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{{Head
 
{{Head
 
| type = Character
 
| type = Character
| quote = "Waka Waka"
+
| quote = ''Waka Waka''
| speaker =
+
| speaker = Pac-Man, 1980
 
| stub =
 
| stub =
 
| class = C}}
 
| class = C}}
 
{{VG Character
 
{{VG Character
 
| name = Pac-Man
 
| name = Pac-Man
| image = [[File:Pac-Man (Pac-Man The Adventure Begins).png|200px|center]]
+
| image = [[File:Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - Character Art - Pac-Man.png|200px]]
| caption = Pac-Man's artwork from ''[[Pac-Man and the Ghostly Advemtures]]''
+
| caption = Artwork from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.
| series = [[Pac-Man (series)|''Pac-Man'' series]]
+
| series = ''[[Pac-Man (series)|Pac-Man]]''
| firstgame = ''[[Pac-Man]]''
+
| firstgame = ''[[Pac-Man (video game)|Pac-Man]]''
 
| creator = [[Namco]]
 
| creator = [[Namco]]
| artist = [[Toru Iwatani]]
+
| artist = Toru Iwatani
  +
| voiceactor = Duncan Maclaren (2000)<br>Martin T. Sherman (2005)<br><br>Debi Derryberry (2010-2013)<br>Erica Mendez (2013-present)
| voiceactor = Marty Ingels (1982-2004)
 
Martin T. Sherman (2005-2009)
 
   
  +
Erica Mendez (2010-present)
 
  +
Marty Ingels (1982-1984) - Hanna-Barbera TV Show<br>Erin Mathews (2013-present) - Ghostly Adventures TV Show
| japanactor =
 
  +
| japanactor = Yuka Terasaki (2013-present) - Japanese Voice in Ghostly Adventures TV Show and Games
| inuniverse = Pac-Land
+
| inuniverse =
 
|gender = male
 
|gender = male
|species = Pac-People
+
|species = Pac-Person
|created = 1980}}
+
|created = 1980
  +
}}
'''Pac-Man''' is a character created by the company [[Namco]] and is their mascot. Back in the 1980s, his first game became one of the top arcade games of all time along with [[Donkey Kong (video game)]]. Pac-Man is a Pac-Person and is often savng his home from danger or outrun the Ghost Gang. The inspiration for Pac-Man came from a partially eaten pizza.
 
