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Pac-Man's Pixel Bash

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Pac-Man's Pixel Bash is an arcade multi-game compilation released in 2018 by Bandai Namco Amusement America.

Pac-Man's Pixel Bash is connected to a series of Pac-Man anniversary machines, somewhat acting as a commemoration for Pac-Man's 40th anniversary (though Pixel Bash's original release predated the anniversary itself). It is the successor to Pac-Man's Arcade Party from 2010.

A number of variants of this machine have been released under altered names and forms: this includes Pac-Man's Pixel Bash Edition: Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga, Pac-Man's Pixel Bash For Charity, and Pac-Man's Pixel Bash: 45th Anniversary Edition, among others.

Overview[]

Pac-Man's Pixel Bash appears to use similar emulation to the 2017 version of Pac-Man's Arcade Party. This results in some games playing their audio at a slightly higher pitch, including the original Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man. Unlike prior anniversary cabinets, Pixel Bash does not appear to feature a "continue" option for any of the included games, nor does it contain "speed-up chip" game modes.

Games[]

Pac-Man's Pixel Bash features the following games across all machine models:

  • Pac-Man (1980)
  • Super Pac-Man (1982)
  • Pac-Man Plus (1982)
  • Pac & Pal (1983)
  • Pac-Mania (1987)
  • Galaxian (1979)
  • King & Balloon (1980)
  • Rally-X (1980)
  • Bosconian (1981)
  • Galaga (1981)
  • New Rally-X (1981)
  • Dig Dug (1982)
  • Xevious (1982)
  • Mappy (1983)
  • Gaplus (1984)
  • Grobda (1984)
  • Super Xevious (1984)
  • The Tower of Druaga (1984)
  • Baraduke (1985)
  • Dig Dug II (1985)
  • Dragon Buster (1985)
  • Metro-Cross (1985)
  • Motos (1985)
  • Sky Kid (1985)
  • Hopping Mappy (1986)
  • Rolling Thunder (1986)
  • Sky Kid Deluxe (1986)
  • Dragon Spirit (1987)
  • Galaga ‘88 (1987)
  • Splatterhouse (1988)
  • Rompers (1989)

Machines that are "home version" models, or are otherwise set to "Free Play" mode, also include Ms. Pac-Man (1982). The game is removed from the menu under coin-operated play due to the legal issues surrounding the property; whereas arcade machines without coin slots are void of the game's royalties. Titles that were originally in horizontal resolution are letterboxed in vertical resolution.

Machine models[]

Numerous different Pac-Man's Pixel Bash machine models have been produced, for both arcade and home use:

  • Original model (2018) - uses a near-identical form factor to the original Bally Midway cabinets. Only released as a "coin-op" model.
  • "Cabaret" model (2018): uses a smaller cabinet design (standing approx. 8.5" shorter) with a sunken-in marquee. Only released as a "home version" model without a coin slot; features an "imitation" molded coin slot with no functionality.
  • "Chill" model (2018): Based on the "cabaret" machine in shape, but replaces its faux-coin slot area with a mini fridge; two cupholders are placed below the joystick panel.
  • "Cocktail" model (version 1, 2018): a sit-down cocktail table model, featuring two sets of joysticks on opposite sides. Uses the same base cabinet as the cocktail versions of Pac-Man 25th Anniversary and Pac-Man's Arcade Party. Available in woodgrain or black-painted finish. Seemingly only released as a "home version" model.
  • "Cocktail" model (version 2, 2020): replaced the prior cocktail model in production; uses a revised cabinet design with a glass top, closer in design to the original Bally Midway machines. Available in woodgrain, black-painted, or "estate grey" finish. Released as both "coin-op" and "home" models, with home versions being produced first.
  • "Bistro" model (2020): a sit-down cabinet similar to the "cocktail" model, but with slimmed-down dimensions. Released as both "coin-op" and "home" models, with home versions being produced first.

