Pac & Pal

Pac & Pal

Overview & History

Released by Namco in Japan in 1983, Pac & Pal (alternatively known in North America as Pac-Man & Chomp Chomp) marked a fascinating mechanical departure for the iconic yellow hero. Following the massive success of maze-chasers like Pac-Man and Super Pac-Man, Namco designer Toru Iwatani and his team sought to refresh the formula by introducing a helpful AI companion rather than strictly adversaries. Instead of frantically clearing dots to clear a static board, players are tasked with uncovering items hidden behind card-like flippers scattered across the arena. The game introduced a brand-new sidekick character named Miru (or Chomp Chomp in the localization), a green, dog-like creature with floppy ears who roams the labyrinth. While the arcade cabinet did not achieve the astronomical, runaway ubiquity of the original 1980 title, it holds a beloved cult-classic status today among retro enthusiasts for its whimsical tone, altered scoring priorities, and clever utilization of vertical mazes. It also holds historical significance as one of the first Namco arcade titles to feature distinct mini-games interspersed between regular stages, heavily anticipating the modern bonus round structure.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike traditional maze games, Pac & Pal features a board where all the items are initially hidden under face-down cards. Pac-Man must navigate the grid to flip these cards over, revealing classic Namco merchandise such as Galaxian flagships, Trump cards, dolls, and pedal cars. Once an item is fully exposed, Pac-Man must guide it toward the ghost house in the center of the maze to officially collect it and secure points. However, you aren't doing this alone; your canine pal Miru wanders the board and will occasionally snatch up exposed items, carrying them around the maze. If you intercept Miru, she will drop the item, allowing you to secure it. The classic four ghosts—Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde—still hunt Pac-Man relentlessly, but eating a Power Pellet no longer allows you to consume them directly. Instead, eating a pellet shoots a beam across the maze that temporarily stuns any ghosts in its path, giving you vital breathing room to scoop up items. Furthermore, collecting a special trumpet power-up lets Pac-Man stun enemies and clear pathways even more efficiently. Clearing all items moves the player to the next stage, accompanied by charming, synthesized musical interludes that capture the game's lighter, more playful identity.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move
• Action Keys: Attack / Jump
• Enter: Start / Pause