Pac-Man (Game & Time) refers to a handheld LCD game that was developed in 1982 (?) by an unknown Hong Kong company. The handheld was released in several countries (seemingly excluding the U.S. and Japan) by numerous publishers. It is connected to the Pac-Man Game Watch system, with both products originating from the same developer.
Overview[]
The "Game & Time" Pac-Man handheld, as its name suggests, is designed to mimic the Game & Watch handheld line by Nintendo. It is similar in dimensions to a Game & Watch system, and features a built-in digital clock with alarm functionality (the alarm being a rendition of "Dixie"). Earlier variants of the system are controlled using a d-pad, while later releases feature a small joystick.
The game itself is a direct clone of the Pac-Man Tomy LSI Game handheld from 1981, featuring nearly identical mechanics and graphics. It is unknown if Tomy was involved with the development of this port (though they were connected to a second variant of the Game Watches). The score tally maxes out at 1,999 points; upon reaching the maximum score, the game plays a rendition of "Thine Be the Glory".[1]
The origins of the Pac-Man Game & Time systems, alongside the Game Watches, are largely unclear. The original packaging makes no mention of any developer or publisher, save for some releases crediting Namco Limited and labeled as being made in Hong Kong. The consoles themselves, however, feature a branded sticker of the respective publisher, which varies depending on the unit. The Pac-Man branding may have been commissioned by Nelsonic/M.Z. Berger originally; though Nelsonic ultimately did not publish the Game & Time variant.
Known publishers[]
The following publishers are confirmed to have released "Game & Time" Pac-Man handhelds:
- Cresta - distributed in the Netherlands.
- Ecco - distributed in Denmark (?).
- Ectron - distributed in Germany.
- Grandstand - distributed in the United Kingdom (?).
- Halion - region of distribution undetermined.
List of models[]
Four distinct models of the "Game & Time" Pac-Man system are known to have been released, with two of them having label variants from other publishers:
- Version 1: uses the Don Mastri artwork of Pac-Man eating Ghosts on the righthand side, while featuring a more traditional Pac-Man design with a cherry on the left. Features a red d-pad for movement, with the text "Game & Time" placed below it. The publisher name label is placed in an indented area below the screen. Known to have been published by Cresta, Ecco, Ectron, and Halion.
- Version 2: uses the original Tadashi Yamashita Puckman artwork with two ghosts. Features a red joystick instead of a d-pad; the "Game & Time" branding is removed. Rather than being a separate sticker, the publisher name is printed on the main label (positioned beneath the buttons). All known releases of the second revision still use the box artwork of the first version. Known to have been published by Cresta, Ectron, and Halion.
- Version 3: features a completely different, vertically-oriented form factor with a slip cover. Only known to have been published by Ectron, and seemingly very uncommon.[2]
- Super Pac-Man: a variant which, oddly, is branded after the Super Pac-Man arcade game; despite still playing the original Pac-Man game. It is based on the second revision (which it is erroneously shown as on the box), and uses a joystick. Exclusively published by Grandstand under license by Halion; it is seemingly very uncommon.
An interchangeable "screen-cartridge" version was reportedly available for the Cresta and Halion Cartridge Game systems, though this is not 100% confirmed.
Trivia[]
- The unknown company behind the Pac-Man "Game & Time" system (and Game Watches) would also release adaptions of Frogger, Q*bert, and BurgerTime, in both handheld and watch formats. An unlicensed Donkey Kong clone was also produced titled Jungle Kong.
- Most games have additional generic/unbranded variants, likely intended for markets/publishers that could not obtain the rights to the licenses. The Pac-Man game has a generic version titled Chompers, which is only known to be available as a Game Watch. Frogger and Q*bert's generic equivalents are Honky Ponky and Clown, respectively.
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