Mr Pacman: free maze games and the complete Pac-Man knowledge base
Play three original maze-chase games instantly, no download or sign-up, then dig into the deepest Pac-Man guides on the web: who built it, how the ghosts think, why level 256 breaks, and how every version compares.
Play free maze games in your browser
Every game on Mr Pacman is built in-house as an original maze-chase title: you control Munch, a cyan bot, through neon corridors while four geometric drones hunt you with distinct personalities. The games run on any phone, tablet or desktop with keyboard, swipe or on-screen controls, and your best score is saved locally on your device. Pick a mode:
Maze Muncher
The classic mode: three lives, four drones, power orbs and a new seeded maze every level.
Time Attack
Sixty seconds on the clock. Every cleared maze adds time, every collision takes it away.
Endless Maze
One life, randomly generated mazes, speed that keeps climbing. How deep can you go?
Want the full list with controls and tips? See play free maze games online.
What does "Mr Pacman" actually mean?
Thousands of people search for "Mr Pacman" every month, usually meaning one of two things: the original 1980 Pac-Man (the "mister" to Ms. Pac-Man's 1982 sequel) or the 1982 Bally pinball machine Mr. & Mrs. Pac-Man. There was never a standalone arcade cabinet called Mr. Pac-Man. We untangle the confusion in mr pacman vs ms pacman, and this site uses the name as a friendly home for everything about the original maze-chase genre.
Learn how the original game really works
Most Pac-Man content online repeats the same three facts. Our guides go deeper, with tile-level ghost targeting, exact point values, speed tables and verified dates. Start with these pillars:
History
From a pizza-slice anecdote in Namco's office to a Guinness record for the most successful coin-op game.
Complete history of Pac-ManGhost AI
Blinky chases, Pinky ambushes, Inky flanks and Clyde dithers. Learn the exact target tiles each ghost uses.
How the ghosts thinkScoring
Dots, power pellets, ghost combos and fruit: every point value and when it appears.
The full scoring systemStrategy
Cornering, pattern play, ghost grouping and the mindset behind a perfect game.
Strategy that raises your scoreLevel 256
Why an 8-bit counter turns the right half of the maze into garbage, and what a perfect score includes.
The kill screen explainedBlog
Speed charts, patterns, ghost profiles, cabinets, collectibles and version comparisons.
Read the latest postsPopular questions answered quickly
- who created pacman — designer Toru Iwatani and the small Namco team behind him.
- when did pacman come out — Japan in May 1980, North America that October.
- pacman ghost names — and why each ghost has three different names.
- pacman perfect score — what 3,333,360 points requires over 256 boards.
- pacman fruit list — cherry to key, with level numbers and values.
- list of pacman games — every official release from 1980 to today.
- blinky the red ghost, pinky the pink ghost, inky the cyan ghost and clyde the orange ghost — one profile per ghost.
Why trust Mr Pacman
The site is written and maintained by one editor, Syed Hamid, who cross-checks every mechanic against the behaviour of the original arcade release and every date against published interviews and press archives. See the our editorial fact checking policy for how corrections are handled, and the trademark and affiliation disclaimer: Mr Pacman is an independent fan and educational site, not affiliated with Bandai Namco.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mr Pacman free to play?
Yes. All three maze games are free, run in the browser and need no account or download. The site is supported by advertising.
Are these the official Pac-Man games?
No. Our games are original maze-chase titles with their own characters, built to celebrate the genre. For official releases, see our every pacman game by year.
Is there a real game called Mr. Pac-Man?
Not as a standalone arcade cabinet. People use the name for the original 1980 Pac-Man or for the 1982 Mr. & Mrs. Pac-Man pinball table. Our comparison page explains the difference.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. Swipe anywhere on the maze or use the on-screen arrows. Scores are saved on your device.
Which guide should I read first?
If you are new, start with how to play, then ghost names and ghost AI. Experienced players usually jump to strategy, scoring and the perfect-score guide.