Ms. Pac-Man (NES review)

Developer: Now Production
Publisher: Namco Hometek
Released: 1993

Ms. Pac-Man is a maze game that was originally released in the Arcade in 1982 as the sequel to Pac-Man (1980, Arcade).

+ Ghosts have unique behaviours and speeds, and their A.I. is incredible as you can actively watch them trying to flank you.

+ Bonus fruits return, but this time with the treacherous twist of bouncing around the playfield to raise the suspense.

+ Extra tunnels have been introduced to the mazes, which is a brilliant idea that gives you multiple ways to escape foes.

- Curious port that only has a small selection of mazes and none of the additions seen on the Sega Master System (1991).

- Likewise, while Sega's 8-bit port offered co-op and competitive multiplayer, this one is turn-based only.

- Controls are often infuriatingly sticky on maze corners and the game doesn't always respond to your d-pad presses.

- Difficulty is more akin to the Atari 5200 version (1983) and the immediate challenge might deter some players.

Pac-Man (Sega Game Gear review)

Developer: Namco
Publisher: Namco Hometek
Released: 1991

Pac-Man is a maze game that was first released in the Arcade in 1980.

+ Supports the Gear-to-Gear Cable and has the ingenious mechanic of sending chomped ghosts to your friend's screen!

+ Different coloured ghosts have unique behaviours, which is great for learning patterns and outsmarting them.

+ Tunnels are an inspired feature for a quick escape and the limited energy pills turn the tide for a riveting ghost chase.

+ Collectable fruit adds an enticing risk-reward element, as the huge point bonuses mean venturing into perilous territory.

- While the decision to crop the screen does make sense, it doesn't always scroll far enough ahead to spot incoming ghosts.

- Alternatively, you can choose to display the entire maze, but it has the downside of unresponsive d-pad movements.

- No difficulty customisation options, and despite the maze being intricately designed it's the only one available.

Pac-Man (NES review)

Developer: Namco
Publisher: Namco Hometek
Released: 1993

Pac-Man is a maze game that was first released in the Arcade in 1980.

+ Good representation of the Arcade original, and the turn-based multiplayer offers bragging rights for high scores.

+ Different coloured ghosts have unique behaviours, which is great for learning patterns and outsmarting them.

+ Tunnels are an inspired feature for a quick escape and the limited energy pills turn the tide for a riveting ghost chase.

+ Collectable fruit adds an enticing risk-reward element, as the huge point bonuses mean venturing into perilous territory.

- Despite the maze being intricately designed it's the only one available, leaving you wishing for a bit more variety.

- Difficulty curve is amiss, as the speed starts off rather pedestrian before suddenly nitro charging in the fourth maze.

- Unlike the Atari 5200 port (1983) which had eight difficulty settings, this version has no skill customisation options.