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You are here: Home / Archives for Pacman

Pacman

Our Thrilling Retro Adventure at Netherworld

October 9, 2024 By ausretrogamer

“A drinking hole, diner and collection of gaming relics from decades past”

If you’re looking for a time warp with a side of adrenaline, then grab your mates, lace up your sneakers, and head down to Netherworld in Fortitude Valley. This quirky, neon-lit arcade haven is the perfect blend of retro gaming nostalgia and modern-day fun. With an atmosphere that feels like stepping into an alternate dimension, Netherworld is an absolute must for anyone with a love for pinball, classic arcade games, and good times.

Somewhere, over the rainbow, is Netherworld!

The Arcade Wonderland Awaits

Upon walking into Netherworld, you’re instantly transported into a world where video game cabinets hum with excitement, and the ping of pinball machines echoes through the air. The vibe here is part classic arcade, part dive bar, and 100% pure entertainment. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or just here for the ride, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

The centerpiece, of course, is the massive arcade collection. From the legendary Pac-Man to the adrenaline-pumping Street Fighter II Hyper, and even more obscure cult favorites like Puzzle Bobble or Gyruss, the nostalgia will hit you hard. And let’s not forget about the pinball section! A kaleidoscope of flashing lights and metallic clinks, the lineup includes everything from Fun House to the ultra-competitive Foo Fighters pinball. Each game has its own unique vibe, with ramps, bumpers, and challenges that will have you flipping for hours.

Top Games You Can’t Miss:

  • The Addams Family Pinball: With creepy, kooky vibes and plenty of spooky surprises, this machine is a fan favorite. The challenge? Master the multi-ball madness!
  • Donkey Kong: Can you guide Mario up the barrels and rescue the princess? This iconic game will test your old-school platforming skills.
  • Rick & Morty Pinabll: Go on an interdimensional adventure packed with hilarious animations, wild gameplay, and all the zany mischief you’d expect from the infamous duo!
  • Mortal Kombat II: Show off your fighter skills with this ultimate test of reflexes and strategy. It’s “Finish Him” time!
  • Time Crisis II: Team up with a friend and take on the bad guys in this classic shooter game. The foot pedal and recoil action add to the immersive fun!

Not Just Games – A Whole Experience

Netherworld isn’t just about the games, though. It’s a place where pop culture and craft beers come together in harmony. The bar serves up an impressive selection of local brews and specialty cocktails themed after your favorite games. Ever sipped on a “Hadouken” cocktail after a heated round of Street Fighter? Now’s your chance! Pair your drinks with tasty food offerings, from vegan-friendly snacks to juicy burgers. Trust me, their bowls of loaded fries are the ultimate fuel for a gaming marathon.

There’s also a calendar packed with exciting events. Think arcade tournaments, pinball competitions, pub trivia, and even the occasional live gig. Want to test your skills in a more competitive setting? Join one of the pinball leagues or enter a high-stakes showdown for a chance at fame and glory (or at least bragging rights).

The Community Vibes

One of the best parts of Netherworld is its welcoming community. Whether you’re a seasoned pinball wizard or a complete newbie, everyone’s here to have fun. The staff is friendly and helpful, always willing to give tips if you’re stuck on a tricky game or need advice on the best machine for your skill level.

They also host board game nights for those who want to take the action to the tables. From Dungeons & Dragons to party games like Codenames, the variety is as broad as the arcade lineup.

Ready, Set, Play!

Visiting Netherworld is like pressing “start” on an adventure you didn’t know you needed. It’s more than just a venue—it’s an experience. A place where grown-ups can be kids again, and where the spirit of classic gaming lives on in all its pixelated glory.

Whether you’re chasing high scores, discovering the magic of pinball for the first time, or simply enjoying the electric energy of this retro haven, Netherworld promises a day (or night) of unforgettable fun. So, gather your crew, grab some tokens, and prepare for an epic gaming session.

Game over? Not a chance—Netherworld will keep you coming back for more!

Filed Under: Retro Exploring, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: Arcade, barcade, Brisbane, Donkey Kong, Foo Fighters, Galaga, Gyruss, Jaws, Monster Bash, N64, Netherworld, nintendo, Pacman, pinball, QLD, Queensland, retro arcade bar, Retrogamer, retrogaming, Scooby-Doo, sega, Spooky Pinball, Stern Pinball, Time Crisis

Pac-Man Lifesized Maze: Melbourne

January 19, 2024 By ausretrogamer

Get dot-munching for real!

