Puck Man (Japan, set 1)

Namco • 1980

Also known as: Abscam, Pac-Man, Piranha

Puck Man (Japan, set 1) — Title screen
Title screen
Puck Man (Japan, set 1) — Gameplay
Gameplay

Guide Puckman through a maze in this classic collect-a-thon game for two players. The goal is to consume all the dots and power pellets scattered throughout the rectangular playing field while evading four unique ghosts that patrol the area. Strategic use of escape tunnels and temporary invincibility granted by power pellets are key to survival, as contact with a ghost results in a lost life. As you progress through each maze, the challenge intensifies with increasing speed and diminishing power pellet effectiveness, requiring players to adapt their tactics. Bonus fruit or prizes occasionally appear for extra points, adding an element of surprise. Intermissions featuring humorous animations provide brief respites between rounds, showcasing Puckman's encounters with the persistent ghosts. Originally released in Japan as Puck Man, this title was later renamed for its international debut and became a worldwide phenomenon, marking a significant moment in arcade game history. The distinctive white cabinet design, shared with other Namco classics, is instantly recognizable to gamers familiar with the golden age of arcades.

Details

Manufacturer
Namco
Year
1980
Players
2
Genre
Maze / Collect
Display
raster, rotated 90°
Emulation status
good
MAME ID
puckman

Machine data derived from the MAME project.