever produced for a home game, and it has a lot of good bits of advice for Pac-Maniacs. The eight-page folder might not be the best approach for a totally unfamiliar title but it works perfectly for this game.
Of particular help in formulating strategy is the page headed "Pac-Man Experts Corner". Here, in chart form, is everything the thinking arcader needs to know about the various playfields that comprise the program for this "chase and be chased" contest. Shown is a picture of the bonus nugget which appears on each playfield, the value of the nugget in question, speed ratings for Pac-Man, Blinky (the fastest) and the rest of the goblins, the amount of time the goblins stay blue after Pac-Man chomps one of each maze's four power pills and the number of blinks a blue goblin makes before turning its normal color. A player armed with such data stands a much better chance of using his or her three Pac-lives more intelligently than arcaders who blunder blindly around the labyrinth.
The 400/800 Pac-Man still lacks a few of the frills of the original but the essence of the gobble game comes through in fine shape.
Comments (14)
dtm-artist — 13 Feb 2025
Just so everybody knows: This is a port of the superior Atari 5200 version of Pac-Man.
dtm-artist — 16 Mar 2024
While the more recent Pac-Man Arcade will receive all the attention, the original Atari 8-bit rendition is excellent and captures the spirit of the arcade wonderfully. The POKEY music is wonderfully smooth and rich, the gameplay is swift and responsive, and the ability to begin at any stage is more than welcome. Compared to the horrible 2600 Pac-Man, this home computer version is like manna from Heaven.
Gildahl — 9 Jun 2022
First played this on my friend's brand new Atari 400 on a B&W TV, and was stunned that a home version could look this authentic. Sound and gameplay was just really well done. This along with Star Raiders--the other game he had that evening--completely sold me on the power of Atari 8-bit computers.
Martin — 29 Mar 2019
absolutely excellent conversion; I played the arcade while hanging out with my pals in mid-80's Poland and played the same at home on my Atari - pure bliss!
Nick Bensema — 9 Sept 2016
In both of the screenshots, the energizers and "1UP" caption are both blinked off.
eppy2000 — 4 Jun 2015
Classic arcade game, an excellent home conversion. Yes, some compromises had to be made, but it's still a good effort. I was miffed that a clone version made for the C-64 (don't remember the name or company) actually looked even closer to the arcade version. IIRC, the maze was in the correct aspect ratio (e.g., tall rather than wide to fill the TV screen), and the monsters looked like the real thing, with eyes that moved. Anyway, it was this game that made me want an Atari computer back in 1982 (rather than a 2600) because I wanted the higher quality home conversions such as this and Missile Command. It was a bit frustrating that the awful 2600 version of Pac-Man got all the limelight, while the superior 5200 and 8-bit versions were hardly discussed! Not sure of the history behind the releases, but I had the earlier one, sans intermissions. Some of the, *ahem*, file versions that I got later did include them. Either they were the aforementioned 5200 ports, or updated editions.
Auntie Pastie — 3 Jun 2015
@Michael Allard; The Datasoft re-release (or at least the one on U.S. Gold's "Arcade Classics" compilation) does include the intermissions, possibly back-ported from the 5200 version.
Floppy Disk — 3 May 2015
I personally enjoy this game. Along with the rest of my Atari 8-bit collection, this game shines in greatness. But this game and a couple others are outstanding. I have nothing bad or troubling to say about this game. Peace out, Atari players.
Michael Allard — 1 Jan 2015
I had a 5200 long before I had an Atari home computer so that Pac-Man grew on me quickly. Then I received this Pac-Man not to long ago and at first I was sort of disappointed with the missing intermissions. After a few times of playing it, and my XEGS dying on me, I began to have Pac-Man withdrawals. I love my 5200 but I like this Pac-Man a bit more. Not so much for the controls but more for the fact that this Pac-Man is more forgiving than the 5200 version. Great game. Intermissions would have been nice, though.
Punkydudester — 15 Dec 2014
Excellent game all time classic.
Numfar — 29 Jan 2008
This version of Pacman is my all time favorite. The arcade version required me to memorize paterns to survive to the highest levels but this one I can play "freestyle" to a nice high score but still feel very challenged.
Flypaper — 15 Aug 2007
While it was a relief to finally get a version of the grand daddy of all video games on the Atari home computers, this version turned out to be a somewhat lackluster translation. The play mechanics largely remained intact, yet the graphics and sound had largely been drained of their personality. Gone were the ghosts' expressive eyes, the amusing interludes, and the full-bodied sound effects that filled so many arcades. Not the best effort from Atari's stable of programmers, but satisfying nonetheless.
Jim Kuchera — 16 Dec 2006
It's been said that the arcade version of Pacman is what brought women into the world of arcade games. It was true in my house when I brought this cart home and fired it up in my 8-bitter. My wife grabbed my Atari joystick (don't get smart), and she had so much fun with this game. The Atari translation of the arcade ROM is great. Smooth graphics, fine sound, a game that still sells on cell phones near the top of the d/l list. Isn't that amazing for a game that is 25 years old. Like wine, this vintage only gets better with age. All the sequels had cutesy variations (PacmanJr., MSPacman, SuperPacman), but could not improve on the original. Several fine also rans were On-Line's Jawbreaker which was sued off the market, and Mousekattack, a wonderful little game. What is it about maze games that keeps us coming back for more? But the cartridge. It's always for sale on eBay at bargain prices.
Cesar — 19 Oct 2006
Are you thinking in vote less than 10???? are you stupid or something??? come on ITS PACMAN !!!!!!!!!!!!