  • What: Pac-Man Lifesized
  • Date: 27-Mar-2024
  • Where / Venue: The District Docklands, 23 – 37, Shop CWF01/01a Level 1/29 Star Cres, Docklands VIC 3008, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3008
  • Tickets: Child $12.00 / Adult $18.00
  • Where to buy: Hidden – Melbourne

Experience the excitement of a real-life Pac-Man maze as you elude colorful ghosts and snatch up fruit! This March (2024), The District Docklands in Melbourne will host an incredible Pac-Man Escape Room Maze. This immersive pop-up event, officially endorsed by Pac-Man, will immerse you in an escape room adventure within a massive maze.

Prepare to outmaneuver ghosts, gather your favorite fruits (bonus points if you can devour all five), and tackle puzzles along the way. Each participant has only three lives, and if caught by one of the four ghosts, a life is lost. You can embark on this adventure solo or with a team of up to 10 people – the choice is yours. The first person to collect all the fruit and conquer the puzzles will earn the title of the ultimate Pac-Man Player!

Additionally, the venue will feature Pac-Man video games for you to enjoy once you’ve completed the maze. Melbourne’s up-and-coming DJs will be spinning ’80s tunes during the session and at the pixelated bar, providing the perfect opportunity to relax and grab a refreshing beverage after your thrilling adventure




Filed Under: Announcements, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: gamers, Geek, Pac-Man, Pac-Man Escape Room Maze, Pac-Man Maze, Pac-Man maze in Melbourne, Pacman, Pacman Maze, Puck Man, Retro Gamer, Retrogamer

Born To Play Pac-Man

January 27, 2022 By ausretrogamer

Christopher Lloyd’s Reverend Jim “Iggy” Ignatowski character is in fine form in this classic scene with Danny DeVito’s Louie De Palma from popular TV series, Taxi.

Christopher Llyod was definitely born to play Pac-Man 😉




Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: 1980s, 80s, Arcade, Christoper Lloyd plays Pac-Man, Christopher Lloyd, Danny DeVito, Jim Ignatowski, Louie De Palma, oldschool, Pac-Man, Pacman, retrogaming, Taxi, Taxi TV Series

Casio x Pac-Man Vintage Limited Edition Unisex Watch

October 8, 2021 By ausretrogamer


Casio sure knows how to tug on our nostalgic strings! Their vintage classic line of watches brings back the 80s, and nothing screams 80s more than a Casio Pac-Man watch!

The A100WEPC-1B Casio x Pac-Man watch is a collaboration between Casio Vintage and Bandai Namco which aims to immerse you in the nostalgia of one of the world’s first blockbuster video games. Details on the watch glass hint at the exciting chase about to unfold as Pac-Man, surrounded in the square LCD display ghost house, is poised to start running.

Laser engraving on the black ion-plated metal band lays out the game maze. The game begins above the watch face with Pac-Man eating dots as he runs away from the ghosts and continues below the face after he’s devoured a power pellet and turned back to chase them!

The Casio x Pac-Man watch is retailing for AU$299.00! We bet these go fast!

 

source: Casio Watches




Filed Under: Announcements, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: !Arcade!, 1980s, 80s, Casio, Casio A100, Casio A100WEPC-1B, Casio watch, Casio x Pac-Man, Casio x Pac-Man watch, classic arcade game, classic gamer, digital watch, oldschool, Pac-Man, Pac-Man watch, Pacman, pacman watch, Retro, Retro Gamer, retrogaming

Pac-Man: The Complete History

March 17, 2021 By ausretrogamer

As Daniel Ibbertson (aka: Slope’s Game Room) so eloquently puts it, it’s time to drop a coin into one of the highest grossing video game franchises of all time – Pac-Man!

