Pac-Man vs.
Platform: Nintendo GameCube
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Namco
Imagine if you will, the creator of one of the most beloved video game characters of all time working with the company who created the character who, over 20 years ago, held that position.
The question is: How could Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto bring new life to Pac-Man?
The answer: Create the fun and addictive Pac-Man vs. and make it cheap.
I know what you're saying, "Dude, it's the Pac, what could the god of all that is video games do to the Pac?"
How does playing as Inky, Binky, Pinky or Clyde sound? You heard that correctly, you get to play as the ghosts.
You need a Game Boy Advance to play this game because you connect it to the Gamecube and play as Pac-Man. The other three controllers act as the ghosts. The ghosts only see a portion of the board in some cool 3D graphics while Pac-Man is relegated to the classic look and feel of the whole board.
Pac-Man vs. is some serious fun. There is actually a challenge to it when you play against somebody. Playing the original Pac-Man was fun, but you sort of got the hint of where the ghosts were going and could easily lose them. When somebody else is the ghost, there is more of a fighting spirit. They want to kick you ass.
I've been playing some variation of Pac-Man for over 20 years. They've tried to bring him into the new generation but failed miserably. Pac-Man vs. proves that you have to go to the old school to get it right.
One bad thing: You can't purchase it alone. You have to pick up either R: Racing Evolution, I-Ninja, or Pac-Man World 2. I recommend Pac-Man World 2 because it is the only priced at $20. The game itself sucks, but it has Pac-Man vs.
Reach the reporter at ryan.eilders@asu.edu.
