Professor Pac-Man

Professor Pac-Man presents a unique twist on the familiar maze chase gameplay by transforming the yellow icon into an academic figure. This two-player quiz game, released in 1983 by Dave Nutting Associates/Bally Midway, challenges players with multiple-choice questions displayed across the screen. Success depends on correctly answering these trivia prompts, rather than navigating a labyrinth of ghosts. The game’s design utilizes the Astrocade hardware platform and features a horizontal display with a resolution of 320x204 pixels. Players use buttons to select their answers from the presented options, competing against each other for the highest score. The intention behind Professor Pac-Man was initially to offer different question sets targeted at various audiences, though this plan was not fully realized. Notably rare, with only approximately 400 units produced, Professor Pac-Man provides a curious glimpse into an experiment in arcade game design. Programmed using the FORTH language, it represents a brief and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to broaden the appeal of the Pac-Man franchise beyond its traditional action format.