Bandai Namco is celebrating its 43rd anniversary this year. PAC-MAN The series is collaborating with LEGO to release its own set. This set evokes the nostalgic era of arcade machines and even includes some mechanical and electrical features.
The new LEGO set depicts an arcade version of PAC-MAN, in which some of the game's moves can be recreated. Additionally, large, colorful brick-built versions of PAC-MAN, BLINKY, and CLYDE can be created to rotate on a pedestal or display on the arcade machine. Furthermore, a depiction of a female minifigure playing PAC-MAN on an arcade machine is hidden inside the cabinet, and there's even a real coin slot with a light-up mechanism.
The video game PAC-MAN was released in Japan on May 22, 1980, by Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (formerly Namco) and has since become a cultural icon. The collaboration with LEGO demonstrates, among other things, that PAC-MAN's famous yellow color was inspired by the LEGO Group's signature color.
With over 2600 pieces, the PAC-MAN set is primarily aimed at adult LEGO builders and has the potential to become a true cult set.
FUN FACTS about PAC-MAN
Ahead of the release of the PAC-MAN LEGO set, Bandai Namco has compiled some fun facts:
- The first focus test for [unclear] was conducted on May 22, 1980. PAC-MAN carried out, during which the public first saw the yellow character.
- PAC-MAN is yellow because the designer, Mr. Iwatani, was inspired by the characteristic yellow of the LEGO brick.
- The character's shape is based on a pizza with a slice missing.
- The game was released in Japan on June 29, 1980 – before it was available to the rest of the world.
- In the 80s, a PAC-MAN Cartoon broadcast on television.
- Buckner & Garcia have the hit single “PAC-MAN released "Fever", which reached number 9 on Billboard's Hot 100 charts in March 1982.
- Billy Mitchell from Florida was the first person to achieve a perfect Game Score of 3.333.360 points in 1993. To achieve a perfect score, one had to complete all 256 levels without a single mistake and consume all PAC-DOTs, fruits, and ghosts (using every POWER PELLET).
- In recognition of the publication of PAC-MAN In 1980, with 293.822 arcade units installed within 7 years, the game was recognized by Guinness World Records as the "most successful coin-operated game" in the world.
LEGO VIP members can already purchase the LEGO PAC-MAN Arcade Set starting June 1, 2023. LEGO.com/PAC-MAN and can be purchased in LEGO Stores; from June 4th, 2023, it will be available in stores for €269,99 (RRP). The price is certainly quite high, but it reflects LEGO's recent trend of significantly increasing the prices of their sets.
