
Update:
Earlier today we reported on a teaser for Pac-Man Vs., and it now emerges that the GameCube original will be included in the upcoming release of Namco Museum on Nintendo Switch, which is fantastic news. The full game list for the Japanese edition - via JapaneseNintendo.com - is below.
- Pac-Man
- Pac-Man VS
- Dig Dug
- Galaga
- Galaga ‘88
- The Tower of Druaga
- Rolling Thunder
- Rolling Thunder 2
- SkyKid
- Splatterhouse
- Tank Force
Original Article:
The GameCube is fondly regarded by many, and one title that regularly pops up at retro game gatherings and expos is Pac-Man Vs. It was rather unique in how it utilised the wired connection between the GameCube and Game Boy Advance, making it rather surprising that the series didn't make a comeback on Wii U (using the GamePad).

It does seem like a comeback is on the cards, however, with Bandai Namco teasing an upcoming announcement via a tweet:
As site regular Nintendoforlife highlights, this tease bears a strong resemblance to an equivalent screen from Pac-Man Vs.
The original was exclusive to Nintendo hardware, though it has since made its way to smart devices in some forms. It's tough to predict whether this could be a prospective Switch project; on the one hand Bandai Namco has a close relationship with Nintendo, but it's also shown plenty of enthusiasm before now bringing Pac-Man to phones.
We'll keep an eye out for an announcement; would you like to see a new Pac-Man Vs. on Switch?
Comments 43
I loved those games
Could be related to Switch's "Namco Museum" since "Pacman Vs" is confirmed as part for the Japanese release.
A Switch project seems less likely due to the lack of dual screens, but I suppose implementing connectivity with a 3DS (or even a smart device) would not be impossible.
I have the original and found it quite fun. Should probably dig it out to try with the kids...
Edit: I posted before I saw the comment above about Namco Museum - interesting!
@Shiryu I just came to post that
Interested to see what this is. The Pac game I really want on Switch though is an eShop port of Pac-Man Championship Edition DX. Loved that game on PS3 and it would fit perfectly on the Switch's big HD screen for quick sessions on the train.
@BriBri I really wished they did a psychical released of that...
I predict a mobile game.
In this corner, Man! In this other corner, not so Man! It's Pac-Man Vs.!
I don't quite understand the Namco-Nintendo relationship. Namco (and Bandai) were there on the NES. Nintendo has trusted Namco with arcade versions of one of its most valuable franchises (Mario Kart). And yet its support of the Wii U was really limited (Tank, Tank, Tank and Lost Reapers), and it does not seem all in for the Switch. Hoping that changes; these industry legends should work together.
Yes. I actually would like to see this return to a Nintendo console. It was hilariously funny back in the day, playing this with a bunch of friends on the GameCube.
Pac-Man Vs. was awesome. Though probably not quite awesome enough to eventually build an entire console around, like they did with the Wii U. After all, Mario Chase is basically Pac-Man Vs and Mario Chase is basically the only truly great (non-clutching-at-straws) use of the Wii U Gamepad, but still, awesome nonetheless.
Ms Pac Man Vs and id be interested
@bluedogrulez Isn't Pokken Tournament a Bandai Namco game?
Namco were also the head developers for Smash Bros on Wii U.
I got a copy of Pac-Man VS. that came with R. Racing (USA GameCube). Really fun multi-player game. Just wish it had COM support.
Mark my words, it's gonna be a mobile game.
I'm thinking pacman on phones
Please, physical edition of Namco Museum.
I'm assuming this could work well on 3DS. Not so sure about it on Switch.
I don't see why people think this can't work on a switch. You can play it on a 2DS, which is a single screen display that just creates a second screen, and is about the size of a switch screen.
Whoa! That is great news...but how will it work on Switch?
@Fuz maybe vol. 2 ?
Would still like to see Pac-Land make it's way to the Switch. Also, regarding the Nintendo/Namco collaboration, it would have been great to see Mario Kart Arcade come to Switch as a new title rather that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe but I guess there are performance and/or licensing issues that would prevent this happening.
@Shiryu Unfortunately from the price ($27) it implies digital release only. Most retail games are upwards of $45 in Japan.
So when will this come out?
@galaia2004: Love to see the MK GPS on the Switch....!! I think it would sell great even with the MK8+ release. Gamers/collectors love series and would jump at the chance to play these MK installments at home and to add them to their collections.
Im waiting for this. I'll buy. Also Street Fighter at $20.
@BriBri Yeah, they had confirmed it later last year it was digital only despite a box artwork showing up.
@Roam85 Except this is a multiplayer game where one player is meant to have a screen the others can't see, like in Nintendo Land. I think the only way it could work as intended is by using two Switches.
@Zyrac oh yeah, I expect it to really require up to four.
As some have already pointed out, the three asynchronous counter-op games in Nintendoland are basically riffs on Pacman VS.
This article does not contain the information that Pacman VS was designed by Miyamoto(!) together with a team from EAD.
Miyamoto had been rather disappointed that people didn't get proper chances to utilize the linking possibilities between GameCube/GBA and Wii/DS.
So much so that he lobbied hard for the Wii U to come with a second screen as a standard. It ended up being rather confusing to the audience, but those three heirs to Pacman VS still hold up today as spectacular multiplayer fun.
@bluedogrulez Namco was also responsible for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & 3DS, they also help published Baten Kaitos for GameCube as well as also released Tekken Tag Tournament 2 for Wii U complete with exclusive Nintendo contents. Not only that they allow Nintendo characters from Xenoblade Chronicles X, Xenosaga, and Fire Emblem Awakening to appeared in Project X Zone 2. They also pick the best guest character for GameCube's version of Soul Calibur II, they allow Pac-Man to be in Super Smash Bros. 4, they released Tales of the Abyss for 3DS, they released Tekken Prime for 3DS complete with online play and running at 60fps and they developed Pokken Tournament both for consoles and arcade plus they are planning to bring a new Tales game for Switch.
I say they are in good terms with Nintendo, the only third party that I believe still had beef with Nintendo are Konami, Capcom and Square Enix with Capcom being the most unsupportive of the three. At least with Konami and Square Enix despite their greedy culture and practice at the very least they still manage to work alongside Nintendo to release good hits, Capcom on the otherhands would rather just come in, make a few bucks off of ports then backstab their fanbase and run.
@retro_player_22 : Yes, I see your point. I was definitely thinking about the Project Cars fiasco. When Namco took over the game, I thought the promised Wii U support was certain, but that didn't happen and I was a bit cross about that. But that was likely a unique circumstance.
Pacman VS is the best Pacman game, can North America get some love Namco?
Kinda surprised/disappointed to see no love for the superior Ms. Pac-Man...
Cool, but how the hell are we gonna play this without a second screen?
Please do a physical release...
I love Pac Man vs. It will be perfect for Switch
The whole concept of the game is ruined on Switch though. The whole idea is that pac-man is on the GBA screen and players on the TV screen play the ghosts who only have a limited view of the maze and have to look for Pac-Man. If the GBA screen is replicated on the bigger screen, then ghost players just have to peek at that smaller screen, so it defeats the whole purpose of this game existing at all.
The one platform on which it would have been a great idea to bring it back was the Wii U.
@Haywired "Chase is basically the only truly great (non-clutching-at-straws) use of the Wii U Gamepad"
Uh, no. Super Mario Maker is the best game ever, and it never would have happened without that gamepad.
@Kafei2006 Maybe a 3DS or another Switch will be connected and that could be the Pac-Man player?
Just when all hope for this game to be - someday - ported seemed to be lost.
Nice and everything but....how will it work?
I just saw Rolling Thunder. That is all.
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