Please support Game Informer. Print magazine subscriptions are less than $2 per issue
Tracking Pac-Man's Pre-Smash Bros. Cameo Appearances
Pac-Man is a hugely important character to the world of video games, but he generally keeps to himself and his own games. Let's take a look at his small collection of cameo appearances.
Super Smash Bros.
With Super Smash Bros. right around the corner (for 3DS, at least) this is the cameo appearance that immediately comes to mind. His inclusion isn't too surprising, considering Bandai Namco helped develop the game, but he's a welcome inclusion. My time with him has proven him to be a fun fighter, and he seems like he will fit right in with the rest of the cast.
Kick
Kick is a Midway developed arcade title from 1981 where players play as a clown riding a unicycle collecting falling balloons. For some reason, it takes place in the middle of the night in the middle of a city street. They can't all be classics. In the game, Pac-Man and his ghosts friends appear alongside the balloons. It would be years before Pac-Man felt comfortable making another cameo.
Mario Kart Arcade GP
I have encountered many who aren't aware of this Mario Kart's existence. The game, developed by Bandai Namco and published by Nintendo, is exclusive to arcades. Two sequels have even released, though the third one hasn't left Japan yet. It plays like a traditional Mario Kart game, but adds photos of the racers, and features Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man as playable racers.
[view:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcML3bZAaa4610:343]
Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational
Titled Everybody's Golf 6 in Japan, Pac-Man was made available as playable golfer via paid DLC. Unfortunately, that DLC never came to North America, but it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility that it could still come, though it is unlikely.
Street Fighter X Tekken
Super Smash Bros. isn't Pac-Man's first foray into the fighting genre. He, alongside Mega-Man, were made available as DLC characters exclusively on PlayStation 3 and Vita. To compensate for his small stature, Pac-Man rides in and controls a mech modeled after the Tekken character, Mokujin.
What are some other games where Pac-Man would fit comfortably?
I’d like to ask you to support Game Informer’s continued coverage of games with a subscription. For less than two dollars per issue, we mail you a full year of 10 print magazines, each with cover stories and preview features filled with exclusive details about the most exciting upcoming games. We profile and interview game creators. We look back on the rich history of gaming, and we celebrate what’s next.
Here on the website, we offer much of our content for free, including game reviews, daily news, videos, event coverage, and more – all with minimal ads.
We do so with a small editorial team, alongside contributing paid writers from around the world – over 65 individuals from 9 countries around the world, just in the last couple of years.
It’s not possible without support.
In a time when game makers and games coverage have faced hard struggles and layoffs, the future of this 30+ year magazine and community is at risk. Our new standalone magazine subscription is the number one way you can keep us alive – and we believe you’ll get a pretty fantastic gaming magazine in your mailbox every few weeks for your trouble.
Thank you.
