Pac-Man NGPC box art

Neo Geo Pocket Color · Action

Pac-Man

Certified classic

SystemNeo Geo Pocket Color
Released1999 (originally 1980)
GenreAction
DeveloperNamco
PublisherSNK
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesPac-Man
ESRBE
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 18

Developed by Namco and published by SNK, Pac-Man arrived on the Neo Geo Pocket Color in 1999 as an action game. This NGPC release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1980.

It belongs to the NGPC's earliest wave of games. Other notable NGPC releases from 1999 include Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure, Metal Slug 1st Mission and Dark Arms: Beast Buster.

It is part of the Pac-Man series. The series also appears on other systems with Pac-Man (2600) and Pac-Man (5200).

Pac-Man is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

Pick it if…

  • you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you want to experience one of the NGPC's defining games

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

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 NGPC
In-game screenshot (NGPC)

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 NGPC games today

The NGPC library is compact and high quality, and several of its games have been re-released on modern platforms.

Pac-Man FAQ

When did Pac-Man come out on the NGPC?

Pac-Man was released for the Neo Geo Pocket Color in 1999; the original game dates back to 1980.

Who made Pac-Man?

It was developed by Namco and published by SNK.

Is Pac-Man multiplayer?

No. Pac-Man is a single-player game.

How long does Pac-Man take to play?

As an action game, Pac-Man typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. 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.

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