Pac-Man Vs. | DJcube

Can you catch Pac-Man?

JP release: 27th November 2003
NA release: 2nd December 2003
EU release: 2nd April 2004
Developer: Nintendo, Namco
Publisher: Namco
NGC Magazine Score: 80%
Mods Used: Widescreen Hack

This game was designed from the ground up to showcase one possible and unique use of the GBA to GameCube connectivity, and one that only requires one GBA instead of a whopping four. This concept is very much an early Wii U, which makes it extremely strange that this was as never released on the Wii U – the console designed around this concept – yet ended up releasing on the Switch, in a format that requires two Switches. A reverse version of this was even the basis of a minigame in Nintendoland.

The concept is simple: one player controls Pac-Man in a classic arcade game and the other three control the ghosts chasing them. The Pac-Man player uses the GBA and sees the full maze (in the exact style of the original) while the ghosts use the TV and see a tiny section, although this is presented in nicer 3D graphics. When the maze is cleared or Pac-Man is caught, play passes on to the next player until a target point has been reached. It’s a simple idea, but is great fun.

There isn’t a great deal to the game, with only a few different mazes and no extra modes. Mario provides commentary, which is annoying, difficult to understand and very out of place. In terms of emulation, I did have to find some software which let me use my phone as a second screen, but I was able to replicate the correct setup to experience the game fully, although only with two players. It’s simple, but good fun.

Fun

In the right circumstances, and with all the required elements, Pac-Man Vs is unbridles enjoyment. And that’s what mattes. But now, Nintendo, after providing us with this baffling exquisite little novelty, why don’t you show us what you can really do?
Jes Bickham, NGC Magazine #90

Remake or remaster?

All this needed was a Wii U release.

Official Ways to get the game

This is available on the Switch version of Namco Museum. It requires two Switch consoles to play fully, but does have a new mode where Pac-Man is played by the computer.