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> Results: Pac-Man World Rally
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One of the most iconic video game characters of all time is also the most simplistic. Who knew that the yellow pie shaped Pac-Man would still be popular even today and starring along with game pals from classic Namco titles in his own racing game?
If you are familiar with cartoon kart racing games like Mario Kart or Crash Team Racing then you already know what to expect from Pac-Man World Rally. First, pick a racer like Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, the four ghost monsters Blinky, Pinky, Inky, or Clyde, or a handful of other classic Namco characters like Pooka and Fygar from Dig Dug or the Prince from Katamari Damacy. You race on a handful of cartoony tracks inspired by the Pac-Man World games and other classic Namco properties, speed through the haunted Ghost Mansion, psychedelic fun house, and even take a trip down memory lane inside a giant Pac-Man tabletop cocktail arcade machine! Weapons and traps you pick up along the way are used to slow down the other racers. Since this is still a Pac-Man game, expect lots of chomping and chasing mixed into the racing. Bonus fruits open up shortcuts on the race tracks. Pac-Dots are also scattered about, and if you collect enough of them, you can change your car into the mechanical Pac-Mobile and turn the other racers into blue ghosts on unicycles to chomp them up for the lead. Race against the computer or another human player in cup races or go head to head in car battle modes with fruit based weaponry. Chomp ghosts and earn gold trophies to unlock racers, tracks, and special weapons. Graphics are bright and colorful with lots of animated critters on the race tracks to look at and avoid. Music and sound is filled with familiar catchy Pac-Man arcade jingles and sound effects. Play control is also solid and responsive, pulling off power slides and advanced steering moves is a snap. Pac-Man World Rally is a little too much like other kart racers, but for only 30 bucks, it's still a nice little diversion for racing fans and Pac-Man nuts alike.  
Pac-Man World Rally is very kid friendly. No reading skill is required, and the difficulty is set pretty light, especially if your kids are well versed in the ways of Mario Kart. While they may not be as familiar with the Pac games you grew up with, they can still appreciate the cartoony graphics and simple gameplay. Violence is only mild and cartoon-like, as the rating indicates. Racers get flattened and tossed about, but they always spring back into action in less then a second after being trampled.
One of the new racers in Pac-Man World Rally is the Pac-Devil, an evil red Pac-Man. The Pac-Devil, along with some guardian angel (and devil) shield weapons might offend strongly religious families. Other than that, the game is squeaky clean. If you buy Pac-Man World Rally for your kids, keep in mind that if they already have Mario Kart or a similar racer, you're basically buying the same game again for them. But at only 30 bucks, Pac-Man's latest is still an entertaining game for your kids. This review edited by Dave Long Comments? Chat about it in our forums! Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Browse Amazon.com's selection of "pac-man" themed games Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Pac-Man World Rally |
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