Best Home Version of Pac-Man?

[NIAD]

Here's a video of the Ataisoft prototype version of Pac-Man for the ColecoVision which was programmed in 1983. I'm pretty sure that it is complete in all senses of the word and even includes the ghosts's eyes!!! I've played the 5200 version and while it is very good, I think this ColecoVision version tops it.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=DfzABCAG-cQ

[The Usotsuki]

Interesting "materialization" effect.

 

The intermission music is slightly off, but the rest is pretty good for its time.

[almightytodd]

Sorry guys, PacPC rules. It's in portrait orientation and the sounds are killer. The only thing at home closer to the real thing would be MAME.

 

[BrianC]

PacPc 2.0 is a good clone, but, if I remember correctly, it's not as accurate as the CV homebrew or some of the more recent emulations like Namco Museum DS and some of the arcade tricks don't work.

Edited December 19, 2014 by BrianC

[NIAD]

Interesting "materialization" effect.

 

The intermission music is slightly off, but the rest is pretty good for its time.

ineed, it's a nice added effect on the title screen and with the ghosts.

[almightytodd]

PacPc 2.0 is a good clone, but, if I remember correctly, it's not as accurate as the CV homebrew or some of the more recent emulations like Namco Museum DS and some of the arcade tricks don't work.

 

I will agree with you that the CV Pac Man Collection is a more accurate reproduction of the arcade game play. If I recall, the author had access to the disassembled ROM, and the arcade version used the same Z80 CPU that is found in the ColecoVision. However, to fit the graphics into a landscape orientation NTSC signal, some compromises were made. PacPC and MsPacPC have the capability of running full-screen in Portrait orientation (...I apologize for the poor quality of the photo - it is a screenshot of an MP4 video).

 

 

I haven't played the Namco Museum versions to be able to comment on those. If the question were limited to NTSC signal home versions then I would agree that the CV Pac Man Collection is best.

[BrianC]

I know it supports portrait, and it looks the part, but I feel gameplay is what counts. Namco museum PS1 also supports tate, but the sound and gameplay is off. Namco Museum DS is more accurate gameplay wise, but, unfortunately had to be fit to the DS resolution. However, the version with Pac 'n Roll DS is also accurate and keeps the aspect ratio due to being split between two screens. XBLA version is accurate and keeps the aspect ratio, but lacks tate and has limited display options. I'm guessing the PS3 one is the same way, but I haven't played it.

 

Come to think of it, I didn't even think of which signal the arcade Pac-Man runs at. I know some games like the Raiden Fighters series and R-Type run at odd signals. Raiden Fighters Aces 360 is probably one of the best collections in terms of options to try to simulate the arcade speed. R-Type on PS1 R-Types feels a bit faster, even with wait on.

Edited December 19, 2014 by BrianC

[Charlie_]

The Tandy Color Computer 3 has a good looking version of Pac-Man. Unfortunately it plays nothing like arcade Pac-Man. The ghosts do not follow the proper rules of movement. Instead of Pac-Man being faster around turns the ghost are. Pac-Man dies if he touches a ghost even slightly. Unlike the arcade where pretty much the center point of a ghost has to reach the center point of Pac-Man. All this makes for a game that plays nothing like Pac-Man. It is an OK version of the game to play now and then, but disappointing when you consider most of all the old clunky console versions get these faults right.

 

http://www.lcurtisboyle.com/nitros9/pacman.html

Edited December 23, 2014 by Official Ninja

[+wood_jl]

AtariAge super-user "tep392" version of "Pac Man Arcade" for Atari 8-bit computers should be on the list, but it is not. As such, I voted for "other" and I post this youtube video of it.....

 

[media]

[Video]

What about Pacman for the Fairchild (a few years ago someone homebrewed it and it was damn impressive considering I wouldn't expect that system to handle it.

 

It's funny that VCS pac-man is tied for fifth place, exactly half way between best and worst

[+Cafeman]

AtariAge super-user "tep392" version of "Pac Man Arcade" for Atari 8-bit computers should be on the list, but it is not. As such, I voted for "other

Same version on 5200 as well, and I agree fantastic work here, I was just playing it and it's great fun and fresh.

[BrianC]

AtariAge super-user "tep392" version of "Pac Man Arcade" for Atari 8-bit computers should be on the list, but it is not. As such, I voted for "other" and I post this youtube video of it.....

 

[media]

 

Not to mention the Pac-Man collection with Pokey hack for the 7800, which tep392 was also involved with.

Edited January 1, 2015 by BrianC

[+LS650]

K.C. Munchkin for the Odyssey2 wins hands down.

[PeBo]

Visually, the TI-99/4A version is remains impressive. Like other systems, the aspect ratio of the maze is changed to fit a 4x3 display, but somehow on the TI version it just works really well.

 

Admittedly, like nearly all the TI Atarisoft games, it's a s-l-o-w pacman (not jerky, just slow), but it looks amazing, and to be honest, I prefer a less frenetic pace in gameplay than I did 30 years ago! (please explain that to my wife)

 

I've gotta agree with gamecat80 that K.C. Munchkin is a truly fine PacMan clone...it would easily be THE best, if it wasn't hobbled by the odyssey2's standard 1 life per game...

[TheObscureGamer]

Pac-man for GameGear no question!

[Cynicaster]

VIC-20 Cosmic Cruncher FTW

 

That Coleco prototype looks fantastic; my brother and I would have gobbled that up back in the 80's (pun tail-waggingly intended).

[Master Phruby]

As a kid I loved a8 version of pac-man. Playing with the 500jx was great. Now I like playing the pac-man 4k version.

[Greg2600]

Voted for Bob's PMC 7800, but I've always loved the Game Gear version best among portables.

[Mangia-Boy]

Colecovision Prototype is the very best.

[VectorGamer]

Colecovision Prototype is the very best.

 

Better than Pac-Man Collection?

[Lord Helmet]

I'd have to say Pac-Man Collection for the Colecovision simply because it's most accurate. After that I'd say the 7800, then the 5200.

[Nutsy Doodleheimer]

The 7800 Pac Man Collection is the best console version in my opinion. Bob DeCresenzo does a phenominal job on it. Just like every 7800 game he did. I need to get the CV version. Especially with the arcade knob joystick.

Edited May 19, 2015 by Retrogamer81081

[Mangia-Boy]

 

Better than Pac-Man Collection?

I don`t know PacMan Collection. My Blue MSX emulator can't start the game. I always get this screen:

 

[NIAD]

I don`t know PacMan Collection. My Blue MSX emulator can't start the game. I always get this screen:

 

PACCV.PNG

In the configuration menu there is an option for ROM TYPE... make sure to change that from CV ROM to CV MEGACART.