Nostalgic 3D platformer fans are being catered to at the moment. From SpongeBob SquarePants to Klonoa to Kao, mascot heroes from the past are returning left and right with updated versions of their most famous video game adventures. Pac-Man and his Pac-parents at Bandai Namco want in on the action, which leads to today’s Nintendo Direct Mini announcement of Pac-Man World Re-Pac.
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Like in the original, Pac-Man must battle Toc-Man, a giant mechanical Pac-World inhabitant who has teamed with the ghosts arcade players know and loathe and kidnapped Pac-Man’s friends and family. The victims include Pac-Mom, a stand-in for the original game’s Ms. Pac-Man. The new character appears here due to continuing legal issues surrounding the initial arcade release that introduced the bow-wearing femme fatale.
I heard you wanted a remake. 👀
PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC, coming August 26! pic.twitter.com/rYNQW3L91p
— PAC-MAN Official (@officialpacman) June 28, 2022
Initially released in 1999 on the PlayStation 1 and originally remade for the Game Boy Advance in 2004, Pac-Man World was the first time the Pac-Man series went full 3D. It’s also one of the character’s more successful spin-off outings, although that’s not too much of an accomplishment compared to infamously obtuse games like Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures and Pac-Land.
While there are maze stages littered throughout Pac-Man World‘s six worlds, the mascot’s move set also features platforming staples like a butt bounce and a Sonic-like spin dash called the Rev Roll. The trailer also shows Pac-Man’s transformation into a gigantic form that can quickly eat ghosts and obstacles alike.
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Pac-Man World: Re-Pac launches on August 26 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC. It will be the first time the game hits any of these modern machines, and strong sales could pave the way for rereleases of the other two games in the Pac-Man World series and the racing spin-off, Pac-Man World Rally.