Pac-Man 256

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Worth Playing
    Aug 5, 2016
    90
    Most importantly, the sessions are short enough that you can spend a few minutes with it and be done, but that call of "one more round" is enough to keep you glued for hours. Cheap but ultimately satisfying, Pac-Man 256 comes highly recommended.
  2. High-Def Digest
    Jul 6, 2016
    90
    A throwback to simpler times, when gaming was just a few coins, a lot of sweaty palms and fun. All this, and more, and all the better for it. Breezy, enjoyable, cute. My favorite game of 2016 so far.
  3. PlayStation Universe
    Jul 4, 2016
    90
    In every way that a remake of a classic property can be, Pac-Man 256 soars.
  5. We Got This Covered
    Jun 29, 2016
    90
    Unshackled from any free-to-play hooks and microtransactions, Pac-Man 256 is one of the most addictive experiences found on consoles. While it's disappointing that this premium version didn't make its way to the Vita, a new multiplayer mode makes it feel at home on TV screens.
  6. Gamers' Temple
    Jul 4, 2016
    84
    PAC-MAN becomes an infinite runner and the result is both challenging and fun.
  7. Digital Chumps
    Jun 23, 2016
    84
    Overall, I think the intensity and value added in terms of power-ups, how the design of the game works (moving Pac-Man quickly, while making tough strategic decisions on the fly) makes Pac-Man 256 a fantastic experience, as well as a replayable one. Drop the dough on this one, folks. It’s worth the price of admission and then some.
  8. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Sep 6, 2016
    80
    It perfectly combines the classic's simple appeal with a quicker pace and slick new moves, making it more addictive than ever. [Sept 2016, p.108]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Eurogamer Italy
    Aug 10, 2016
    80
    Pac-Man 256 takes the original mechanics adding something new to the series, never seen before. You will run through an endless maze, trying to escape from the assault of the Glitch. To make your way across the ghosts, there are 20 upgradable weapons to collect. It may look a simple game, but it hides a surprising depth, and it is really fun to play. Multiplayer co-op is really a blast, but the lack of online multiplayer is a mess.
  10. IGN Sweden
    Jul 5, 2016
    80
    Pac-Man 256 is an addicting variation on Tōru Iwatani's legacy, updated for the 2010's. One should ask though if Playstation 4 is the best platform for it: sometimes it feels like you're playing a glorified mobile game (perhaps because it is.) Despite the repetitive gameplay - it's modelled after a game from 1980 after all - it's something I often return to and gladly play over and over again. It might even be better than the original, when I think about it.
  11. Attack of the Fanboy
    Jun 30, 2016
    80
    Pac-Man is one of the mainstays in gaming that continues to stay relevant and Pac-Man 256 proves that the classic formula works even today.
  12. USgamer
    Jun 24, 2016
    80
    Pac-Man 256 takes the original coin-op's gameplay and gives it a clever new twist to create an endless muncher that's hugely fun to play. On the surface it looks simple, but its gameplay has surprising depth that makes it fiendishly addictive - and highly challenging to master.
  13. God is a Geek
    Jun 24, 2016
    80
    Takes the classic addictive gameplay we all know and love and successfully mixes it with the endless runner genre to create a surprisingly good and extremely affordable little gem.
  14. Everyeye.it
    Jul 15, 2016
    75
    Quotation forthcoming.
  15. GameCrate
    Jun 29, 2016
    75
    It may not be the most engrossing single-player experience, but if you enjoy local co-op multiplayer, you could do a lot worse than Pac-Man 256.

Awards & Rankings

80
#80 Best PS4 Game of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 25
  3. Negative: 4 out of 25
  1. TheHumbleGamer
    Apr 19, 2017
    8
    Highly fun and addictive, Pacman 256 is an endless runner pack man game named after the infamous level 256 glitch in the original pacman whereHighly fun and addictive, Pacman 256 is an endless runner pack man game named after the infamous level 256 glitch in the original pacman where half the board is eaten by code. You are essentially put on a randomly generated Pacman board that goes on forever (or until you die, which you will). The game starts you with only a few basic power-ups to help you get high scores and complete missions the game gives you such as 'eat 10 power-ups' or 'Eat 5 fruit'. There is a coin currency in the game that you earn by picking up coins on runs or by completing mission, these coins can be spent on upgrading the various in-game power-ups to give you more points from killing ghosts or just make the power-ups last longer. There are a wide variety of power-ups as well, ranging from bombs to nukes. All of this their to help you reach and beat your high score over and over. One very cool feature of this game is that if you can manage to eat 256 pellets in a row, it will kill every single ghost on screen and off screen for a short period and give you a huge boost on your score.

    Cheap, fun and addictive, this game is definitely good for a quick play session whenever you're feeling bored.    … Full Review »
  2. gamereviewer555
    Nov 12, 2022
    10
    This is the second best pac-man game of all time behind Championship Edition DX. Both are worth your time. Pac-Man 256 reimagines pac-man asThis is the second best pac-man game of all time behind Championship Edition DX. Both are worth your time. Pac-Man 256 reimagines pac-man as an endless runner in a really clever way. It's deceptively complex for how simple it first appears and I don't think I'll ever get sick of it.… Full Review »
  3. MaddoxWhite
    Apr 25, 2021
    8
    It's weird how this random mobile game is this good compared to other Pac-Man games.
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