Developer: Namco
Genre: Maze / Arcade
Platform: Arcade (later ported to nearly every gaming system)

Pac-Man is one of the most iconic and influential video games ever created. Released in 1980 by Japanese developer Namco, it became a cultural phenomenon and helped define the golden age of arcade games.

Gameplay

You play as Pac-Man, a yellow, circular character who moves through a maze, eating pellets. The goal is to clear the maze of all the dots while avoiding four colorful ghosts: Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde. If Pac-Man eats a power pellet, he can temporarily turn the tables and eat the ghosts for bonus points.

Legacy

Pac-Man was revolutionary:

• It appealed to a wider audience, including women.
• It introduced characters and humor to gaming.
• It had a catchy theme and iconic sound effects.

It also led to:

• Merchandise (toys, cartoons, breakfast cereal!)
• Numerous sequels and spin-offs like Ms. Pac-Man.
• Being one of the most recognizable gaming mascots ever.