Pac-Man Pinball
SCORE: 74
What could be better than Pac-Man in a pinball game? Sadly quite a few things. This Gameboy Advance game from Namco takes Pac-Man, and puts him inside a pinball machine. The pellet muncher still gets to munch on pellets, but directed by the player’s flappers. The different colored ghosts are present, as are things like power pellets, and eating the ghosts for additional points.
The WMG was extremely excited to receive Pac-Man Pinball Advance in the mail. That excitement quickly turned to dread. The graphics have poor details to them, even though they have some awesome bright colors. The few pinball sets to play on is a major disappointment. In addition what is there, is way too similar in design. This is a huge shame, because the idea of having Pac-Man roll around on a digital pinball machine is a good one. The WMG did not find one offensive image in this game.
Thankfully Namco could not mess up the sounds or music. The classic Pac-Man sounds are found throughout this game. The WMG has not gotten tired of this musical score, and really enjoys hearing the Pac-man sounds. If hearing these sounds over and over again does bother you then certainly pass on this game, because there is not a lot of variety. The WMG finds the music cheerful, exciting, and neato. No offensive sounds were heard while playing this game. This is the Gameboy Advance, so the pallet is a might bit limited.
The WMG really likes finding games that have a lot of unlockable material. Pac-Man Pinball Advance lacks a lot in this department. Namco does allow the player to replay as much as they want, but the experience is pretty hollow so the WMG can see no real reason to actually replay the game. To be brutally honest, the WMG can not see much of a reason to play it in the first place. It pains the WMG (aka the Main Man) to have to say that. Only one player can play this game at a time. The WMG sighs deeply but has to admit this game is not worth your hard earned dollars. Please do not waste your money on this game.
Pac-Man Pinball Advance has very responsive controls, that are designed really poorly. Hitting left for one side of the flappers, and hitting right (editor: on the directional pad) does not work as well as the ‘R’ and ‘L’ buttons. One guess which Namco went with. The action in this game starts slow, gets going fast, and can easily slow down again in a most frustrating manner. The WMG did not have any fun playing this game.
Pac-Man Pinball Advance
had such potential if Namco had only spent some more time and money on
the project. It pains the WMG to see family friendly games get such
sloppy treatment and execution. It was a sad chore for the WMG to play,
and review this game. The only way Namco should release a sequel if they
take the time to make a game worth all of our time and money. This game
is safe for the entire family.
- Working Man Gamer
Graphics: 76%
Sound: 82%
Replay/Extras: 67%
Gameplay: 69%
Family Friendly Factor: 77%
System: Gameboy Advance
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Rating: 'E'
for Everyone
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