Pac-Man guides: history, mechanics and strategy explained
A structured library of researched articles about the 1980 arcade original and its descendants, organised by topic so you can go from beginner to perfect-game theory in order.
Start here: history and origins
Complete history
The pillar article: 1979 development, 1980 launch, the American boom and the franchise today.
Full history of Pac-ManThe creator
Toru Iwatani, the Namco team and the design goals that made the game approachable.
Who created Pac-ManRelease dates
Japan, North America and the first home ports, with the dates that get mixed up.
When Pac-Man came outThe name
Paku-paku, Puck Man, and the vandalism worry that forced a rename for the West.
Why it is called Pac-ManPop culture
The Billboard hit, the cartoon, the merchandise wave and the modern revivals.
Pac-Man Fever explainedEvery game
A dated list of official releases from the arcade original to current titles.
List of Pac-Man gamesMechanics: how the game really works
How to play
Rules, controls, the goal of each board and what the intermissions mean.
How to play Pac-ManGhost names
Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde, plus their Japanese and nickname forms.
Pac-Man ghost namesPower pellets
Frightened timers by level, blue-ghost speeds and when energizers stop working.
Power pellets explainedCharacters
Every recurring character across the arcade games, spin-offs and cartoons.
Pac-Man charactersScoring, records and the end of the game
Scoring
Point values for dots, pellets, ghost chains and fruit, with the per-board maximum.
Pac-Man scoring systemReference
Keep the pacman glossary of terms open while you read, and check the pacman frequently asked questions for one-paragraph answers. Comparisons and single-topic deep dives live on the mr pacman blog articles. When you are ready to put theory into practice, go all free maze games on the mr pacman browser maze games.
Frequently asked questions
In what order should I read the guides?
History first for context, then how to play, ghost names, ghost AI, power pellets and scoring. Finish with strategy, level 256 and the perfect-score guide.
How are facts verified?
Mechanics are checked against the behaviour of the original 1980 arcade release and dates against published interviews and press archives; see our editorial policy.
Will more guides be added?
Yes. New articles are added regularly and dated at the top of each page.