PAC-MAN 256

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,277 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • grinding
PAC-MAN 256 Game Cover
Around a year ago, Pac-Man 256 was released for iOS and Android devices.
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"Pac-Man 256" is an arcade-style game where players navigate an endless maze, avoiding ghosts and using power-ups to combat them. The game features single-player, multi-player, and co-op modes, and encourages players to continuously eat dots to achieve a high score. The game is inspired by the infamous level 256 glitch from the original Pac-Man. Developed by Hipster Whale and 3 Sprockets, the game is available on mobile devices.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Windows Phone
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,277 reviews
gameplay56 positive mentions
story10 negative mentions
  • PAC-MAN 256 offers a fresh twist on the classic Pac-Man formula with endless gameplay and various power-ups.
  • The game is highly addictive and perfect for short bursts of play, making it a great time-killer.
  • Local multiplayer mode allows up to four players to enjoy the game together, enhancing the fun and competitiveness.
  • The grind to unlock and fully upgrade power-ups can be tedious and time-consuming, leading to potential boredom.
  • As a mobile port, the game lacks depth and can feel repetitive after extended play sessions.
  • Some players may find the lack of online multiplayer and limited variety in maze layouts disappointing.
  • gameplay183 mentions

    The gameplay of Pac-Man 256 is a modern twist on the classic formula, featuring endless mazes, various power-ups, and unique ghost behaviors that add depth and strategy. However, many players find the experience repetitive and grindy, especially when pursuing achievements or unlocking upgrades, which can lead to boredom after extended play. Overall, while the game retains the addictive nature of its predecessor, it struggles with pacing and variety, making it best suited for casual play rather than long sessions.

    • “Great addicting arcade game that combines new and familiar gameplay mechanics in an endless maze that you have to keep climbing up or else you die.”
    • “The power-ups introduce exciting gameplay mechanics, such as lasers, tornadoes, and even the ability to turn the tables on the ghosts themselves.”
    • “It's still tried-and-true pac-man gameplay, but the endless maze and new power-ups and ghosts make it feel as fresh as ever.”
    • “Completionist for this game is a bit of a time sink, and the gameplay is obviously repetitive after 10+ hours.”
    • “The problem is that this basic gameplay is really repetitive, so you might get bored easily.”
    • “It is a mobile game port and, like many mobile games, the gameplay is very repetitive and gets boring faster. The only way to keep you playing for longer are unlockable power-ups, but to unlock every one and upgrade them you probably need to play for hundreds of hours and die of boredom in the process.”
  • story79 mentions

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with many reviewers noting that there is no narrative to engage players beyond the basic mechanics of an endless runner. While the inclusion of missions and power-ups adds some variety to gameplay, the lack of a cohesive story or deeper objectives leaves the experience feeling repetitive and grind-heavy. Overall, players seem to agree that the game is fun in short bursts but lacks meaningful storytelling elements.

    • “Learning the patterns of the ghosts and timing taking the fruit score multipliers is fun, and the missions keep the game varied.”
    • “The missions help to change up the focus on the level and compel you to try out different power-ups. Some of them I would not have tried had it not been for the missions.”
    • “Add in the various power-ups and the inventive way in which they assign missions to teach you to use each of them, and it's not your father's Pac-Man.”
    • “Story: 2/10 (they took the 256 reference from the original Pac-Man and made an endless game with it, nothing much)”
    • “This game can get boring after playing for a while as there are no story elements or real objectives to drive you to play more.”
    • “As there's no story, we are jumping straight to graphics.”
  • grinding71 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized, with many players finding the process of unlocking and upgrading power-ups excessively tedious and repetitive. While the core gameplay remains enjoyable, the grind required for achievements and power-ups often detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration and a sense of unnecessary padding. Overall, players recommend the game primarily for those who are prepared for significant grinding, especially if aiming for 100% completion.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The power-up unlocks are extremely grindy.”
    • “I found the built-in grinding to unlock power-ups to be nothing but unnecessary padding as the experience would not be any different with them all unlocked at the outset, but either way the core gameplay is consistently solid and fun.”
    • “To illustrate this, one of the achievements requires you to fully upgrade all power-ups; it is not very hard to do but it requires lots of grinding. You will most probably complete all other achievements way before this one, and it can possibly be your only remaining motive to play. Most players just quit, as this achievement only has about a 1.5% completion rate at the time of this writing.”
  • graphics62 mentions

    The graphics of Pac-Man 256 are generally well-received, featuring a vibrant, retro-inspired aesthetic that pays homage to the original game while incorporating modern 3D elements. Players appreciate the variety offered by 14 different skins and the fluid animations, although some note that the graphics are simple and reminiscent of mobile ports. Overall, the visuals are described as fun and engaging, enhancing the nostalgic experience of the classic gameplay.

    • “The visual style of Pac-Man 256 is a nostalgic treat for fans of the original, while still embracing a modern aesthetic.”
    • “The vibrant and colorful retro-inspired graphics pay homage to the game's roots, invoking a delightful sense of nostalgia.”
    • “Ostensibly, Pac-Man 256 takes the core, classic Pac-Man game, updates its visuals to fit our current HD era, and offers several dozen different skins.”
    • “Graphics are not a big deal, but as I said, it is a port from a mobile game.”
    • “An endless stream of worthless consciousness with unsatisfying goals, excruciating gameplay, and... just... really bad graphics.”
    • “Graphical 'glitches' come across the map in waves, forcing you forward and altering the game ahead of you.”
  • music49 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant lack of background music during gameplay, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the nostalgic sound effects and the intro music, the repetitive nature and absence of a dynamic soundtrack lead to a bland atmosphere, prompting players to prefer listening to their own music instead. Overall, the game's audio elements are seen as underwhelming, with a consensus that the inclusion of more engaging music would enhance the experience.

