I think Pac-Man has appeared in nearly every game genre except for RPG, Strategy and Simulation, but with such a long history in gaming since 1980, I know I’ve yet to play every single game with the character in it. Namco has been keeping the character active over the past 33 years in a number of non-game projects and the latest is a fun kid’s CG animated 3D show on Disney DX called Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures, which also just so happens to be coming your way soon as a video game for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U and Microsoft Windows. Some hands-on time reveals this one to be a light and really fun romp for the kids that’s actually worth a look if you’re a creaky old platform fanatic like I am…

The game is simple to hop into and play story-based adventure romp yet has a nicely challenging element thanks to the need to pull off well-timed jump/grappling moves. Ghosts aplenty roam the levels, and yes indeed there are power pellets to gobble up, but here, Pac-Man has some special powers granted by finding special capsules (usually right before an area or object where they’re needed) that can get you past pesky enemies out to zap his life away. A chameleon suit allows for temporary invisibility as well as giving Pac a super long tongue for those aforementioned jump/grapple moves. There are Pac-hostages to rescue, a few bosses to battle and even a little collectible action for those who like to scour levels for hidden goodies.

The game looks quite good and colorful (I got to play the Xbox 360 version, but they’ll all look the same on whatever you’re playing it on), controls are tight and for the most part, the game camera behaves as it should in a 3D platform game. he one sticking point is the super-fast reappearing ghosts that may make some simple jumps really stressful for easily agitated kids, but there are a few ways to leap in peace without losing faith in the game’s fun factor. I made it through unscathed save for a few leaps I missed during one moving platform section, but the game places enough checkpoints around levels that you’ll never need to cover a ton of old ground just to make that second or third try. Overall, this one’s looking like the beginnings of a beautiful new franchise (although it does need to hit portables at some point) kids who groove on the show and (the parents who buy these tie-ins) will love.

Back with more on Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures soon… now, about that Pac-Man RPG? Namco, call me – I’ve got some crazy ideas that just might work…