  +
 
'''Pac-Man''' {{Japanese|パックマン|Pakkuman}} is a character created by the company [[Namco]] as their mascot. Back in the 1980s, [[Pac-Man (Game)|his first game]] became one of the top Arcade games of all time along with [[Donkey Kong (video game)|''Donkey Kong'']]. Pac-Man is a Pac-Person who is often saving his home from danger of the Ghost Gang and other villains. The main inspiration for Pac-Man came from a pizza lacking a slice.
  +
  +
Vastly recognized as a videogame industry icon, the shape of the character also became a Geek and Pop Culture symbol in many ways. He has starred over 120 games, is a key franchise for [[Bandai Namco Games]] and is one of the most valuable for them.
  +
  +
Most of the titles in the [[Pac-Man (series)|''PAC-MAN'' series]] are Maze games (as it started) or Platform adventure games. The character appeared in many Nintendo systems and had multiple portrayals in these. Notable, one his most recent appearances as a guest fighter in the [[Super Smash Bros. 4|4th title]] in the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' franchise]], and as the rest of the playable cast, having his own [[amiibo]].
  +
  +
==Story and Character Development==
  +
Pac-Man was originally conceived only as a charismatic figure to be the mascot of his company, [[Namco]]. The simplistic design was reminiscent of silent cartoons and consequently made him always very expressive in art. His in-game appearance as a yellow circle with a single triangular cut, though, didn't live up the design in artworks.
  +
  +
Over the years, and with the release of more games in his franchise, Pac-Man was gaining more consistency in his universe; [[Midway]], which was responsible for the western distribution of the Arcade games of the series in 80's, created without the consent of NAMCO, characters (like [[Ms. Pac-Man]]) which became the Pac-Man family. After a long process of legal disputes, the rights of these new concepts were passed on to the official retainers of the franchise, and established Pac-Man as a family man.
  +
  +
The [[wikipedia:Pac-Man (TV series)|Hanna-Barbera TV Show in 1982]] solidified the structure of the Pac-Man family, with the games that followed reflecting it.
  +
  +
In 2009, however, the series underwent a drastic reboot, discarding a lot of characters and all his universe, towards to targeting a younger audience of the current generation, also giving the character a redesign. The reboot passed through a transitional phase where the character was seen alone on some titles, already carrying elements of his modern look, and games which was not assigned any connection to a solid universe; and finally, with the launch of the [[wikipedia:Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures|new TV Show in 2013]], new friends and a story were established once again, this animated series generated games and later appearances with his final and current design.
  +
  +
Pac-Man is now the hero of Pac-World, and his real name is Pacster; With the help of his friends [[Cylindria]] and [[Spiral]], constantly fights against the evil forces of [[Lord Betrayus]] and his Ghost Army.
  +
  +
==Physical appearance and Personality==
  +
[[File:Pac-Man Arcade Art.png|thumb|78px|Pac-Man, in early promotional art in Japan.]]
  +
  +
From the original game release in Arcades until the GameCube era, Pac-Man was always portrayed in very distinct Japanese art, with sharp points in his eyebrows and elbows, a big nose and very thick outlines. Some of the art for Western and European releases for the games, were done by multiple artists.
  +
[[File:PMW Pac Man.png|thumb|left|100px|Pac-Man from the ''Pac-Man World'' cover art.]]
  +
  +
After his debut in 3D in 1999, his previous design was refined, was given a smaller nose and a more friendly and soft look in the edges of bent limbs and eyebrows; This design in particular was used in almost every game art from Pac-Man Collection to ''Mario Kart Arcade GP 2''. As a throwback, it was also how he looks in ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U''.
  +
[[File:Pac man party 3D render.png|thumb|132px|Pac-Man as seen in ''Pac-Man Party''.]]
   
==Appearances==
 
===''[[Pac-Man World 2]]''===
 
One night Pac-Man was asleep and the [[Ghost Gang]] released [[Spooky]] from his imprisonment by taking the Golden Fruit. In the morning Professor Pac told him what happened and what he must do to save Pac-Land. Pac-Man headed out on his adventure to stop the Ghost Gang and Spooky.
 
   
  +
In 2009, Pac-Man suffered his first big redesign, gaining blue eyes, a more realistic looking sneakers and overall a more playful and youthful behavior. It was used for the transition between his current and classic look.
===Super Smash Bros.===
 
   
  +
[[File:P&GA Pac Man.png|thumb|left|138px|Pac-Man (Pacster) as he currently looks.]]Finally, on the 2013 TV Show, Pac-Man received a bigger nose once again, separated fingers in his hands , and he has apparent teeth for certain expressions. He is known to be brave, but has teenage faults like laziness and brashness. He was also seen multiple alternative designs in minor spin-offs, but rarely used more than once.
Pac-Man appears as a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]''. He uses attacks based on other classic Namco arcade games.
 
   
  +
=='''List of games on Nintendo systems'''==
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*[[Pac-Man (Game)|''PAC-MAN'']]
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*[[Pac-Land|''PAC-LAND'']]
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*[[Pac-Man (Game)|''PAC-MAN ''(''GB'')]]
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*[[Pac-Attack|''PAC-ATTACK'']]
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*[[Ms. Pac-Man (video game)|''Ms. PAC-MAN ''(''GB'')]] - (cameos in intermissions)
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*[[Ms. Pac-Man (video game)|''Ms. PAC-MAN'']] - (cameos in intermissions)
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*[[Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures|''PAC-MAN 2: The New Adventures'']]
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*[[Pac-In-Time|''PAC-IN-TIME'']]
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*[[Ms. Pac-Man (video game)|''Ms. PAC-MAN'' (SNES)]] - (cameos in intermissions)
  +
*[[Ms. Pac-Man (video game)|''Ms. PAC-MAN: Special Color Edition'']] - (cameos in intermissions)
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*[[Pac-Man (Game)|''PAC-MAN: Special Color Edition'']]
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*[[Namco Museum 64|''NAMCO Museum 64'']] - (compilation)
  +
*[[Pac-Man Collection|''PAC-MAN Collection'']] <span style="font-weight:normal;">- (compilation)</span>
  +
*[[Namco Museum (GBA)|''NAMCO Museum'']] <span style="font-weight:normal;">- (compilation)</span>
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*[[Pac-Man World 2|''PAC-MAN World 2'']]
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*[[Pac-Man Fever|''PAC-MAN Fever'']]
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*[[Pac-Man Vs.|''PAC-MAN Vs.'']]
  +
*[[Classic NES Series: Pac-Man|''Classic NES Series: Pac-Man'']]
 
