Pac-Man Classic NES

Gamers who are under the age of 25 may not really get the appeal of Pac-Man. After all, once you have grown up playing Mario, Mortal Kombat, and Final Fantasy, piloting a dot-munching yellow pie around the same maze over and over again may not seem very exciting. Truthfully, it isn't really that exciting for those of us who grew up on the game, but there is something quite calming, almost Zen-like in finding the perfect way to navigate the maze and avoid the ghosts.

You all should know the basic "plot" of the classic Pac-Man: Eat all the dots in the maze, avoid the ghosts patrolling the halls, and then turn the tables on the baddies by chomping one of four power pellets. The original game was probably the biggest video game hit of the early arcade days, spawning follow-ons like Ms. Pac-Man, etc. The independent action of the four ghosts chasing our champion around created a surprisingly engaging puzzle game that featured non-stop action. The GBA version faithfully recreates the original arcade version, right down to the opening screens. A few extras, such as a sleep mode have been added to enhance the GBA experience, but the game stands on its own merits.

One feature that really is a very nice touch that more GBA game makers should take note of is the ability to use one cartridge to play the game on two linked handhelds. While the players still have to take turns, the mere ability to play on two handhelds with only one cart should be lauded.

Pac-Man for the GBA will not overwhelm you with graphical wizardry, but gamers interested in gaming history or looking for that perfect title to play for five minutes in the line at the store will enjoy a return to gaming's roots with a game that stands the test of time and delivers.

Gameplay: 7.5
Pac-Man's deceptively simple gameplay mixes puzzle solving, action, and strategy. Using the arrow buttons instead of a joystick takes a little getting used to, but once you get going, it feels like you have gone back to the 80's.

Graphics: 7.0
It looks exactly like it should, as a port of a classic game.

Sound: 7.0
Never the strongest part of the Pac-Man game, but the sound effects are part of gaming legend.

Difficulty: Easy
Easy to play, approachable for all ages, but enough challenge for experienced gamers who want to perfect their "runs" through the maze.

Concept: 8.1
Retro is in, and bringing Pac-Man to the GBA is the best place for the yellow guy to live. The limited graphics and gameplay are not that far from the normal crop of GBA games and you know the game is addictive.

Multiplayer: 7.0
Have to give them their props for not getting greedy and jacking you for two cartridges to play an otherwise tepid multiplayer mode that is just as easily played by passing the GBA back and forth.

Overall: 7.0
If you are an adult gamer who grew up on Pac-Man, you will probably enjoy this trip down Memory Lane as much as I did. The game is great to play in short spurts, when you just want to kill 5 - 10 minutes playing something. Don't go into it looking for Splinter Cell and you will be happy.