Pac-Man’s battle royale game may be closing, but the legacy of the spherical yellow dot chomper lives on – now in Lego form.
Lego announced Monday that Pac-Man would be getting the brick treatment in a brand new arcade set. The build emulates a classic arcade machine, complete with Pac-Man’s classic maze, a joystick, and a coin slot (but don’t worry: no actual quarters are needed to enjoy it). The set also comes with a miniature diorama of an 80s gamer dominating the arcade and a larger set of Pac-Man, Blinky and Clyde to decorate the cabinet. A crank on the machine also allows builders to simulate gameplay.
Lego is no stranger to nostalgic plays, with sets to come Batman returns, the Indiana Jones movies and the king of side-scrolling himself, Mario, but the Pac-Man set is an interesting twist on the format – both a loving tribute to the Pac-Man character and design and the arcade-style experience. Fans of Lego’s recent Nintendo Entertainment System and Atari 2600 redux will probably jump on this one.
Photos: Lego
“We are always looking for new and exciting ways to bring classic gaming experiences to life,” said Sven Franic, Lego designer in a press release. “Our team of talented designers have worked tirelessly to capture the essence of the beloved PAC-MAN arcade machine in brick form, from PAC-MAN itself to the colorful, maze-like environment in which it lives. Every detail has been carefully considered and crafted resulting in a unique LEGO creation that captures the magic of the original game while adding a playful new twist and a few Easter eggs – in true video game style. We are excited to share this incredible build with the world and can’t wait to see how much fun it brings to fans of all ages.”
Lego timed the announcement to the game’s 43rd anniversary; Pac man (or Puck Man as it was called) was first released on May 22, 1980 by Namco (now Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc). Years later, the little guy is still recognizable to new generations of gamers, even if they don’t meet him and his wife Pac-Mom (née Mrs. Pac-Man) in local pizzerias. Times change, but Pac-Man remains.
Lego’s Pac-Man Arcade set retails for $269.99. VIP Early Access to the set begins June 1, with general pre-orders starting June 4.