There have been video games and arcade sensations preceding Pac-Man, yet Namco’s ghost-chomping hero swiftly became a pop-culture symbol following his introduction in May 1980. Pac-Man’s 45th anniversary is just a little over two months away, but Bandai Namco has plans to continue the celebration into 2026.
To kick off the year of “imPACt,” Bandai Namco released a video that chronicles Pac-Man’s journey over the last four decades, including the original game and its Atari 2600 port, as well as some of the sequels and spin-offs like Pac-Man World 2. There’s even a brief glimpse of Shadow Labyrinth, the forthcoming title that reimagines the Pac-Man franchise as a 2D action game.
While Shadow Labyrinth may be the most anticipated Pac-Man game on the horizon, it’s certainly not the only one. Bandai Namco is partnering with Supersocial on Roblox for Pac-Man Simulator, which will allow players to embark on more Pac-Man adventures in celebration of the 45th anniversary. Meanwhile, PowerA is developing Pac-Man gaming accessories for Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One. We’ve also caught a glimpse of some of the Pac-Man plush toys that will be released as well.
If you’ve ever wished to experience Pac-Man in real life, Manchester’s Arcade Area in the UK will be launching the Pac-Man Live Experience on March 22. This collaboration between Tiny Lion Entertainment and Bandai Namco allows visitors to step into life-sized versions of Pac-Man’s iconic maze.
From April 30 to June 4, Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture is set to host a special Pac-Man exhibition, which will feature a themed event on May 10. Additionally, The Main Park Gallery in Irvine, California will also be…