Pac-Man 99

 Switch
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. 4P.de
    Apr 15, 2021
    74
    The mass pac-maning is a fresh breeze in this age-old concept, but it lacks detail as well as fine-tuning and leaves players a bit in the dark in the beginning.
  2. Ninty Fresh Magazine
    Dec 3, 2021
    70
    Pac-Man 99’s paid-DLC takes the shine off a decent battle royale. That said, fans looking for an action- packed version will enjoy this immensely. [Issue #4, p.68]
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  3. TierraGamer
    May 13, 2021
    70
    The chaos around each Pac-Man 99 match makes you wonder if you have direct control over the outcome or it was just luck. There are times when so much disorder suffocates you, but getting to the top ten or being in the first place is rewarding enough to continue enjoying the experience.
  5. GameCritics
    Apr 29, 2021
    70
    Overall, Pac-Man 99 offers a solid, simple multiplayer jaunt for short-term bursts of competitive action. It’s a shame that some of the things that are locked behind DLC, but since the game itself is free (with Nintendo Online) it’s hard to complain.
  6. Nintendo Insider
    Apr 23, 2021
    70
    PAC-MAN 99 is yet another decent battle royale distraction that suffers from the same terrible level of guidance and explanation both Super Mario Bros. 35 and Tetris 99 were guilty of too. While it’s unlikely to become my next big time sink, it might perhaps kill five minutes or so between bigger games every now and again.
  7. Siliconera
    Apr 15, 2021
    70
    The “free” experience for Nintendo Switch Online members is really quite good, and we recommend giving it a shot. The paid deluxe content, though, feels thin and doesn’t offer a lot for the price.
  8. IGN
    Apr 14, 2021
    70
    Pac-Man 99’s fast and competitive gameplay keeps it fun even if we’re confined to just one maze.
  9. Multiplayer.it
    Apr 12, 2021
    70
    A fun experiment with too many DLCs and too few tutorials.
  10. Screen Rant
    Apr 12, 2021
    70
    Ultimately, Pac-Man 99 doesn't stand up to the instant fun of Tetris 99, but it's better than Super Mario 35 and serves as a worthy addition to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription. The paid modes will be great when the game inevitably goes offline, but feel superfluous in the now. Those looking to expand their game will likely find more use out of grabbing a few skins individually than grabbing the whole bundle, but the free-to-play option will be the best deal for most players.
  11. App Trigger
    Apr 21, 2021
    60
    While Pac-Man 99 brings that fun, fast-paced nature of Tetris 99 to yet another beloved franchise, it doesn’t translate as well here. Many of the rules never get explained and poor visual choices make for an occasionally scream-summoning experience, even for a veteran Pac-Man player like myself.
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  1. Polygon
    Apr 15, 2021
    I’m still often confused about what’s going on, and why, but it’s impressive how the bones of Pac-Man fit so neatly into a battle royale experience, with so much thought put into the use of intel and basic strategy that the skill ceiling is currently hard to fathom. Then there’s the fact that you can have the whole game loaded and be in a full match in just a minute or two. The result is both confounding and empowering. When I win, it’s of course due to my skill, and when I lose? Well, I don’t really know what’s going on, do I?
  2. The A.V. Club
    Apr 11, 2021
    Like all of the 99/35 games, Pac-Man 99 is undeniably neat. The confusion on the screen is visually stimulating, and the base maze running remains fun. (There’s also a whole strategy element we’re still trying to wrap our heads around, re: the game’s four distinct power-up modes.) But by cutting out a core element of the Pac-Man formula—the accrual of points, whether in service of extra lives, or just as an end unto themselves—99 loses touch with what has made that little yellow puck such an enduring icon for the last 41 years. After all, not everything needs to be a matter of life and death.

Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2021

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 37
  3. Negative: 3 out of 37
  1. Kiera44
    Apr 8, 2021
    10
    This game is honestly a timeless classic is really fun, then add some Nintendo magic and a battle royale to it and it is a perfect experienceThis game is honestly a timeless classic is really fun, then add some Nintendo magic and a battle royale to it and it is a perfect experience in my opinion, if you have switch online is an absolute must play.… Full Review »
  2. Zerarch77
    Apr 13, 2021
    9
    Pac-Man 99 is surprisingly one of the best Pac-Man games. It combines design elements of the arcade original, the modern Championship EditionPac-Man 99 is surprisingly one of the best Pac-Man games. It combines design elements of the arcade original, the modern Championship Edition series, and the "battle royale" format of Tetris 99 and Super Mario 35. The result is a game that is relentlessly engaging, intensely challenging, and deceptively deep.

    The game has no tutorial or manual, which is a huge oversight because it is harder to learn from gameplay alone than any other Pac-Man game. With that said, the extra rules layered on top of classic Pac-Man successfully facilitate interesting choices during gameplay.

    Here are some examples to consider:
    1. You only need to eat half the dots in a round to spawn the fruit that refreshes the maze (and crucially, the Power Pellets). But if you eat all the dots, you'll get a permanent speed boost.
    2. Eating a Power Pellet clears all jammers but not killers. Eating a fruit clears all killers, but not jammers. Killers are more dangerous, but fruits provide no protection from ghosts.
    3. Powerup modes come with drawbacks. "Speed" doubles your speed, but dramatically weakens your attacks. "Train" doubles the sleeping ghosts you wake, but spawns an extra jammer for each. "Stronger" doubles your attacks, but has a short duration and permanently lowers your speed.
    4. Sometimes you must avoid a vulnerable ghost train if you wish to build a stronger attack. But this may slow your dot-eating progress.
    5. When not powered up, you'll have to deal with the four ghosts that each have a unique movement style. Together they form a complex threat.

    Each gameplay element has a push and pull. As Pac-man and the ghosts get faster, the powerups last shorter, and jammers spawn erratically, you'll have to make and execute increasingly difficult decisions at breakneck speed. And if you think you can camp near Power Pellets and delay the later rounds as long as possible, you will find yourself moving slower than everyone else while they swarm you with jammers that bring your motion to a standstill as the ghosts close in.

    Perhaps the best part of Pac-Man 99 is that virtually all your arcade Pac-Man skills (if any) will carry over. Solid game design is timeless, and Pac-Man 99 is a great twist on a beloved classic.    … Full Review »
  3. Syhlcam
    Apr 12, 2021
    9
    Pac-Man 99 est excellent, tout comme Tetris 99, le fait de partir d'un classique qu'est Pac-Man reste une excellente idée. Le jeu est ultraPac-Man 99 est excellent, tout comme Tetris 99, le fait de partir d'un classique qu'est Pac-Man reste une excellente idée. Le jeu est ultra rapide, facile à prendre en main et très plaisant à jouer. Le système de stratégie est vraiment très bien pensé et permet de s'adapté rapidement et simplement à la situation.
    Le jeu est également bien plus punitif qu'un Tetris 99 où vous pouvez faire des erreurs et revenir, ici une mauvaise observation et/ou anticipation et c'est fini. Le seul point noir du jeu est la lisibilité qui lorsque de très nombreuses animations, c'est vite le bordel à l'écran.
    Mais il reste vraiment très cool à jouer et à s'améliorer.    … Full Review »
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