Pac-Man Championship Edition 2

- Reviewed on PS4 -

Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 released on September 13th, 2016.

Developed by Namco, this sequel takes the classic arcade gameplay of Pac-Man and ramps it up with faster-paced, more intricate mazes, intense music, and some fresh mechanics designed to modernize the experience. 

It’s a fun, accessible title that anyone—from longtime fans to newcomers—can pick up and enjoy. 

That said, it doesn’t quite have the lasting power to keep me glued for hours at a time.

This review WILL have Major Spoilers so keep that in mind before continuing...

At its heart, Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 is a love letter to the original Pac-Man formula. 

You’re still navigating mazes, gobbling up pellets, chasing after fruit bonuses, and dodging—or chasing—ghosts. 

But the updated mazes add layers of complexity with new pathways and multiple screens connected in surprising ways. 

The visuals are slick, with neon-lit corridors and a modernized aesthetic that still feels nostalgic.

However, despite these cool upgrades, I found it took me a little while to really get into the groove. 

Part of that is personal preference—I just have a limited attention span for this style of game—but part of it is the way the game is designed. 

After a couple of rounds, the novelty wears off for me, and I’m ready to move on to something with a bit more variety or story.

Which brings me to what I think is the game’s biggest strength: the music. 

I’m not typically one for electronic or synth-heavy soundtracks, but Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 nailed it. 

The soundtrack feels perfectly timed with the gameplay, building intensity as the clock ticks down and the difficulty ramps up. 

It adds an adrenaline-pumping energy that makes those frantic chases, and tight escapes feel even more exciting.

The game features two main modes (not including the tutorial) that offer slightly different experiences.

Score Attack is my favorite. It’s pure arcade style: try to get the highest score possible, beat your own records, and climb through ranks represented by letter grades. 

The mode shines because of its customization. 

You can unlock and choose from different maze layouts, backgrounds, and character styles. 

This adds a bit of personal flair and replay value, keeping each session feeling a little different.

Adventure Mode is more goal oriented. 

You complete objectives and earn stars to unlock boss levels. 

While I haven’t explored this mode extensively, it seems to add some structure to the classic gameplay loop, which could be a good hook for players looking for more progression and challenge.

Another neat addition is that the game bundles in three classic arcade titles...

    - Pac-Man

    - Dig Dug

    - Galaga

Each one comes with its own trophy and achievement system, which is a nice nod to arcade history and gives fans more bang for their buck.

Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 is a solid arcade revival with some thoughtful improvements over the original formula. 

It’s easy to pick up, challenging to master, and accompanied by an electrifying soundtrack that keeps the energy high. 

But for me personally, it falls short of becoming a long-term obsession. 

If you love classic arcade games or want a quick dose of fast-paced maze chasing, it’s worth a try—but don’t expect to lose yourself in it for hours on end.

Pros: 

    - The electronic soundtrack is a perfect match for the gameplay and really elevates the experience

    - Tutorials help ease new players into the mechanics without frustration

    - Unlockable trophies and achievements across multiple games add extra incentive to keep playing

    - Customization options in Score Attack mode 

Cons:

    - The gameplay loop gets repetitive fairly quickly

    - Only two main gameplay modes limit variety

My Rating for Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 (on PS4):

3 / 5

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Disclaimer

All Reviews, Ratings, Pros, Cons, and Opinions Shared on this Blog (Press A Reviews) are my (Connor Butler) own Thoughts and Feelings.