*[[Pac-Man World|''PAC-MAN World'']]
  +
*[[Pac-Pix|''PAC-PIX'']]
  +
*[[Pac-Man Pinball Advance|''PAC-MAN Pinball Advance'']]
  +
*[[Pac 'n Roll|''PAC 'N ROLL'']]
  +
*[[Namco Museum: 50th Anniversary|''NAMCO Museum: 50th Anniversary'']] <span style="font-weight:normal;">- </span>(compilation)
  +
*[[NAMCO Museum: 50th Anniversary (GBA)|''NAMCO Museum: 50th Anniversary'' (''GBA'')]] - (compilation)
  +
*[[Mario Kart Arcade GP|''Mario Kart Arcade GP'']]
  +
*[[Pac-Man World 2|''PAC-MAN World 2'' (''GBA'')]]
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*[[Pac-Man World 3|''PAC-MAN World 3'']]
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*[[Pac-Man World Rally|''PAC-MAN World Rally'']]
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*[[Mario Kart Arcade GP 2|''Mario Kart Arcade GP 2'']]
  +
*[[Namco Museum DS|''NAMCO Museum DS'']] <span style="font-weight:normal;">- (compilation)</span>
  +
*[[Namco Museum Remix|''NAMCO Museum Remix'']] <span style="font-weight:normal;">- (compilation)</span>
  +
*[[Pac-Man Party|''PAC-MAN Party'']]
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*[[Namco Museum Megamix|''NAMCO Museum Megamix'']] <span style="font-weight:normal;">- (compilation)</span>
  +
*[[Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions|''PAC-MAN &amp; Galaga Dimensions'']]
  +
*[[Pac-Man Party 3D|''PAC-MAN Party 3D'']]
  +
*[[Mario Kart Arcade GP DX|''Mario Kart Arcade GP DX'']]
  +
*[[Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures|''PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures'']]
  +
*[[Mario Kart 8|''Mario Kart 8'']] - (cameo as a Mii Costume)
  +
*[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U|''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U'']]
  +
*[[Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2|''PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures 2'']]
  +
*[[Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy +|''Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy +'']] - (cameo as a themed plane)
  +
*[[Yoshi's Woolly World|''Yoshi's Woolly World'']] - (cameo as color pattern for Yoshi)
  +
*[[Super Mario Maker|''Super Mario Maker'']] - (cameo as a Mario Costume)
  +
*[[Namco Museum Arcade Pac |''Namco Museum Arcade Pac '']]
  +
*[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate|''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'']]
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
*Pac-Man, [[Ms. Pac-Man]], and [[Blinky]] have appeared alongside [[Mario]] and co. in the arcade series [[Mario Kart Arcade GP|Mario Kart Arcade GP.]]
+
*Pac-Man, [[Ms. Pac-Man]], and [[Blinky]] have appeared alongside [[Mario]] and co. in the arcade series ''Mario Kart Arcade GP''.
*The creator of [[Super Mario Bros.]], [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], has stated multiple times that Pac-Man is his favorite video game franchise.
+
*The creator of [[Super Mario Bros.|''Super Mario Bros.'']], [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], has stated multiple times that Pac-Man is his favorite video game franchise.
 
