There are very few gaming gaming characters as instantly recognizable across all of popular culture as Mario or Sonic the Hedgehog, but Bandai Namco’s Pac-Man is one of them. The yellow fruit-eating circle’s iconic “waka-waka” eating soundbite is one of the most recognizable sounds in gaming. Debuting in 1980 in arcades (a full year ahead of Mario himself), Pac-Man is celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2025, although he’s sporting a very different look.
To commemorate the occasion, Bandai Namco is taking Pac-Man to uncharted territory, far away from its family-friendly roots. The puck-shaped icon is now born again in the grimdark 2D action-platformer, Shadow Labyrinth.
Announced at The Game Awards 2024, Shadow Labyrinth gives Pac-Man an edgier, more mature makeover more in line with other Bandai…
