Nintendo Entertainment System · Action
Pac-Man
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1991 (originally 1980) |
| Genre | Action |
| Developer | Namco |
| Publisher | Tengen |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Pac-Man |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 26 |
Pac-Man is an action game released in 1991 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Namco and published by Tengen. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1980.
It landed about 6 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1991 include Battletoads, Yoshi and Adventure Island II. Among the 164 NES action games in our database, it ranks #3 by legacy score.
It is part of the Pac-Man series; on the NES you can also try Ms. Pac-Man, Pac-Mania and Pac-Man Championship Edition. The series also appears on other systems with Pac-Man (2600) and Pac-Man (5200). Namco also made Battle City, Mappy and Galaga for the NES.
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 an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you have a friend to play against
- you want to experience one of the NES'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 cheats & codes
25 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Both Players Have Infinite Lives | SZEKKIVG |
|---|---|
| 1 Life For Player 2 | VTGKVZ |
| Power Pills Last Longer | AYVITOGL |
| Power Pills Don't Last As Long | AZVITOGL |
| Power Pills Don't Work | ATXTZASZ |
| Only 3 Ghosts Are Edible | IAXVYEYE |
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 NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Pac-Man FAQ
When did Pac-Man come out on the NES?
Pac-Man was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991; the original game dates back to 1980.
Who made Pac-Man?
It was developed by Namco and published by Tengen.
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 "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.