One of the most anticipated Xbox Game Pass releases of May finally dropped a few days ago, and though it's got some issues, Pac-Man Museum+ is well worth a download. Right now, the game is suffering a few technical issues on Xbox consoles, namely some pretty substantial input lag. Behind those issues is a comprehensive collection of 14 different Pac-Man titles, ranging from some of the earliest arcade games to modern remasters and reimaginings.
For those looking to try out their first Pac-Man game, those looking to learn a little about the history of the industry as a whole, or those who have been avid fans of the yellow ghost-chomper for years, Pac-Man Museum+ is certainly a game worth checking out. For subscribers of Xbox Game Pass, there's no downside in picking it up. With 14 games to try out, some of which change up the Pac-Man formula quite a bit, there's sure to be something for everyone.
Pac-Man Museum+'s Classic Games
Of the 14 Pac-Man games included in this collection, at least eight of them could be considered classic video game titles. The first of which is, of course, the very first Pac-Man arcade game. Released in 1980, just about everyone has given the original Pac-Man game a go at least once and should know what they're in for: try to eat all the Pellets, eat some fruit, eat some ghosts, and repeat.
Next up is 1982's Super Pac-Man, which was Namco's attempt at a Pac-Man sequel. Gameplay is pretty similar to the original game, but players will have to collect keys in order to travel to rooms where the fruit is stored. The 1983 sequel to Super Pac-Man, Pac & Pal is also included in Pac-Man Museum+. This game is extremely similar to its predecessor but does feature the titular pal, an AI-controlled green creature named Mil who fetches fruit for the player.
For those looking for a wholly different Pac-Man game, Pac-Land may just be for them. Released in 1984, Pac-Land takes the yellow mascot and brings him into the realm of 2D side-scrollers. It's obviously a little barebone by today's standards, but Pac-Land is just quirky and different enough to remain entertaining and has some vibrant art to boot.
Returning to the series' roots while still switching things up a little, 1987's Pac-Mania is also one of Pac-Man Museum+'s 14. Pac-Mania takes the classic maze-chasing gameplay of the original titles and puts an isometric spin on it. Pac-Man is also able to jump over ghosts in this one, which makes the gameplay stand out a little more than some of its predecessors.
Jumping forward in time by a few years and hopping over to the console side of the collection, 1993's Pac-Attack for the SNES is also here, which is essentially just a Pac-Man themed Tetris clone. The SNES version of 1995's Pac-In-Time is also included in this collection, being another side-scrolling platformer. The last classic Pac-Man game in the collection is 1996's Pac-Man Arrangement, which is essentially a remake of the original arcade classic, but with updated sound and visuals.
Pac-Man Museum+'s Modern Games
On top of some of the best vintage Pac-Man offerings, Pac-Man Museum+ also includes some of the franchise's best modern offerings. The first of these is the 2005 PSP version of Pac-Man Arrangement, which is actually a completely different game from the 1996 arcade title of the same name. This version of Pac-Man Arrangement includes boss battles and has a variety of power-up items that change up the classic Pac-Man formula quite a bit.
The 2007 Xbox Live Arcade classic Pac-Man Championship Edition makes an appearance here as well. On its release, this game was lauded for its vibrant and colorful backdrops, which helped to make the Pac-Man formula feel fresh again. 2007's Pac-Motos is also here, fusing the Pac-Man and Motos franchise together, as is 2007's Pac 'n Roll Remix, another 2D side-scroller, this time from the Nintendo DS era.
The most recent arcade game in the collection, 2011's Pac-Man Battle Royale sets four players against each other. Each player competes to earn the most points, and if the right power-up is found, players can eat one another. The final game included in Pac-Man Museum+ is the console version of 2015's Pac-Man 256, which is a pretty unique endless runner.
Pac-Man Museum+ is available now on Xbox Game Pass, as well as PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.