The following models use heavily altered designs and/or branding, but are still functionally identical to Pac-Man's Pixel Bash in software:

  • Pac-Man's Pixel Bash: Arcade Neon Ver. (2022): uses artwork based on the neon-lighted 2010s merchandising artwork for Pac-Man. "Cabaret"-based in shape; only released as a "home version" model.
  • Pac-Man's Pixel Bash Edition: Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga (2024): uses artwork based on the original Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga anniversary machine from 2001. Based on the standard cabinet in shape; only released as a "home version" model (making this version the only standup, non-cabaret-based home model).
  • Pac-Man's Pixel Bash For Charity (2024): an arcade-use model that is designed to allow all profits to be donated to charity, with the charity itself chosen by the arcade operator. Features a heavily-redone cabinet design with a large, transluscent area to show the donated money contained inside. Due to the nature of the machine, it primarily accepts dollar bills rather than coins.
  • Pac-Man's Pixel Bash: 45th Anniversary Edition (2026): a model released to commemorate Pac-Man's 45th anniversary, using the "stickerbomb" aesthetic seen on most Pac-Man 45th Anniversary products and promotions. "Cabaret"-based in shape; only released as a "home version" model. This machine was featured at some locations in 2025, though will not enter full production until 2026.

Additionally, the U.S.-distributed version of the Pac-Man Red Bull promotional machine is based on the Pac-Man's Pixel Bash "Chill" cabinet (with its official model ID being "Pixel Bash Cabaret RedBull").[1] At least some versions of this machine appear to contain the full Pixel Bash game list (alongside the newly-added Red Bull game).[1]

Trivia[]

April Fool's post showing a "Pixel Bash Grill" cabinet

April Fool's post showing a "Pixel Bash Grill" cabinet

  • For April Fool's Day in 2021, Bandai Namco Amusement America posted a joke image of a "Pac-Man's Pixel Bash Grill" machine to social media, parodying the "Chill" cabinet with a grill in place of the mini fridge.
  • Pac-Man's Pixel Bash would launch alongside "Pac-Mancave", a brand label used by Bandai Namco Amusement America for home-use arcade machines and arcade accessories (such as barstools and carpets).
  • This compilation marks the first overseas releases of Hopping Mappy and Rompers, both of which were previously Japan-exclusive. Both games would later receive additional re-releases via Arcade1Up machines and the Arcade Archives line.
  • The Pac-Man's Pixel Bash For Charity model may have been influenced by a donation effort held at Dave & Buster's locations (beginning around the mid-2010s), in which older arcade machines were converted into donation boxes for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
  • Prior to the model's official release, a set of Pac-Man's Pixel Bash: 45th Anniversary Edition machines were placed in Macy's Herald Square in November of 2025, as part of a pop-up promotion for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (in which Pac-Man debuted as a balloon).[2]
    • It is reported that the Macy's parade was originally intended to have a different parade float - presumably some sort of flat plane - that directly surrounded the Pac-Man's Pixel Bash machines, in which staffers would play the machines atop the float.[3] The final parade float's design is completely impractical for this concept.
    • The 45th Anniversary machines held at Macy's have been observed as being pre-final versions, containing several artwork errors (such as Pac & Pal's logo appearing on the screen bezel twice).
  • Many earlier promotional write-ups strangely format Ms. Pac-Man in the game list, mentioning the game non-alphabetically and without a comma; suggesting the game was hastily added to the list in post for unknown reasons.
  • Several Arcade1Up models feature aesthetic similarities to various iterations of Pac-Man's Pixel Bash:
    • The Arcade1Up Classic SE models feature black, pixelated effects across the bottom side panels of the cabinets, similar to the Pixel Bash machine (albeit without the Pac-Man and Galaga graphics within the pixelated area).
    • The "Neon Edition" Pac-Man Deluxe machine uses similar artwork to the "Arcade Neon" version of Pixel Bash, in part due to this design being an available asset for licensees from Bandai Namco.
    • Judging by court documents from the Atari Interactive v. Tastemakers lawsuit, Arcade1Up cabinets with built-in mini fridges were once planned, using a very similar form factor to the Pixel Bash "Chill" cabinet (and by extent, Pac-Man Red Bull). Ultimately, Arcade1Up never produced any retail machines with this design.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://bid.captainsauctionwarehouse.com/lot-details/index/catalog/126/lot/32935/PIXEL-BASH-RED-BULL-EDITION-PAC-MAN-MINI-FRIG-ARCADE-GAME-COMBO-NAMCO-PROMO
  2. ↑ https://forums.arcade-museum.com/threads/pac-mans-pixel-bash-45th-anniversary-cabaret-prototype.558337/
  3. ↑ https://forums.arcade-museum.com/threads/pac-mans-pixel-bash-45th-anniversary-cabaret-prototype.558337/post-5045915
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