Pac-Man 2600 box art

Atari 2600 · Action

Pac-Man

Certified classic

SystemAtari 2600
GenreAction
DeveloperNamco
PublisherNamco
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
SeriesPac-Man
ESRBE
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 29

Pac-Man is an action game released for the Atari 2600, developed by Namco.

Among the 207 2600 action games in our database, it ranks #1 by legacy score.

It is part of the Pac-Man series; on the 2600 you can also try Ms. Pac-Man and Jr. Pac-Man. The series also appears on other systems with Pac-Man (5200) and Pac-Man (Intellivision). Namco also made Galaxian, Dig Dug and Pole Position for the 2600.

Pac-Man supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you want to experience one of the 2600's defining games

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests

What playing Pac-Man is like

Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.

Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.

Pac-Man gameplay screenshot on 2600
In-game screenshot (2600)

Pac-Man cheats & codes

1 codes on file (Other codes). Here are a few Other codes codes to start with:

No dots08

See all Pac-Man cheats

Pac-Man walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Pac-Man.

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Playing 2600 games today

Most 2600 games are built for short, score-chasing sessions, which makes them perfect for a quick nostalgia hit. Original hardware is cheap and plentiful, the Atari 2600+ reissue plays original cartridges on modern TVs, and official collections such as Atari 50 bundle many first-party classics.

Pac-Man FAQ

Who made Pac-Man?

It was developed by Namco.

Is Pac-Man multiplayer?

Yes. Pac-Man supports up to 2 players.

How long does Pac-Man take to play?

As an action game, Pac-Man typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Pac-Man on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you