![Pac-in-Time [Model SHVC-APTJ-JPN] screenshot](images/game/61914_2.png "Pac-in-Time [Model SHVC-APTJ-JPN]")
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(Pac-in-Time)
Pac-in-Time is a significant departure from the traditional maze-chasing gameplay of the Pac-Man franchise. Developed by Kalisto Entertainment and published by Namco, this side-scrolling platformer reimagines Pac-Manâs mechanics through a time-travel narrative. After being transported through a whirlpool of time by the witch "Ghost," Pac-Man must navigate five distinct worlds to reclaim his stolen treasures and find his way home.
GAME ID: SHVC-APTJ-JPN
Released on January 3, 1995 in Japan at a retail price of 7,900 JPY.
The Western Influence: Pac-in-Time is notable for being a collaboration between Namco and the French developer Kalisto (formerly Atreid Concept). It is essentially a re-skin/re-imagining of an earlier game titled Fury of the Furries. Namco adapted the platforming engine to fit the Pac-Man universe, which explains why the gameplay mechanicsâsuch as the power-ups and platformingâare drastically different from the classic arcade style.
A Shift in Mechanics: The introduction of the four power-up rings (Magic Rope, Fireball, Hammer, and Swim Bubble) turned the game into a puzzle-platformer. It forced players to think strategically about terrain traversal rather than just movement speed and maze navigation, which was a bold attempt by Namco to modernize the character for the 16-bit era.
The Ghostly Adversaries: While the iconic ghosts (Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde) make appearances, they function differently here, often acting as platforming hazards rather than just maze chasers. The game retains the classic "power-pellet" invincibility mechanic as an occasional callback, but focuses primarily on the utility of the specialized power-ups.