Highlights
- A new Pac-Man game might be in the works, as a recent trademark filing hints at a potential upcoming release titled "Pac-Man Superfast."
- The Pac-Man franchise has had numerous sequels and spin-offs over the years, and the lovable yellow circle has made appearances in other games and crossover events.
- While Pac-Man may not have the same level of popularity as it did in the 80s, fans of the series would be excited to see a new game featuring the iconic video game mascot.
A new Pac-Man game might be in the works, at least according to a trademark filed by Bandai Namco. The original Pac-Man launched in arcades way back in 1980 and became a global sensation, spawning an entire franchise and cementing the titular yellow avatar as one of gaming’s very first mascots. Pac-Man and his supporting cast have appeared in merchandise and various television shows over the decades, and several Pac-Man sequel games were produced. These include Ms. Pac-Man, Baby Pac-Man, and the 3D Pac-Man World for the original PlayStation.
Some of the more recent Pac-Man released include 2021’s Pac-Man 99, an online battle royale-type game that allowed up to 99 players to compete against each other in frantic, pellet-munching maze runs, and Pac-Man World Re-Pac, an updated remake of the aforementioned Pac-Man World that refined the original’s interface and gameplay mechanics while adding a new Maze Mode. A DLC expansion for World Re-Pac was released in November that gave players an in-game jukebox and new Chrome Noir Chogokin character skin. Pac-Man Museum+ launched a few months before this, allowing players to sample most of Pac-Mac’s classic arcade adventures.
The lovable yellow circle with a hunger for ghosts and pellets might not be done yet, as a recent trademark filing by Bandai Namco hints that another Pac-Man game is on the horizon. This trademark was filed on August 31 in New Zealand, and simply contains the name “Pac-Man Superfast.” Nothing else was included in the filing, so it isn’t clear if “Superfast” is meant to be a new video game or some sort of tie-in media.
Pac-Man has made appearances outside of his home series over the years. He was brought into the crossover Super Smash Bros. series in 2014’s Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and returned in the subsequent Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Switch. More recently, Fall Guys offered fans a playable Pac-Man character skin, while fans have paid tribute to the franchise through custom Minecraft arcade cabinets and real-life subway vents.
While the Pac-Man franchise isn’t quite the gaming juggernaut it was in its 80s heyday, players young and old still enjoy the series’ fast-paced action and colorful characters. It isn’t yet certain if the recently filed “Pac-Man Superfast” trademark is meant to signify a new Pac-Man game from Bandai Namco, but it would be welcome news for fans of the iconic video game mascot.