In this history documentary, Daniel discusses the inspiration and creation behind Namco’s flagship mascot, the troubled development between Namco and Midway when bringing him to western shores as well as the interesting backstory behind the controversial Atari 2600 port.


source: Slope’s Game Room

 

Filed Under: History, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: 80s, Arcade, Atari 2600, Classic Arcade Games, Documentary, Geek, History, Midway, Namco, Old School, Pac, Pac-Man, Pacman, Puck Man, Retro Gamer, Retro Gaming, retrogaming, Slope's Game Room, video, Vintage gaming

PAC-MAN: The Heavy Machinery Edition

October 21, 2020 By ausretrogamer

What do you get when you dig out a huge playfield with Caterpillar heavy machinery and then play one of the most iconic arcade games of all time celebrating its 40th anniversary?

You get Cat Trial 9: PAC-MAN, an awesome real life PAC-MAN game with huge Caterpillar earth movers. Who wouldn’t want to play this?! This just oozes coolness!


source: Cat® Products

 

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: Cat Trial, Cat Trial 9: Pac-Man, Caterpillar, earth movers, Heavy machinery pac-man, Namco, Pac Man 40, Pac-Man, Pac-Man 40th anniversary, PAC-MAN40, Pacman, Puck Man

Celebrate PAC-MAN’s 40th Anniversary

May 22, 2020 By ausretrogamer

Well, well, well, the yellow dot (or is it pill?) muncher turns 40 years old today [May 22]!

Ah, what a time to be alive to see a childhood video game (character) we cherished reach such a huge milestone! The year-long Pac-Man 40th anniversary celebrations kick on, so make sure you do not miss out!

If you didn’t know about Bandai Namco’s Pac-Man 40th anniversary year-long celebrations then have a read of this and then go Join the Pac!

image source: Pac-Man Official Site

 

Filed Under: Announcements, History, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: Arcade, Atari, Bandai Namco, Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc, Bandai Namco US, BNEI, Join the PAC, Namco, Old School, Pac Man 40, Pac-Man, Pac-Man 40th anniversary, Pacman, PACMAN40, Retro Gamer, Retro Gaming, retrogaming

PAC-MAN Tamagotchi Has Officially Launched

March 17, 2020 By ausretrogamer

Waka waka waka waka waka waka

To celebrate the iconic yellow pill muncher’s 40th anniversary this year, Tamagotchi and PAC-MAN have teamed up to bring fans a new virtual pet experience – PAC-MAN TAMAGOTCHI!

The Tamagotchi device stars PAC-MAN as the virtual pet character with iconic PAC-MAN features – see further below!

Officially released on March 15th, PAC-MAN Tamagotchi is now available on store shelves. This is perfect for on-the-go entertainment – it fits easily into pockets or bags and it even includes a wearable key-chain allowing kids or their parents to tend to their PAC-MAN Tamagotchi wherever they go!

PAC-MAN Tamagotchi Features:

  • Raise and nurture your Tamagotchi character with the help of PAC-MAN
  • PAC-MAN will save your Tamagotchi character from the ghosts and bugs
  • Feed your Tamagotchi rice or PAC-MAN’s favourite, cherries
  • Raise your Tamagotchi character from egg to baby to adult
  • 7 adults included, which is determined by how you take care of your PAC-MAN Tamagotchi character
  • Two fun mini-games: play the Pac Game and the Catch Game!
  • Two different shell styles to choose from
  • Two PAC-MAN mazes to choose from; yellow and black
  • Battery (LR44) included
  • No WiFi needed

The PAC-MAN Tamagotchi also comes in a Deluxe Assortment that includes a PAC-MAN case to protect your device! Join the PAC and get ready to commemorate PAC-MAN’s 40th Anniversary as a pop culture and video game icon!

Available from:

  • Amazon (US)
  • Big W (Aus)
  • EB Games (Aus)

image source: Tamagotchi US

 

Filed Under: History, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: !Arcade!, 80s, bandai, Bandai Namco, classic gamers, geeky, Namco, Old School, Pac Man 40, Pac-Man, Pac-Man 40th anniversary, pac-man fever, pac-man tamagotchi, Pacman, pacman tamagotchi, Retro, Retro Gamers, Retro Gaming, retrogaming, Tamagotchi

Join the PAC: Celebrate PAC-MAN’s 40th Anniversary in 2020

November 6, 2019 By ausretrogamer

BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT INC. GETS SET TO CELEBRATE PAC-MAN’S 40th ANNIVERSARY WITH A MYRIAD OF PARTNERSHIPS AND EVENTS!

