Pac-Man
Pac-Man for TI-99/4A is a port of the extremely popular Action/Maze arcade version of the same game originally created by Namco. The port for TI-99/4a was developed by Atarisoft and released on Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module cartridge. Pac-Man was programmed for Texas Instruments by Howard Scheer and released in 4th quarter of 1983. It originally sold for $44.95 (USD).
| Pac-Man | |
|---|---|
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| Publisher(s) | Atarisoft |
| Original Retail Price | $44.95 (USD) |
| Programmer(s) | Howard Scheer |
| Part# | RX 8500 |
| Format(s) | Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module |
| Release | 1983 (4th quarter) |
| Genre(s) | Action, Maze |
Contents
Gameplay
The player in Pac-Man controls a character of the same name through a maze filled with little dots. But, the player isn't the only one traversing the maze. There are four enemy ghosts bent on catching Pac-Man, resulting in the loss of one life. The player's goal is to clear the little dots by eating them, completing the level and sending the player to the next level, all while avoiding those pesky ghosts.
But, Pac-Man has a trick up his sleeves for the ghosts. There are four larger, flashing dots called "energizers" of "power pellets." When Pac-Man eats an energizer or power pellet, he turns the tables on enemy ghouls allowing him, for a limited amount of time, to eat the ghosts. The player knows when the enemies become vulnerable because they change color to blue and wander in a more daze-like fashion. Points are given for each enemy captured when in this state, and the points for each consecutive ghost increase when the player gets them with one power pellet power-up. When the energy from a power pellet begins to wear off, the ghosts start flashing from blue to white quickly, letting the player know that he/she will soon become vulnerable again to the crafty menaces.
Each ghost, designated by a different color, has a unique personality and set of abilities. Blinky (red) directly chases after Pac-Man, while Pinky (pink) and Inky (cyan) always attempt to get in Pac-man's way, positioning themselves where they believe the player is headed. Clyde (orange) waffles between chasing Pac-Man and running away from him.
Points are earned for each dot and power pellet consumed, and for each ghost eaten while energized. Points are also awarded for eating the bonus items, often fruit, which randomly appear under the center box and stay for a short period of time.
Advertising Blurbs
Triton Catalog - Fall 1988
The arcade classic! Guide your hungry Pac-Man on a feast of dot chomping as you rack up the points. Avoid the voracious goblins and turn the tables on them by munching an energy dot. Send your score into the thousands by eating yummy bonus nuggets.
From Back of Retail Packaging
Hungry Pac-Man vs. the Gobbling Goblins: The refinements of dot chomping lead to high scores as hungry Pac-Man avoids ambush by voracious goblins. When Pac-Man gulps an energy dot he can turn the tables and eat everything in sight . . . that includes yummy bonus nuggets, sending scores into the thousands. But goblins won't allow themselves to be gobbled for long; and soon become their old selves, fast and sneaky, to try to put an end to Pac-Man's three lives.
Fun Facts
- Pac-Man has been one of the most successful video games of all time being a fan favorite and listed on most greatest video games of all times lists. [3]
Manual
Introduction
Inserting the cartridge and joystick controllers
Insert the PAC MAN game cartridge into the cartridge slot on the top right of the console with the label side up. Push in carefully and firmly.
Turn on the Texas Instrument Home Computer by sliding the power switch on the front of the console to the right. The red light will turn on when the computer is on.
Plug the joysticks into the joystick port on the left side of the console.
Selecting the Game
When the multi-colored Texas Instrument title screen appears, press any key to continue. Next, the menu will appear with PAC-MAN as option 2. Press 2 on the keyboard.
Players
For one player tupe 1. For two players, type 2.
Level of Difficulty
To select level, press (+) plus key to choose a level from 1 to 9.
To Start the Game
Start the game by pressing ENTER key.
Pause
Press the SPACE BAR on the computer if you want to pause in the middle of a game. To resume play, move the joystick in any direction or press the fire button.
To Restart Game
Pressing the PLUS (+) key will allow you to start PAC-MAN over at any time during the gameplay. The high score from any previous game is retained on the screen until the computer is turned off. The FUNCTION QUIT key will not maintain high score.
| Maze # | Bonus Nugget | Nugget Value | Pac-Man's Speed | Blinky's Speed | Other Goblins' Speed | Goblins are Blue | Blue Goblins Flash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
100 | 50 | 40 | 40 | 4 sec | 5 times |
| 2 |  |
200 | 50 | 40 | 40 | 3 sec | 5 times |
| 3 |  |
500 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 2 sec | 5 times |
| 4 | |
500 | 60 | 50 | 50 | 1 sec | 5 times |
| 5 |  |
700 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 0 sec | 5 times |
| 6 | |
700 | 70 | 70 | 50 | 3 sec | 5 times |
| 7 |  |
1000 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 0 sec | 5 times |
| 8 | |
1000 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 0 sec | 5 times |
| 9 |  |
2000 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 0 sec | 3 times |
| 10 | |
2000 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 3 sec | 5 times |
| 11 |  |
3000 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 0 sec | 5 times |
| 12 | |
3000 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 0 sec | 3 times |
| 13 |  |
5000 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 0 sec | 3 times |
| 14 | |
5000 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 1 sec | 3 times |
| 15 | |
5000 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 0 sec | 5 times |
| 16 | |
5000 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 0 sec | 3 times |
| 17 | |
5000 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 0 sec | 3 times |
| 18 | |
5000 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 0 sec | 3 times |
| 19 and up | |
5000 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 0 sec | 0 times |
Scoring
These tasty bonus nuggets are valuable prizes. Clear out the maze and their value rises. Every once-in-a-while, they're yours for free. But you've got just 8 seconds to grab one and flee.
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. . . . . . . . | 100 (1st maze) |
|
. . . . . . . . | 200 (2nd maze) |
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. . . . . . . . | 500 (3rd, 4th maze) |
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. . . . . . . . | 700 (5th, 6th maze) |
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. . . . . . . . | 1000 (7th, 8th maze) |
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. . . . . . . . | 2000 (9th, 10th maze) |
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. . . . . . . . | 3000 (11th, 12th maze) |
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. . . . . . . . | 5000 (13th maze on) |
Two big lips smacking in the middle of your face, Chomping on those dots to stay ahead in this race. Stay ahead of those goblins, 'cause they're trouble no doubt. Get yourself nabbed just three times and you're out. But there's good news for you when you rack-up the score! REACH 10,000 POINTS AND YOU GET ONE TURN MORE!
Bite an energy dot and the goblins turn blue, and that means 50 more points for you. It's also your chance to turn the table. So chase those goblins and bite while you're able. The more goblins you grab, the more points you score. 200, 400, 800, then more!
But when they start blinking, you better 'turn track, 'Cause that's when the goblins' true colors come back. The goblins are coming, they're on the attack, man. You like to chomp dots, but they like chomping PAC-MAN.
Blinky is fastest, so watch where he goes Pinky is sneakier than anyone knows. Inky has quite a few tricks up his cape. Clyde cuts you off so there's just no escape.
Downloads
Pac-Man Cartridge
Pac-Man Manual Front Cover
Pac-Man Box (front)
Pac-Man Box (back)
Pac-Man Manual Complete (pdf format)
Pac-Man MAME/MESS Rom (rpk format)
Atarisoft Warranty Card (pdf format)
Atarisoft Questionnaire Card
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