Arcade 1Up is bringing one of the most popular arcade games of all time to people’s homes. The home arcade cabinet company announced Thursday that it plans to release aMs. Pac-Man machine this holiday season.
The game, which Arcade1Up says has been the most sought-after by its customer base for years, is one of four releases coming in 2020.Big Buck Hunter Pro(its first light-gun-based shooting game),X-Men vs. Street Fighter,andMarvel Pinballare all due later this year.
As is typical withArcade1Upsystems, the premiere games will be bundled with other titles. In addition toMs. Pac-Man, buyers will also getGalaxian, Pac-Mania,andPac-Man Plus. TheBig Buck Hunter Prodevice (with two rifles) will also includeBig Buck World, Big Buck Hunter Open Season,andBig Buck: Safari Outback,whileX-Men vs. Street Fighterwill come withX-Men: Children of the Atom, X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse,andMarvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes.
While there are plenty of digital versions ofMs. Pac-Man, this is the first arcade cabinet version to be made since 1981, according to Arcade 1Up. The game was a huge hit upon its release, and many considered it to be a better game than the iconic original, adding new mazes, new characters, and new A.I. for the ghosts.
Ironically, the game was first designed as a knockoff of the originalPac-Manand was namedCrazy Otto. Fearing a copyright suit, the creators decided to first seek approval from Pac-Man’s U.S. distributor Bally Midway. Officials at the game giant were so impressed that they boughtCrazy Otto, replaced the characters with licensed ones, and added in a few charming cut scenes. And the sequel was born.
WhileMs. Pac-Mancertainly is the most well-known game of the announcement, modders might be more excited aboutBig Buck WorldandX-Men vs. Street Fighter. Arcade1Up machines are especially popular with enthusiasts who like to hack the systems and use the machines to play many more arcade games than are initially included, using ROMs they download online.
The light guns ofBig Buck Worldopen several arcade shooters up to resourceful modders. And the multiple buttons and two-player configuration ofX-Men vs. Street Fightermake it a natural for one-on-one games.
