Arcade Classics: Ms. Pac-Man (also known as just Ms. Pac-Man in some releases) is a series of electronic handheld games based on the original Ms. Pac-Man arcade game. The handhelds were released by Basic Fun as part of the "Arcade Classics" line in 2018. A related set of Arcade Classics: Pac-Man handhelds were also released.
Two different models of Arcade Classics: Ms. Pac-Man were produced. The first version is a VFD-based LCD game; the second version is a more proper port based on Sunplus/Generalplus hardware.
Overview[]
VFD port[]
The VFD-based port of Ms. Pac-Man (and its colorized variant) is conceptually based on the Ms. Pac-Man Coleco Tabletop; though it is programmed entirely from scratch. It is a rather close port of the arcade original, particularly given the limitations of the hardware.
Unlike the Pac-Man handheld from the series, Fruits appear in the Ms. Pac-Man port, behaving similarly to the Coleco Tabletop. This port also features three intermissions/"Acts"; these are original sequences compared to the arcade cutscenes, likely due to technical limitations. All music and sound effects are sampled directly from the original arcade game, resulting in higher-quality audio than most comparable LCD games.
Sunplus port[]
The Sunplus-based "Arcade Classics" port of Ms. Pac-Man is a closer adaption of the original game. The port features several notable differences compared to the original arcade version:
- The game does not feature the animated opening sequence, instead featuring a static title screen showing the Ms. Pac-Man logo.
- Pushing start on the title screen will lead to an empty maze, seemingly to mimic the starting display of the LCD/VFD version. Pressing start again will play a coin-inserting sound and begin the game.
- All graphics are downscaled and redrawn compared to the original game.
- The fruit order is incorrect, with the Apple appearing on level 2 instead of level 5; shifting the other fruits in order by 1.
- Bouncing fruits will disappear in the middle of the maze. In the original game, the fruits enter and exit from a side tunnel, never disappearing outright.
List of models[]
Two models were released under different numerical IDs; both of them are shaped like miniature arcade machines. They are effectively identical in artwork design, though have different cabinet shapes compared to each other.
- Ms. Pac-Man (09614) - VFD version released in 2018; blister packaging. It was available through multiple online and retail outlets.
- Arcade Classics #11: Ms. Pac-Man (09615) - Sunplus version released in 2018; boxed packaging. It was Walmart-exclusive. Later reissued in different packaging (under the same ID).
Trivia[]
- Some early models of the "Walmart" version - rather than using a Sunplus chip - appear to use a Famiclone chipset, and instead run the 1993 NES version of Ms. Pac-Man. This variant is seemingly very uncommon, and further details surrounding it are unknown. [citation needed]
- The 1993 NES version would later be included on the similar Ms. Pac-Man Micro Player tabletop by My Arcade.