Pac-Man turns 30!

[TX3RN0BILL]

Yes, it is true, the game that I've lost my gaming virginity with, is actually older than me, by a little over a year...

 

And for once, this little generic link has an interesting main image to it!

 

http://www.google.com

 

 

[Slartibartfast]

Okay thats one to make me feel old again...

[ONETINSOLDIER]

you know you can play it, right?

[+MigBuster]

Yeah still no good at it 30 yrs later!

 

fantastic idea to put it on the page though

[Von Paulus]

And to think that the main inspiration for the Pac-Man's visual profile, was a margerita pizza with a slice removed.

In a certain way, Iwatani, was touched by geniality.

The history of video/computing gaming is filled with example like that. Those were the times where video game concepts and hardware were created out of nothing.

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/article550758.ece

[+Fubar512]

Pacman and Ms Pacman made my partners and myself a steady earning up until 1990 or so. At one point (around 1985), we had something on the order of 11 Pacman machines in our inventory, making us money, a Quarter at a time.

 

The two games that really started it all though, were Space Invaders and Asteroids, in 1978 and 1979. And, even before that time, lets us not forget Space Wars (1976 or 77).

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Invaders

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteroids_(video_game)

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Wars

Edited May 21, 2010 by Fubar512

[Von Paulus]

 

The two games that really started it all though, were Space Invaders and Asteroids, in 1978 and 1979. And, even before that time, lets us not forget Space Wars (1976 or 77).

 

 

http://en.wikipedia..../Space_Invaders

 

http://en.wikipedia....ds_(video_game)

 

http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Space_Wars

 

... and Pong.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pong

[+JediMaster]

In less than a week, there's another 30th anniversary milestone...the release of the Star Wars sequel, the Empire Strikes Back!

I'd never seen lines for a movie that long before or since.

[Caesar]

Well, happy 30th to Pac Man! We've actually got a Mrs. Pac Man stand up here in the break room of the radar. Still fun after many years.

[+Fubar512]

In less than a week, there's another 30th anniversary milestone...the release of the Star Wars sequel, the Empire Strikes Back!

I'd never seen lines for a movie that long before or since.

 

JM, I caught that one on the Tuesday after it first opened, at an 11:00 AM viewing. Kids were still in school at the time, and most adults were supposed to be at work (my schedule back then had me working weekends, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays off). Despite the hour and the day of the week, the theater was still packed, though there was no line to see it when I got there.

Edited May 21, 2010 by Fubar512

[Lt. James Cater]

"I GOT PAC MAN FEVER! PAC MAN FEVER! IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY! DRIVING ME CRAZY! PAC MAN FEVER! PAC MAN FEVER! IT'S DRIVING ME WILD! DRIVING ME WILD!"

 

Actually, i was really lousy at Pac Man. Tempest was my best game, followed by Red Baron, Battlezone and Tailgunner. I was also pretty good at Tron Deadly Discs.

[dsawan]

What about Defender and Star Wars arcade game for the Atari 2600, although the arcade version was the best. Wonder how much the actual star wars arcade machine is worth today.

[Von Paulus]

Defender and Robotron... they are true classics. Probably the best ever arcades.

Eugene Jarvis knew is business.

[Caesar]

What about Defender and Star Wars arcade game for the Atari 2600, although the arcade version was the best. Wonder how much the actual star wars arcade machine is worth today.

 

Playing Defender on my Atari today reminds me that the VCS/2600 had some ports that went pretty well, and others that did not. Verily, the first Defender didn't look as good as its arcade counterpart, but was still pretty fun to play. If you ever get the chance, plug in Defender II and you'll be surprised at how good it looks and plays; doesn't flicker nearly as much as the first game, and better simulates the terrain, player and enemies of the arcade machine.

 

Relating more to the original subject, Pac-Man was one of those ports that, to me, did not work well. Aside from looks, it just feels different and somewhat sloppy. Now Ms. Pac-Man's port was pretty faithful, given the limitations of the VCS/2600, and I still enjoy playing that on the Atari. Space Invaders is loads of fun, either in a stand up machine or on the Atari, IMHO.

[+JediMaster]

Oh, the 2600 port of Pacman was AWFUL. The sounds and music were so pathetic, it sounded like the console was DYING.

[FalconC45]

Oh, the 2600 port of Pacman was AWFUL. The sounds and music were so pathetic, it sounded like the console was DYING.

 

Agree about that but the most awful games on 2600 was ET and Yar's Revenge.

 

 

Falcon