The Year-Long Celebration Kicks Off in 2020 as the Famous 80’s Icon Celebrates 40 Years of Entertaining Millions of Fans Around the World

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. is inviting all PAC-MAN fans around the world to “Join the PAC” and start getting ready for a year-long celebration in 2020 to commemorate PAC-MAN’s 40th Anniversary as a pop culture and video game icon. To get a sneak peek at the activities, partnerships, and surprises to come, visit https://www.pacman.com/en-us/.

Born on May 22, 1980, PAC-MAN immediately rose to meteoric popularity, first in video game arcades, then on the pop culture stage with hit song “PAC-MAN Fever” and through an array of branding and entertainment appearances. With a brand recognition rate of 90% around the world, PAC-MAN’s image and brand is one of the most recognised on the planet and is as strong as ever as he enters his 40th year of entertaining fans of all ages.

PAC-MAN’s 40th Anniversary celebration in 2020 will include the debut of a new PAC-MAN 40th Anniversary theme song, composed by world-renowned Japanese Techno artist Ken Ishii. It will be accompanied by a music video directed by Yuichi Kodama, who has won awards at the Cannes International Advertising Festival, the Clio Awards, and the One Show Interactive. He was also the chief video director for the flag handover ceremony at the Rio Olympics Closing Ceremony. Multiple branding crossovers with Kipling®, Champion®, TIMEX®, and BAIT® will become available throughout the year. Fans will also be able to “Join the PAC” at celebratory events taking place throughout the year around the world.

To learn more and stay tuned with everything about PAC-MAN’S 40th Anniversary celebrations, bookmark this site now.


source: Bandai Namco Entertainment America

Filed Under: Announcements, History, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: Arcade, Atari, Bandai Namco, Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc, Bandai Namco US, BNEI, Join the PAC, Namco, Old School, Pac Man 40, Pac-Man, Pac-Man 40th anniversary, Pacman, PACMAN40, Retro Gamer, Retro Gaming, retrogaming

Man Walks into a Bar and Sees a Pac-Man Machine

June 26, 2018 By David Cutler

Source: Steve Ringman/The Chronicle 1981

By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

I recently walked into a hipster bar that I had never been in before. I immediately felt slightly old. Everyone there was in their early twenties; some of them didn’t look old enough to order a beer. As I made my way past the bustling, long bar, I noticed something in the back corner of the place that I hadn’t seen in a longtime.

A large group of twentysomethings were gathered around an original Pac-Man arcade machine. I hadn’t seen a Pac-Man machine since I was a little kid. It was a smack of nostalgia in a place I didn’t expect it.

Like the Rubik’s Cube or the DeLorean DMC-12, Pac-Man is an 80s icon. Seeing a vintage machine with a group of Millennials playing it, made me curious. I sat at a small booth near the Pac-Man machine and watched the young group feed the machine quarters. They were having such a blast trying to see who could reach the highest score with one quarter.

source: ausretrogamer

After a few craft beers, I wanted to try my hand at Pac-Man; but they had taken over the machine. It was entertaining watching them shriek and groan when they got devoured by a ghost. It may’ve been the first time any of them had ever played the arcade version of Pac-Man, but I still wanted my turn.

Pac-Man brings people together. From the time the game was released in arcades in October 1980, Pac-Man has been a unifier that you could play with friends. Pac-Man is cross-generational. It seems simple at first, but as you keep playing, the difficulty of each stage keeps you addicted to clear the maze.

When Pac-Man was released in 1980, movie theatre owners and movie moguls were worried that the game would hurt the film industry. Pac-Man was taking money away from Paramount and 20th Century Fox. Pac-Man’s enormous popularity was short-lived, but at its height, movie studio executives had to be worried about how long they would be competing with the bright yellow machines.

I never got to play the Pac-Man machine in that bar that night, but I enjoyed watching the twentysomethings play a game that this October will turn 38-years-old. Will there ever be another Pac-Man? I doubt it.

source: ausretrogamer

 

Filed Under: History, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: 000000, 1980s, 80s, 80s icon, Arcade, barcade, Classic Arcade Gaming, David Cutler, DC Cutler, Midway, Namco, Pac-Man, Pacman, Retro Game, retrogaming, Toru Iwatani, video game

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