{{Smash Bros}}
 
{{Smash Bros}}
 
[[Category:Third party characters]]
 
[[Category:Third party characters]]
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[[Category:Protagonists]]
 
[[Category:Protagonists]]
 
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. fighters]]
 
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. fighters]]
[[Category:Characters in Super Smash Bros. Wii U / 3DS]]
+
[[Category:Amiibo characters]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. 4 playable characters]]
+
[[Category:Pac-Man characters]]
  +
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. trophies]]
 
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. Spirits]]
  +
[[Category:Super Mario Maker Costumes]]

Revision as of 23:26, 1 February 2020


Pac-Man (JP) is a character created by the company Namco as their mascot. Back in the 1980s, his first game became one of the top Arcade games of all time along with Donkey Kong. Pac-Man is a Pac-Person who is often saving his home from danger of the Ghost Gang and other villains. The main inspiration for Pac-Man came from a pizza lacking a slice.

Vastly recognized as a videogame industry icon, the shape of the character also became a Geek and Pop Culture symbol in many ways. He has starred over 120 games, is a key franchise for Bandai Namco Games and is one of the most valuable for them.

Most of the titles in the PAC-MAN series are Maze games (as it started) or Platform adventure games. The character appeared in many Nintendo systems and had multiple portrayals in these. Notable, one his most recent appearances as a guest fighter in the 4th title in the Super Smash Bros. franchise, and as the rest of the playable cast, having his own amiibo.

Story and Character Development

Pac-Man was originally conceived only as a charismatic figure to be the mascot of his company, Namco. The simplistic design was reminiscent of silent cartoons and consequently made him always very expressive in art. His in-game appearance as a yellow circle with a single triangular cut, though, didn't live up the design in artworks.

Over the years, and with the release of more games in his franchise, Pac-Man was gaining more consistency in his universe; Midway, which was responsible for the western distribution of the Arcade games of the series in 80's, created without the consent of NAMCO, characters (like Ms. Pac-Man) which became the Pac-Man family. After a long process of legal disputes, the rights of these new concepts were passed on to the official retainers of the franchise, and established Pac-Man as a family man.

The Hanna-Barbera TV Show in 1982 solidified the structure of the Pac-Man family, with the games that followed reflecting it.

In 2009, however, the series underwent a drastic reboot, discarding a lot of characters and all his universe, towards to targeting a younger audience of the current generation, also giving the character a redesign. The reboot passed through a transitional phase where the character was seen alone on some titles, already carrying elements of his modern look, and games which was not assigned any connection to a solid universe; and finally, with the launch of the new TV Show in 2013, new friends and a story were established once again, this animated series generated games and later appearances with his final and current design.

Pac-Man is now the hero of Pac-World, and his real name is Pacster; With the help of his friends Cylindria and Spiral, constantly fights against the evil forces of Lord Betrayus and his Ghost Army.

Physical appearance and Personality

Pac-Man Arcade Art

Pac-Man, in early promotional art in Japan.

From the original game release in Arcades until the GameCube era, Pac-Man was always portrayed in very distinct Japanese art, with sharp points in his eyebrows and elbows, a big nose and very thick outlines. Some of the art for Western and European releases for the games, were done by multiple artists.

PMW Pac Man

Pac-Man from the Pac-Man World cover art.

After his debut in 3D in 1999, his previous design was refined, was given a smaller nose and a more friendly and soft look in the edges of bent limbs and eyebrows; This design in particular was used in almost every game art from Pac-Man Collection to Mario Kart Arcade GP 2. As a throwback, it was also how he looks in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U.

Pac man party 3D render

Pac-Man as seen in Pac-Man Party.


In 2009, Pac-Man suffered his first big redesign, gaining blue eyes, a more realistic looking sneakers and overall a more playful and youthful behavior. It was used for the transition between his current and classic look.

P&GA Pac Man

Pac-Man (Pacster) as he currently looks.

Finally, on the 2013 TV Show, Pac-Man received a bigger nose once again, separated fingers in his hands , and he has apparent teeth for certain expressions. He is known to be brave, but has teenage faults like laziness and brashness. He was also seen multiple alternative designs in minor spin-offs, but rarely used more than once.

List of games on Nintendo systems

Trivia