Pac-Man 25th Anniversary is an arcade multi-game compilation, developed by Cosmodog and released by Namco-America in 2004. The compilation features the games Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, and Galaga, and was released for the 25th anniversary of Pac-Man.
In terms of gameplay, Pac-Man 25th Anniversary is nearly identical to the previously-released Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga machine; with the exception of Pac-Man being unlocked by default, with a modified selection menu. Each game can be set (by the arcade operator) to run in its standard mode or its "speed-up chip" mode by default; the other speed setting being accessible by a joystick code.
The Pac-Man 25th Anniversary machine features a "continue" option upon getting a game over, in which the player can insert another quarter to resume their game (while continuing off of their high score). This feature can also be disabled by the arcade operator. High scores appear to be saved into the machine's memory, even if the cabinet is unplugged or turned off.
Codes[]
Speed adjuster: Enter Left, Right, Left, Right, Up, Up, Up, Fire. The speed will be changed to slow or fast (speed-up chip), depending on what mode is already set by default.
Machine models[]
Four different Pac-Man 25th Anniversary machine models are known to have been produced, including:
Original machine model.
Original model (2004): uses a near-identical form factor to the original Bally Midway cabinets.
"Cabaret" model (2005): 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; the coin door is merely a flat sticker with no functionality.
"Cocktail" model (2006): a sit-down cocktail table model, featuring two sets of joysticks on opposite sides. Only released as a "home version" model.
"Bartop" model (2007): A smaller tabletop variant. Only released as a "home version" model.
Trivia[]
The code used to unlock Pac-Man in Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga (Up, Up, Up, Down, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left) is still present in Pac-Man 25th Anniversary, but has no functionality outside of playing a sound effect.
Pre-release image of the machine.
A pre-release image of the machine is known to exist, featuring several minor artwork differences from the final machine. Oddly, the image appears to be (somewhat poorly) Photoshopped from a "home version" Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga stock image; notably retaining its coin door artwork, and lacking a joystick or buttons.
Ironically, this image would be Photoshopped again for a 2010 Pac-Man desktop wallpaper, being redesigned as a standard Pac-Man cabinet.[1]
Notably, this model seems to specifically be based on the aforementioned pre-release image; closely copying its design layout. Additionally, the Ms. Pac-Man logo is removed from the marquee; the artwork on the coin door is replaced with a recreation of the original Pac-Man maze.
Pre-release Pac-Man's Arcade Party machines at E3 2010.
When originally unveiled at E3 2010, Pac-Man's Arcade Party was directly modeled after Pac-Man 25th Anniversary in design; save for replacing the side artwork's branding with the Pac-Man 30th Anniversary logo, and removing all visual references to Ms. Pac-Man.[3][4] The Arcade Party cabinet would be completely redesigned following the E3 showcase.
