Oh boy. Namco has outdone themselves completely with this one. They've taken a beloved icon from the past, blended themes and characters from every aspect of Pac-Man that you will remember, and created the finest game I have seen all year. Let me start with the graphics - excellent in every way possible. The intro FMV has every Pac-related character you can think of, all wrapped into the storyline. They're all going to his 20th Anniversary party. How's that for intertwining a plot with a game's release? Just pay special attention to it, as you'll see a lot of familiar faces and scenery.

The word 'cute' springs to mind, but the attention to detail is just ridiculous (in a really great way). Everything from the reflections on Chrome Pac-Man's surface, to the splashes in the water as Pac runs through a stream, even the strange, glowing force fields that blocks his paths at certain points in the Space Race. Just outstanding. Now, the music - have you ever wanted to hear a reggae rendition of the Pac-Man theme? Well, its here, along with every other possible variation, each matching the level perfectly. Your requisite sound effects are here as well, also excellently done (even the 'waka-waka'). I could go on forever. Just buy this game.

Well, lets see. It scored a 100%. What do you think? Namco has chosen to take the Pac-Man character and create a wonderful new game, with all of the flavor (and some of the gameplay) from the classic we all know and love. Your mission? To save all of your friends, of course. They've been kidnapped by the henchmen of the evil Toc-Man, who thinks he is the real Pac-Man. Of course, you'll see all of that in the intro FMV. During your mission in Quest Mode, you'll see all of the old themes - the fruit is there for you to pick up, but this time, you have to collect it to enter certain protected rooms that hold integral items. I love the way the map is handled too. You are in a courtyard of sorts, on the beach. You can see all of the levels before you, as doors. Choose which to enter and go - and you can always go back to a level you've already completed to pick up goodies you missed earlier. At the end of each level, use the fruit you picked up as an opportunity to play the Pac-Man slot machine for bonus goodies. Games within the game. Very cool. And speaking of, there are points when you are thrown into various themed mazes, and you have to revert back to your old school Pac-Man gameplay. Only it seems those ghosts move faster than they used to. But the ghosts are only a small portion of the wacky enemies you'll encounter. There are also points in gameplay where a switch will be thrown (a la Mario) and pellets will appear, along with ghosts to protect them. Find the power pellet quick enough and wipe them all out.

There is also a Classic Mode, which is just what you'd expect it to be. Classic Pac-Man. Or you can choose to play in Maze Mode, which is similar to Classic Mode, although you have more varied levels and such. Each time you complete a level in Quest Mode, that level will be available for you in Maze Mode. A beautiful blend of the old with the new. Masterfully done, Namco.

Quite challenging, while still remaining an absolute blast. The levels aren't easy, but they are so much fun, that you'll never get frustrated. It'll just have you coming back for more and more and more.

Very tight control on this one. Pac-Man is very easy to control and man, does he come with the moves. He can butt-bounce enemies, throw Pac-dots at them, mow them down with his rev roll, he can bounce his way up to higher levels, when turned into Chrome Pac-Man, he can sink in the water and get to things the normal Pac-Man can't reach. Now how much thought went into that? A Chrome Pac-Man, indestructible and heavy, so he sinks in water. Sheer brilliance. What more can I say? Its always hard to give something a score of 100%, but hey. This is the consummate game of 1999. If you buy one game this holiday season, make it Pac-Man 20th Anniversary. You will be happy you did.