Pac-Man Championship Edition DX Review

Namco’s recent Xbox Live Arcade addition, Pac-Man Championship Edition DX is the improbable follow-up which offers an exponential amount of enhancements. Whereas the last iteration presented players with a few modes across a handful of mazes, DX throws out ten different levels, three intriguing objectives, new mechanics, and a host of customizable graphical options- giving players a cornucopia of content for a modest ten dollar admission price.

One of the first elements players might notice with DX is the title’s swelling sense of speed. As the golden gobbler perseveres without being eaten, a speed multiplier will advance, indicating the pace Pac and the ghosts travel through each level. Once players reach a speed in the low thirties, DX reaches a  frenzied tempo. Cleverly, the game will slow down drastically when nearing an enemy- granting players the ability to make some amazingly accurate evasions. Another tactic to offset the game’s often frantic speed is a bomb, which returns all the ghosts to the center of the playfield in exchange for a hit of the score multiplier.

To compound the chaos, DX doesn’t limit the opposition to a quartet of ghosts. Now, some foes are strategically placed through the maze, activated by the lure of a passing player. To keep the conflict in balance,  a sporadic specter  will have a power pellet inside him, which is ideal for continuing a ghost-eating run. Collectively, all of DX‘s changes implant the title with a fascinating dilemma – should players hold out for a procession of enemies to be eaten for one massive combo or play it safe and gradually eliminate any opponents?  Like the best arcade games, Championship Edition DX is about the gradual build of tension and the relentless temptation of release.

As of the title’s score chasing is elevated by a robust set of leaderboards, which shows exactly where players rank on each of the game’s courses and modes, as well as an overall score for the game. One small problem- although players can look at their acquaintances  measure of success, they won’t see their own gamertag listened among their friends rankings. It’s a small flaw that will hopefully be addressed with a patch. One nice touch- players are able to view weekly interview questions and tips from the game’s developers.