Pac & Pal

Pac & Pal arrived in arcades in 1983 as a direct sequel to Super Pac-Man, retaining familiar elements like doors and fruit collection instead of traditional pellets. Players control Pac-Man alongside Miru, a new character who attempts to steal the collected fruit and deliver it to the ghost pen. This introduces a dual objective: navigating the maze while also keeping an eye on Miru’s actions. The game features music throughout gameplay and allows for two players simultaneously, adding a competitive element to this already complex maze experience. Beyond collecting fruit, Pac & Pal provides new abilities like a stunning attack against ghosts and access to the ghost pen area. Bonus rounds offer additional scoring opportunities, with unique challenges related to Miru and Blinky, one of the game’s iconic ghosts. The inclusion of music was also a first for the Pac-Man series, enhancing the gameplay atmosphere significantly. A less common version of this title substituted Miru with Chomp Chomp, Pac-Man's canine companion from an animated television show, but this variation never made it to widespread distribution. Scoring is based on collected items, stunned ghosts, keys and completion bonuses, encouraging players to strategize for high scores across both player positions.