Pac-Mania NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Action

Pac-Mania

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1991 (originally 1987)
GenreAction
DeveloperNamco
PublisherTengen
Players1–2 players
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesPac-Man
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 4

Pac-Mania 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 1987.

It landed about 6 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1991 include Pac-Man, Battletoads and Yoshi.

It is part of the Pac-Man series; on the NES you can also try Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man 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-Mania 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've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests

What playing Pac-Mania 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-Mania gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Pac-Mania cheats & codes

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

Infinite LivesSZKIOPVG

See all Pac-Mania cheats

Pac-Mania walkthroughs & guides

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

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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-Mania FAQ

When did Pac-Mania come out on the NES?

Pac-Mania was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991; the original game dates back to 1987.

Who made Pac-Mania?

It was developed by Namco and published by Tengen.

Is Pac-Mania multiplayer?

Yes. Pac-Mania supports up to 2 players.

How long does Pac-Mania take to play?

As an action game, Pac-Mania 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-Mania 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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