Nintendo Reviews Rating:
Age 6+
Posted: March 20th, 2005
By: Webmaster-Josh
Pac-Man vs. is a GCN exclusive title that requires the use of a Game Boy Advance to play. This innovative game allows
players to control the ghosts, while one player is Pac-Man. Does the idea work?
Sound

You can tell that not much effort was put into the sound part, but it holds up surprisingly well. I can't tell if this game is
Stereo sound, but there is no option for sound, and by listening to the game, I have to assume that it's Mono. That's not
bad, because the sound effects are basic. Basically everything you heard from Pac-Man is here, which aren't too many. The
sounds are very crisp, and the same goes for the Game Boy Advance sound.
There is original music composed for the game's 5 new levels. The music is pretty long, and is actually of good quality.
They are also somewhat hummable, although some songs have annoying parts to it. The Game Boy Advance doesn't emit
any music, but that's okay, because we only need it from the TV speakers. There is no music on the original Pac-Man
level, but that is actually better, as it retains the quality. Another catchy tune was composed for the menu screen.
What really surprises and impresses me is the commentary from Mario. Charles Martinet does an excellent job voicing
Mario, and this is some of his best work. Mario's voice is very clear, and never gets dull. What's amazing is just that! It
never gets annoying. There are about 20 different samples, but it is varied enough to make it easy on the ears. Overall,
for how simple this game is, the sound is very well done.
Control

The control involves simply using the control stick on the GCN controller. Controlling the ghosts is very easy. You are
completely free to go wherever you want. Retaining the original quality of the Pac-Man game must have been important to
Namco, and they pulled off a control scheme that works well. You may opt to use the Control Pad to move, which I prefer.
The ghosts get a limited view, but just big enough that you can find Pac-Man with strategy. Pac-Man has a trail following it,
so you can find Pac-Man, even if he's a little ahead of you. To assist in the search for Pac-Man, as a ghost, if you eat fruit
that appears, then you will get twice as much viewing space for about 20 seconds.
You also use just the Control Pad to control Pac-Man on the Game Boy Advance. Pac-Man practically has a view of the
entire level, no matter what level you play at. Pac-Man has an advantage at the sides of levels, where you can warp to the
other side of the level. Any ghost that follows will be slowed down. If Pac-Man eats a power pellet, then ghosts will also be
slowed down, which gives you time to escape, or enough speed to eat them.
Connecting to the Game Boy Advance is pretty fast, and the menus are fast. Pac-Man having his own screen is the point of
this game, and it was critical to a fun game. The required use of a Game Boy Advance was necessary, even though it may
limit the crowd of who can play. The Game Boy Advance never shows signs of slowdowns, nor does the TV screen. Overall,
the controls are near perfect, no matter how simple.
Graphics

The graphics are very simple, and don't go anywhere out of the
ordinary. There are simple backgrounds; sometimes too simple,
and no special effects. The Game Boy Advance doesn't show any
other colors on the level, other than black and blue, so nothing
great there.
If there's one great thing, it's that the framerate is perfect. The
3D graphics works well, and it takes the simplicity of Pac-Man to
the GCN. There really is nothing outstanding, but there's also
nothing bad to report. The graphics work well, whether you're
looking at the TV with 3D graphics or the Game Boy Advance
with the original graphics. Overall, it just works, although
improvements could have been made.
Replay

This game features only 6 levels, and no unlockables. The original Pac-Man is one of the six levels, which is really cool.
There are three point options, which range from five to twenty minute matches. Points are the only way to play, so don't
expect any time matches. This game's replay really depends on the player wanting to play it more. You also can't play by
yourself, so there is no single-player mode. This is essentially a multiplayer game. This game doesn't give you much to do,
but if you like it, then it's worth playing again, and trying all the levels out.
Design

The design is relatively simple. One player is Pac-Man while the other players control the ghosts. The idea is actually one
of the most innovative I have seen! This game says innovation all over it. Having players control the ghosts makes
Pac-Man so much more fun. Players will have a blast finding ways to trap Pac-Man, run away from him when he eats a
power pellet, and fighting for the fruit.
Using the Game Boy Advance is a screen is half the innovation. You just can't have players knowing where Pac-Man is to
have fun in this game. No worries about 'screen-lookers'. The fun factor is through the roof on this one, and the fact that
it is only multiplayer makes it so addictive. The game does a great job at making the experience go well. Everything seems
fair, although there will be close calls. There are also no connectivity issues, or glitches in this game. This game is just
amazing, and you really have to play it to know what you have been missing.
Scores
Sound

8.8
Control

9.1
Graphics

7.9
Replay

7.6
Design

9.6
8.6
Final Words

Pac-Man vs. is simply one of the best multiplayer games ever made. The lack of replay really brings this score down.
However, I have played this game for probably 7 hours, as well as all the people I've played with. This is probably the best
$20 you can spend. You can find this game sold inside of the Player's Choice version of Pac-Man World 2, so that's two
games for $20, although you'll feel like you're really buying Pac-Man vs., since that's what most people buy this for. This
is also one of the few Namco/Nintendo games that is good. Shigeru Miyamoto is the brains behind this, and that's what
makes this all the better!