Pac-Man
The player-controlled yellow character who clears mazes by eating pellets, fruit, and vulnerable ghosts.
Documented for this version
Which controls does this version use?
Actions
Arrow Up | Move up Pac-Man moves in the chosen direction when the corridor permits. |
|---|---|
Arrow Down | Move down Pac-Man moves in the chosen direction when the corridor permits. |
Arrow Left | Move left Pac-Man moves in the chosen direction when the corridor permits. |
Arrow Right | Move right Pac-Man moves in the chosen direction when the corridor permits. |
Start | Start or pause the game |
Control notes
The original NES controller uses the directional pad; arrow labels are used here for clarity.
No reliable version-specific button combinations are listed.
How it plays
How does Pac-Man play?
Pac-Man is viewed from above in a single-screen maze. The objective is to clear every ordinary pellet while staying alive; eating all pellets advances to the next maze. Fruit appears periodically as a bonus target, and each maze includes four Power Pellets.
The player steers continuously through corridors and chooses routes at intersections. Eating a Power Pellet makes the ghosts vulnerable for a short time. Ghost speed and overall pressure increase as the rounds continue, while the number of effective Power Pellet opportunities becomes more limited.
Plan your run
What is the best way to play Pac-Man?
Plan routes before entering narrow corridors, and avoid trapping yourself near a ghost. Keep an escape turn available whenever possible.
Save Power Pellets for dangerous situations or for collecting multiple ghost bonuses. Learn the maze’s turning points and use the brief vulnerability period to score safely rather than chasing a ghost into a dead end.
Meet the cast
Who are the key characters?
Blinky
The red ghost, commonly associated with direct pursuit of Pac-Man.
Pinky
The pink ghost, which attempts to intercept Pac-Man by targeting the space ahead of him.
Inky
The cyan ghost whose movement is influenced by both Pac-Man and Blinky.
Clyde
The orange ghost, whose behavior alternates between pursuit and roaming.
Before you begin
What should you know before playing?
- 1
Clear nearby pellets before committing to a long detour.
- 2
Use tunnels to create distance from pursuing ghosts.
- 3
The bonus fruit is valuable, but survival is usually more important.
Community discussion
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