FINALLY
When I reviewed the classic Pac-Man on the iPhone I didn’t love it too much. A tiny screen that involved virtual control movement with the option of moving your finger in a ‘swiping’ motion instead. While it certainly maintained all the classic elements of the original 1980 game, it still didn’t do it justice when it came to space in regards to moving around with your fingers on the screen. Your finger always seemed to get in the way regardless of which method of movement you chose to use.
This was clunky and unacceptable for any amount of money that a gamer would pay for it.
Fast-forward a bit and on April 3rd, 2010 the iPad was released to the public. Eleven days later Pac-Man made it to the iPad as well.
I can safely say that this is the Pac-Man that works the best on a mobile system. Forget your phone, forget your consoles, just whip out the 10-inch iPad and get a full-screen helping of Namco’s classic title. What’s even better about this is that the ‘swipe’ option that the game gives you is much better than the virtual joystick. I haven’t been in love with the swipe option on any of the iPhone games and now it looks as if I’m going to have to adopt it as my new favorite range of motion. What people may not realize is that when you use the swipe motion you don’t have to be near Pac-Man to use it. You can place your finger on the bottom part of the screen and do the motions in which you want your lovely yellow pac attack aimed. Because of the extra real estate on the device you’ll be able to completely concentrate your eyes on the nice, large screen and not have to work your eyes around your own finger.
Folks, this is how it should be.
Everything else about the game is exactly like the original arcade. What’s even better is that it only costs $4.99 to purchase it. For what you get in this classic it’s worth a simple $5. I think Namco Bandai Games finally got it right not only with price, but with function and, more importantly, what proper device it should be running on.
I knew the iPad would make games fun, but I never imagine that I would rediscover the fun of Pac-Man. Get it, especially if you like the classics!