For examples related to the sequels, go to the following pages.
* ''YMMV/PacManWorld2''
* ''YMMV/PacManWorld3''
* ''YMMV/PacManWorldRally''
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!!In general:
* CameraScrew: The camera is suited just fine for a TwoAndAHalfD side-scroller, but given that a lot of level segments require Pac-Man to move not only left and right, but forth and back as well, it can make many jumps much harder to accurately judge. Most notably, are some of those wheels in Spin Dizzy far away, or just really small? The remake addresses most of this problem by changing the view to a slightly top-downish one on precise platforming sections, but some areas still suffer from depth perception problems, especially in the Boss Mansion episodes.
* EnsembleDarkHorse: For being exclusive characters to the subseries, [[GadgeteerGenius Orson]] and [[EvilKnockoff Toc-Man]] are noticeable fan-favorites. Orson for being a JerkassWoobie in ''World 1'' who undergoes a HeelFaceTurn in ''World 3'', and Toc-Man for being a WorthyOpponent RobotMe in ''World 1'' who gets upgraded into a fully-controllable HumongousMecha (whom you can pilot alongside Clyde to lay waste to an army with) in ''World 3''.
* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: The series never made much of an impact in Japan, and faded into obscurity (in fact, the third entry didn't even get a Japanese release). However, it had a much better reception internationally, to the point of becoming a CultClassic, as well gaining a devoted fanbase waiting for a fourth entry or a remake/remaster (the latter of which would eventually happen to the first game in 2022).
* OlderThanTheyThink:
** Many Western fans perceive Pac-Man's limbed character design originated from these games, to the point that many have complained that there's not a single bit of ''Pac-Man World'' representation in the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series, and yet it uses his design from there. It has always been his design since the 1980s, and in fact, [[https://cdn-images-1.listennotes.com/podcasts/76-second-of-news/76-seconds-4-may-25th-6DwY1i2GULT-XevolW0zB8g.1400x1400.jpg it was his design in the Japanese cabinet art]], with the more well-known "pie" design that preceded it being seen as a case of GraphicsInducedSuperDeformed. It's noticeable when you look at [[https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMDRiZTc1MjYtMDY1Yy00ZDhkLWJjNzgtMzEyZDZkYzJkZDM2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTgwOTE5NDk@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg old official artwork]] and the early [[WesternAnimation/PacMan cartoon adaptation.]]
** The series' signature "[[GroundPound butt-bounce]]" originated from ''Pac-in-Time'', a 2D platformer. However, Pac-Man's bounce in that game was only for gaining height and couldn't damage enemies.
** A lot of Western fans also believe these were the games where Pinky [[GenderFlip was made female]]. In actuality, Pinky had been depicted female as far back as Japanese merchandise from the 1980s. Pinky [[ShesAManInJapan being male]] was invented by the cartoon, at a time when the only ghost with a feminine perceived name was Sue.

!!''Pac-Man World'' contains examples of:
* [[AwesomeBosses.VideoGames Awesome Bosses]]: The FinalBoss, Toc-Man. A giant [[RobotMe robot version of Pac-Man]] who [[FinalExamBoss requires all of Pac-Man's moves to defeat]] and [[MirrorBoss uses his own versions of said moves against you]]? ''Yes, please.'' Even better is that all of Pac-Man's friends that you've rescued help out during the fight (by restoring your health if you run out). The remake dials up the coolness even further by having him use Pac-Man's ''power-ups'' as well, with the final phase seeing him use two Power Pellets to [[MakeMyMonsterGrow grow to an enormous size]].
* CommonKnowledge: Several reports came out about how Ms. Pac-Man is the only character not returning in the remake and replaced. In actuality, all of the family members except [[VideoGame/DigDug Pooka]] are renamed.[[note]]In addition to Ms. Pac-Man becoming Pac-Mom, Pac-Man Jr. becomes Pac-Boy, Pac-Baby becomes Pac-Sis, Chomp Chomp becomes Pac-Buddy, and Professor Pac-Man becomes Professor Pac (this name was also used in ''Ms. Pac-Man Maze Madness'')[[/note]] The big difference is she has a much more drastic redesign than the other characters and is more commonly known in the public consciousness.
* DemonicSpiders: The bumper cars. To kill them, you have to use a hard-to-control technique to knock them off ledges. Most of the time they keep moving, so you'll inevitably end up falling into the abyss. If you attack them head-on, they'll knock you right back, and they turn in your direction when you get close. Thankfully made easier in ''Re-PAC'', as a single Rev Roll strike is enough to destroy one instead of needing to knock it off.
* GoddamnedBoss: Krome Keeper, the fifth boss. Damaging it requires a long sequence of hitting four switches, then the middle one before time runs out and the switches reset. The switches are heated, so you need to collect a Metal Pac-Man power-up from a random box the Keeper kicks to avoid taking damage. However, magnets are rotating around the stage and if they catch Pac-Man, they will dump him into the pool, wasting extra time. And you have to hit the middle switch 8 times, despite Krome Keeper not changing up the pattern in any way or presenting much challenge. It's widely regarded as the worst boss in the game,[[note]]The Anubis was at least memorably frustrating[[/note]] and the 2022 remake trailer showed it was completely redesigned in response to the complaints[[note]]As well as making him closer to the [[https://twitter.com/DailyPacMan/status/1610667505344827393 original game's concept art]], which couldn't be met for lack of time[[/note]].
* SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments: The [[MultipleEndings Good Ending]] of the ''Re-PAC'' version has Pac-Man, in stark contrast to eating him in the original game ([[spoiler:or in the Bad Ending, which goes like the original]]), actually reach out to and forgive [[JerkassWoobie Orson]] for everything he did, realizing [[IJustWantToHaveFriends he was just lonely]]. Orson is surprised at Pac-Man's kindness, and after apologizing to Pac-Man for kidnapping his family and friends, the two happily share a handshake. Not only is it lovely to see, but [[HeartwarmingInHindsight also makes a lot of sense]] considering Orson's eventual HeelFaceTurn in ''Pac-Man World 3''.
** The Good Ending gets even better in this regard when you see all of Pac-Man's friends and family that you rescued[[note]]If you missed any, then the Ghosts appear to free them instead[[/note]], his trashed party being rebuilt even better than before, and all of them -- plus [[GoKartingWithBowser Inky, Pinky, Blinky and Clyde]] -- coming together to celebrate Pac-Man's birthday.
* HilariousInHindsight: Toc-Man is a robotic EvilKnockoff of Pac-Man likely inspired by [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Metal Sonic]] who deluded himself into believing he's the real Pac-Man and wants to get rid of his "loathsome copy". Come ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'', this comes full circle as that's also Metal Sonic's motivation in the game.
* MemeticPsychopath: Pac-Man himself, thanks to the ending where [[spoiler:[[ShutUpHannibal he uses a Power Pellet and eats Orson]] right after the latter reveals [[IJustWantToHaveFriends how lonely he is]]]]. It's understandable in context since [[spoiler:Orson kidnapped Pac-Man's family and tried to steal his identity]], but seems like a massive dick move out of context.
* PortingDisaster: While it's understandable that the Platform/GameBoyAdvance version wouldn't have everything from its Platform/{{PlayStation}} counterpart, many feel it removes ''too'' much in the process, resulting in an extremely barebones remake. Only 12 levels remain (the original game had 23), the hub worlds and the factory levels are absent, all but one boss is cut out, the FMV cutscenes are replaced with static images and text, the maze and classic modes are nowhere to be found and much of the soundtrack is reduced to only a few tracks. While it is at least playable, given how much got removed for the sake of bringing it to the GBA, many have wonder why Namco even bothered in the first place.
* RemadeAndImproved: While the original [=PS1=] game is a CultClassic and a solid 3D platformer, the ''RE-Pac'' remake is considered by many to be the definitive version of the game. It polishes out much of the original game's FakeDifficulty and jank, improves upon the controls greatly, adds in some new content like a flutter jump and a new giant SuperMode upon eating a [[InvincibilityPowerUp power pellet]], has greatly improved and more elaborate bosses (and makes the infamous ThatOneBoss Anubis far more bearable), makes saving the family members optional and adds in an updated GoldenEnding in which [[spoiler:Pac-Man forgives and befriends Orson instead of infamously eating him like he did in the original game (though the original ending is still intact if you don't rescue Pac-Man's family)]].
* SuspiciouslySimilarSong: You seriously can't listen to the Far Out theme and not think of the theme to ''WesternAnimation/{{MASK}}''.
* TakeThatScrappy: ''Re-PAC'' makes saving the family members optional. For people who don't like [[ReplacementScrappy Pac-Mom]], this allows them to reach the end of the game without rescuing her.
* ThatOneBoss: Anubis and King Galaxian. The former for having difficult-to-avoid attacks that pursue Pac-Man while he is taking his time spinning individual platforms over lava to expose its [[AttackItsWeakPoint heart]], along with the NightmareFuel of the first part being chased by a mummy with spike and gate traps galore, and the latter for filling the screen with laser shots in a relatively cramped space while {{Zerg Rush}}ing Pac-Man with {{Mooks}} that fire even more shots and even have shields in the last phase. These are only the second and third bosses respectively out of six.
** The Anubis gets extra special mention: the devs admit they ran out of time to finish playtesting him, leading to some serious HitboxDissonance. Notably when the remake was announced in 2022, one of the first things shown off in the trailer was the fact that the Anubis' battle arena was redesigned to be less frustrating (in particular, the Rev Roll plates are no longer separate platforms and are on one big area, no longer requiring Pac-Man to jump from plate to plate).
* ThatOneLevel: Spin Dizzy. It's really long, the checkpoints are few and far between, and it's full of bottomless pits that are easy to fall into because of both moving platforms and difficulty in knowing where you're landing after a jump. The remake thankfully eases the pain by adding more checkpoints, as well as Pac-Dot chains to reduce the backtracking. But because of how the shadow doesn’t show where you will NECESSARILY land, it is still very easy to fall.
* TheyChangedItNowItSucks:
** Some fans are a bit miffed that the characters speak in a fictional [[SpeakingSimlish gibberish language]] in the remake unlike the original game, where they spoke English.
** Fans of the original game were ''not'' happy about the redesigns some of Pac-Man's family members received, most notably Pac-Mom and Pac-Sis (Originally Ms. Pac-Man and Baby Pac-Man).
* UnderusedGameMechanic:
** Rev Roll plates, despite having a Tutorial sign on what they are and how to use them in Buccaneer Beach (the introductory level), are only found in one other level afterwards (Crisis Cavern).
** Pac-Dot Explosions are only required to be used during the final boss with Toc-Man. Any other use of it is up to you.
** Bomb Dots are an area-clearing power-up that is activated with a single Butt Bounce. However, the game puts them so sparsely and are usually close to an area full of enemies anyway that it seems to be just situational. ''Re-PAC'' addresses this problem by having it reward the player with fruits for every enemy in range defeated with it and it is also elevated to a power-up alongside the Power Pellet in the King Galaxian level, where its area-clearing ability fits the nature of an UnexpectedShmupLevel.
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