Pac-Man (ColecoVision Prototype, 1983) – Atarisoft’s Unreleased Classic

Pac-Man, one of the most iconic arcade games ever created, made its way to countless home consoles in the early 1980s. While it was never officially released on the ColecoVision, a completed prototype version was developed by Atari and Atarisoft in 1983.

This rare port is notable for how closely it mirrors Namco’s original arcade game, standing out as one of Atarisoft’s strongest adaptations of the era.

In this ColecoVision version of Pac-Man, players control the famous yellow character as he navigates a closed maze filled with dots. The primary objective is to clear the maze by eating every dot while avoiding the four distinctive ghosts: Blinky (red), Pinky (pink), Inky (cyan), and Clyde (orange). Each ghost has its own behavior, adding layers of challenge and unpredictability. When Pac-Man consumes a power pellet, he can temporarily turn the tables and chase the ghosts for extra points.

The prototype retains the essence of the arcade original with smooth controls, authentic maze design, and gameplay that rewards both quick reflexes and strategic movement. Players progress to the next level once the maze is cleared, but each stage increases in difficulty as the ghosts become faster and more aggressive.

Though unreleased at retail, the ColecoVision port of Pac-Man remains a fascinating piece of gaming history. Its faithful design makes it superior to many other early home versions, offering retro gaming enthusiasts a glimpse of what could have been a standout release for the ColecoVision library.

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VoxOdyssey | Retro and Classic COnsoles | ColecoVision | Catalogue Games: 1-50 | 51-100 | 101-150 | 151-200 | 201-250 | all