Pac-Man 99 Reviews
A lack of any kind of tutorial is frustrating at first, but once you get the hang of the action, it's a fun way to fill lulls in your day
I’m still often confused about what’s going on, and why, but it’s impressive how the bones of Pac-Man fit so neatly into a battle royale experience, with so much thought put into the use of intel and basic strategy that the skill ceiling is currently hard to fathom. Then there’s the fact that you can have the whole game loaded and be in a full match in just a minute or two. The result is both confounding and empowering. When I win, it’s of course due to my skill, and when I lose?
The bloodshot, eye-widening surprise may not be as extreme here, but Pac-Man 99 is just as tense a competitive prospect its Tetris counterpart was in 2019.
PAC-MAN 99 may seem initially daunting with mechanics it simply doesn't explain but once you experiment and learn by fire, it won't take long to realise its true potential. Arika and Bandai Namco has barely touched the formula of this 41-year-old classic, and yet with just a few new layers it feels like a brand new game. We've invested more time than we care to admit into the previous '99' entries and it's clear PAC-MAN 99 is destined for evergreen greatness.
PAC-MAN 99 is another hit for Arika, this time with one of the most iconic arcade games of all time. It’s a bit surprising just how well Pac-Man fits into the 99-player battle royale format, but that’s just a testament to the work done by the developers. PAC-MAN 99 has me excited for whatever the developer’s put out next.
Ultimately, Pac-Man 99 doesn't stand up to the instant fun of Tetris 99, but it's better than Super Mario 35 and serves as a worthy addition to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription. The paid modes will be great when the game inevitably goes offline, but feel superfluous in the now. Those looking to expand their game will likely find more use out of grabbing a few skins individually than grabbing the whole bundle, but the free-to-play option will be the best deal for most players.
Overall I’m really enjoying Pac-Man 99. It’s a great pick-up and play title for when you have just a couple of minutes and are looking for something to do. The gameplay is fast-paced, competitive, and surprisingly addicting. If you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, there’s no reason not to give the game a shot.
Pac-Man 99 is destined to become your latest addiction. Whether it's one match or ten matches in the same session, this is a pure pick-up-and-play title. The legendary Pac-Man gameplay is presented with a modern twist that is sure to leave fans happy. While the gameplay mechanics could have been explained better and the offline modes shouldn't have been locked behind a paywall, Pac-Man 99 is a fantastic reason to keep booting up your Switch. It's only been two weeks, and I can't imagine my Switch without Pac-Man 99 installed.
Despite the steep learning curve and the hubbub about single-player paywalls, the pure enjoyment of every new Pac-Man 99 game stands tall above all. Whether you are itching for one short session or a marathon of close calls and satisfactory victory, this battle royale cannot come recommended enough.
On the Nintendo eShop you can buy cosmetic changes to the stage and backgrounds, but you can also unlock the 3 other modes. CPU Battle – Compete against 98 CPU players. Score Attack – Beat the high score. Blind Attack – Clear the stage before time runs out. Extra content but not worth it unless you really want those modes. Price depends on your region.
Pac-Man 99 follows deftly in the footsteps of Nintendo's Tetris 99 to provide a near-perfect multiplayer Pac experience.
The core gameplay is solid and enjoyable, the optional extras are worthwhile and fun if you’re a retro gaming enthusiast — and they won’t be missed if you’re not — and the whole package is a great addition to the Switch’s library. I suspect people will still be playing this for quite some time to come yet, if Tetris 99’s enduring popularity is anything to go by!
Pac-Man 99 is not only an excellent battle royale game; it's also a lovely homage to all things Namco with tons of charming themes to play with. Throw in some clever single player challenge modes and you're left with one impressive package.
I’m still regularly confounded about what’s happening, and why, yet it’s amazing how the bones of Pac-Man fit so flawlessly into a fight royale experience.
All in all, while PacMan 99 is not fundamentally different from its older brother, I still found it to be a blast. And I highly recommend trying it to see how you like it. I really don’t think I’ll never return to Tetris 99 after this because when I play this game, it’s my time to shine.
Pac-Man 99, as a fun and free download, manages to live up to its predecessors while standing as one of the better Pac-Man releases of recent memory. It’s addictive and perfect for quick sessions, though it’s easy to see all it has to offer just as fast.
Pac-Man 99 is recommended for anyone who wants to be a little distracted and have fun in sparse moments of the day, but not for those who are fans of maze games who are interested in training for hours and improving their skills in online competitions, since, as stated, matches depend a lot on luck, although the improvement of skills also contributes to the performance in matches and the training is not in vain.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Pac-Man 99, the new Nintendo Switch Online exclusive, seeks to follow in the footsteps of the battle royale retro games that preceded it. And that’s not unreasonable! A game like this needs classic, addictive action at its core, and Pac-Man is certainly that.
The game was developed based on "Pac-Man" and is attractive because it is intuitive and is easy for anyone to get used to it without any explanation. The unique value of masterpiece classic games remains intact, but it’s difficult to find new innovative elements.
Review in Korean | Read full review