    • “The soundtrack is really good, with a fantastic OST that enhances the gameplay experience.”
    • “Great music, great sound, colorful, fun graphics, tons of power-ups and variety.”
    • “Music and sound are top notch, making for an enjoyable gaming experience.”
    • “The soundtrack is really meh.”
    • “There's no music while playing.”
    • “It greets you with a really cool remix of the opening, but the actual game has no music, a real bummer especially when playing singleplayer.”
  • monetization44 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been positively received, as it successfully removes all ads and microtransactions present in the mobile version, offering a more enjoyable experience for players. Users appreciate the flat purchase fee, which grants access to the full game without the grind and paywalls typical of freemium models. Overall, the absence of in-game purchases and advertisements enhances the gameplay, making it a solid standalone title.

    • “A great release of a mobile game, with no microtransactions.”
    • “They have removed all the microtransactions which is a welcome feature and have added the option to play multiplayer!”
    • “Flat purchase fee + none of the microtransactions of the mobile version = awesome.”
    • “The game is free on mobiles, and as you might expect, it's filled with ads.”
    • “The microtransactions are thankfully gone in the steam version, but that doesn't make the rather grindy unlocks any more exciting or meaningful.”
    • “The game plays exactly like a crappy mobile phone game and even though the microtransactions have been removed from the steam version, you can still kind of tell where they used to be.”
  • replayability31 mentions

    Overall, the replayability of the game is generally regarded as high, particularly due to its roguelite elements, procedurally generated levels, and competitive score tracking. While some players find it can become stale after unlocking all power-ups or completing achievements, the multiplayer mode and continuous gameplay variations keep it engaging for many. However, a few users noted that the replay value may diminish after extended play sessions, suggesting it serves best as a quick, casual experience.

    • “The roguelite mechanisms add a replayability that I felt hasn't been there in the other versions of this classic.”
    • “It has incorporated the series' staple replayability into its core gameplay philosophy: endless mode.”
    • “There's plenty of replayability due to being able to unlock and upgrade power-ups.”
    • “Overall, Pac-Man 256 has decent replayability for short gaming bursts, but it can get a bit stale once you unlock all the power-ups.”
    • “However, unless you're willing to play this for a short time, there isn't much replayability once you've played this for a few hours other than to hunt achievements.”
    • “It's an attempt to add replay value to the game, but it just kind of showcases how shallow the gameplay can be.”
  • stability17 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag; while it runs well on various platforms and offers an engaging experience with its glitch-inspired mechanics, players report significant bugs that can hinder gameplay. The endless runner format introduces unique challenges, but the presence of glitches can lead to frustrating moments, prompting some users to recommend waiting for fixes before purchasing. Overall, the game's stability is characterized by both innovative design and notable technical issues.

    • “It runs great on my PC and the Steam Deck, so it's perfect for a quick 'pick up and play' session.”
    • “The game maintains a steady frame rate, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.”
    • “I've experienced no crashes or bugs, which makes for a reliable gaming session.”
    • “This could be really fun for quick sessions, but it's so buggy... I wouldn't buy this until they fix the bugs.”
    • “The maze is being slowly destroyed by glitches.”
    • “There are glitches in the game where if you are slow, you die; you move up only.”
  • humor11 mentions

    The humor in the game is consistently praised, with players highlighting its amusing twists on the classic Pac-Man theme and the chaotic fun of multiplayer mode. Many find it entertaining to play with friends or family, particularly enjoying the humorous moments that arise from navigating through a screen filled with ghosts and power-ups. Overall, while some players note its limitations compared to other games, the lighthearted and funny gameplay experience remains a strong point.

    • “Funny little game to play with my 5-year-old son.”
    • “You can revive your friends in the game with a special power-up that appears sometimes, and it can be very funny when the screen is completely full of ghosts, power-ups, and Pac-Men, and you have to navigate through all that.”
    • “Great Pac-Man game, multiplayer is very funny; wish it had online multiplayer too!”
  • optimization7 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization for PC has received mixed reviews, with some users noting that it isn't fully optimized, while others report smooth performance and compatibility with Xbox controllers. There is a consensus that further improvements could enhance the experience, particularly for PC players.

    • “Runs smoothly, looks clean, and works perfectly with Xbox One and Xbox 360 controllers.”
    • “Unlike CE, 256 favors a slow, methodical pace over insane speeds and path optimization.”
    • “The game design isn't at all optimized for PC.”
    • “Can be more optimized for PC.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is largely positive, with players appreciating its wholesome and fun nature, highlighted by creative power-ups. However, some users express a sense of disappointment due to a significant flaw that detracts from the overall experience, leading to mixed feelings.

    • “Wholesome classic video game fun!”
    • “Very wholesome and fun game, definitely recommend :)”
    • “Mostly wholesome goodness, but with one unforgivable flaw deliberately left in.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

Buy PAC-MAN 256

Play time

4hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
2-11hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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