Released in 1980, New Puck X is an unofficial arcade hack of Namco’s legendary Pac-Man. It takes the classic maze-chase formula and introduces a heavily modified board layout, featuring distinct central bulges at the top and bottom of the screen. As a fascinating piece of early bootleg arcade history, it offers a fresh challenge for players who have already mastered the original.
How to Play
Your objective remains the same: guide your character through the maze to eat every dot while avoiding four relentless ghosts. Eating a large power pellet turns the ghosts blue and vulnerable, allowing you to consume them for bonus points. The redesigned maze layout forces you to learn new escape routes and cornering strategies. Controls are straightforward: use the directional inputs (Arrow keys) to navigate the maze.
Tips
- Watch the Bulges: The new bulges in the top and bottom walls create tighter corridors. Avoid getting trapped by ghosts in these narrow choke points.
- Learn the New Tunnels: The escape tunnels are positioned differently than in the standard game. Memorise their locations so you can make quick getaways when cornered.
- Capitalise on Scoring: With dots worth double the points of the original game, reaching the extra life score threshold is faster. Play aggressively when power pellets are active to maximise your score.
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