My Played Video Games Review: Pac-Attack for the Super Nintendo

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Pac-Attack, which is also known as Pac-Panic, is a fun, puzzle video game that was released in 1993. It was developed and published by Namco for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis. Additionally, versions of the game were made available for the Game Boy, Game Gear, and Philips CD-i.

The SNES had some interesting puzzle games. But they are few and mostly overshadowed by other great SNES titles.

The game is actually an outright clone of another Namco arcade game called "Cosmo Gang: The Puzzle". (Image source)

The Story

Pac-Attack draws its inspiration from the beloved arcade game Pac-Man. It combines elements from Pac-Man with those of the widely popular game Tetris, resulting in an excellent fusion of gameplay mechanics.

Box, manual and cartridge of the game. (Image source)

The Graphics and Sound

Considering that Pac-Attack is a Super Nintendo game and not a PlayStation title, it is important to set realistic expectations. The graphics are average, meaning they don't have any noticeable glitches, gaps, or graphical errors. The visuals are smooth, but they lack excitement and could have been more engaging.

Given that it was released in 1993 for the SNES, the sound quality is understandable but falls short. The sounds can be a bit cheesy, and the music tends to repeat for extended periods, which can become quite annoying.

Gameplay video sample of Pac-Attack. Watch in 360p for near TV resolution of that time.

The Gameplay

In this game, pieces similar to Tetris fall from above, but they consist of three blocks in an L shape. Your objective is to fill up entire rows to make them disappear, just like in Tetris. However, unlike Tetris, there are no overhangs, so if you place an upside-down L, the overhanging piece will fall to the bottom. The unique twist is that some of these falling pieces contain ghosts that hinder your progress. Pac-Man occasionally falls down with the pieces, allowing you to eat the ghosts and clear the lines. Unfortunately, this gimmick doesn't add to the enjoyment of the game. It feels forced and takes away from the core mechanics that made Tetris engaging.

The lack of fun extends to the gameplay itself. The challenge is sporadic, with unpredictable speed variations. It's difficult to anticipate Pac-Man's movements, but this may be due to a lack of interest in learning patterns. Strategy seems pointless as success depends more on the random pieces you receive rather than skill. This lack of depth and meaningful decision-making makes it hard to stay engaged, even after several attempts.

The game includes a puzzle mode where you must eliminate ghosts using a limited number of Pac-Men. However, the randomness of falling blocks undermines the puzzle mode's potential for enjoyment and purpose.

Overall, there isn't much else to mention as the game falls short in terms of fun and challenge. Replay value is passable, and the puzzle mode suffers from the same lack of purpose and excitement as the main game. With no additional modes except for multiplayer, which may not be worth showcasing, the game's flaws seep through every aspect, making it hard to recommend or find much value in it.

My Verdict

I may sound critical, but I'm not saying Pac-Attack is a terrible game. It's just not good. There are no technical issues, but there's nothing that makes it satisfying to play. It's simply average. Developer Namco made an effort, but the game's basic concept doesn't stand out compared to other similar games. There are much better options. So if you really want to try it, then go ahead.

Play it on the wonderful Super Nintendo or play it on a good emulator.

Let's keep on gaming in the free world!