New Pac-Man Mazes Coming to 360

via Kotaku


It looks like that "big" Microsoft news from the Pac-Man championship tournament finally hit today.

Namco game designer Toru Iwatani created a new edition of Pac Man for the Xbox 360, due to hit Live tomorrow for 800 points. Pac-Man Championship Edition will feature the first new mazes for the game in 26 years.

Championship Edition will feature six modes:


The Championship Mode. This is the main game mode designed by NAMCO BANDAI Games and Iwatani specifically for the championship round of the Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship. This mode - as well as all others within the "Pac-Man Championship Edition" - features redesigned mazes with wide maze walls and a widescreen configuration to better enable high-speed game play. Timed limit of five minutes.

Challenge Mode 1 (Patience and Reward Course). This mode is an evolution of the Championship Mode. Patience mazes strategically offer fewer Power Pellets and Reward mazes provide a large number of Power Pellets - providing unique challenges and rewards for the player. Timed limit of 10 minutes.

Challenge Mode 2 (The Darkness Course). In this mode, only the area directly around Pac-Man and the Ghosts is visible and the maze walls are completely hidden. Timed limit of 10 minutes.

Extra Mode 1 (The Freeway Course). An extremely high-speed mode for advanced players, this mode features warp-speed Pac-Man and Ghosts and plenty of tunnels. Timed limit of five minutes.

Extra Mode 2 (The Manhattan Course). A mode inspired by the streets of Manhattan -- the home for the first-ever Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship. Timed limit of five minutes.

Extra Mode 3 (The Overall Course). A mix of all other modes resulting in extreme mazes for the most devout Pac-Man fans. Timed limit of 10 minutes.

Yes, that's really it. Pac Man, but with new mazes. I told you it wasn't that big a deal.