Earlier this year, Bandai Namco announced a new Pac-Man project that sounded like a dream come true. Hipster Whale, the team that re-invented the Frogger formula with their hit debut Crossy Road, had been tasked with bringing a similar magic …
Earlier this year, Bandai Namco announced a new Pac-Man project that sounded like a dream come true. Hipster Whale, the team that re-invented the Frogger formula with their hit debut Crossy Road, had been tasked with bringing a similar magic to gaming’s original mascot.
But how do you reinvent Pac-Man for mobile audiences in 2015?
We had a quick glimpse in the announcement trailer back in May, but thanks to a new gameplay trailer that Hipster Whale released this morning we have a much better picture of what’s to come. Specifically, endless Pac-Man maze-running as you try to stay one step ahead of the infamous Level 256 glitch that’s trying to stop you dead in your tracks.
The trailer also reveals some new power-ups that move Pac-Man beyond his previously limited “just run like hell and try to get to a power pellet” skill set. For example, one power-up turns Pac-Man gigantic for a moment. Another whips up a little tornado to clear a path for Pac-Man to travel without worrying about ghosts.
Speaking of, PAC-MAN 256 seems to introduce a few new ghosts as well. In addition to Inky, Pinky, Blinky and Clyde, I spotted purple ghosts, gray ghosts, and green ghosts in the trailer above. Fun fact: my daughter made me a green ghost for Father’s Day, which left me thinking “this looks so cool — how did Namco never try green?!?”
My psychic connection with the Hipster Whale team strike again.
Pac-Man 256 is scheduled for a release this summer on both iOS and Android, and now that we’re into August, we’ve got to think that means “soon.”
