The original Pac-Man was released in Japanese arcades on May 22, 1980, meaning the iconic ghost-chomping, fruit-eating, maze-running game turns 35 years old later this week. Publisher Bandai Namco is starting the birthday festivities a little early, today updating the the mobile versions of Pac-Man and Pac-Man Lite and revealing plans for a huge party in Chicago later this week.
Pac-Man ($7) and Pac-Man Lite (free) have been updated with a classic-themed user interface. Check out the images below for a closer look at the new visual update.
As for the big birthday bash, it will take place May 22 at Namco’s epic-looking Level 257 Pac-Man restaurant in Chicago. A number of “industry VIPs” will be on-hand at the event, including Pac-Man creator Professor Toru Iwatani and world record holder Billy Mitchell.
Attendees can also enjoy free bowling and arcade games, while they’ll be among the first to play the unreleased mobile game based on the Adam Sandler movie Pixels, which prominently features Pac-Man.
What’s more, the official invitation mentions a “Pac Man Rebooted” game, which could be announced during the event. No other details about the game were provided.
General admission tickets are free through EventBrite, while you can also buy a VIP pass for $35. This premium package comes with drinks, food, and a meet-and-greet with Iwatani and Mitchell.
What’s your favorite Pac-Man memory? Let us know in the comments below.
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