Pac-Man Pizza Parlor - a Fun New Time Management Game

Pac-Man took the early days of video gaming by storm way back in 1980. Over the years, the popular game made leaps from the original coin-op machine to game consoles, cartoons, toys, cereal boxes, and more. Now, 30 years later the iconic game character returns in an all new time management game aimed at casual gamers.

Of course we can't forget those ghosts: Inky, Pinky, Blinky, and Clyde. They are at it again, and this this time they have caused Cathy's father to lose his memory. He is in such a poor condition, that he doesn't even recognize his own daughter. While on bed-rest at the hospital to treat his ailment, he babbles on about putting quarters in the old Pac-Man machine. Doctors are baffled at his ramblings, but Cathy knows that the old Pac-Man arcade machine hidden away in storage is what her father must be talking about. After not having seen it in years, Cathy powers up the old coin-op in hopes that by bringing the antique arcade machine to life will cure her father. Strange things happen when Pac-Man comes to life, and offers to help Cathy run the family Pizza Parlor.

As strange as the concept may seem, the game is pretty straight forward. Like other time management "dash" type games, the object is to serve a stream of customers their desired food and drink in a restaurant setting - all while playing against the clock. In Pac-Man Pizza Parlor, a Pac-Man element is added as our hero must travel on tiled floors that include mazes and obstacles to navigate in order to get the job done. Pac-Man handles the food preparation tasks in the Kitchen, while Cathy serves the readied treats to the customers. This multi-tiered approach adds a little spin to typical gameplay as the player needs to coordinate controlling both characters while serving patrons satisfactorily. For those that don't want the extra challenge, Cathy can be set to AI mode in the game's options.

Pizza Parlor offers two modes of game play, story mode, and endless mode. In Story mode, a story is naturally followed, and levels become incrementally harder as customers are served, and Cathy's father is ultimately rescued. Endless mode allows for free play, where the ultimate goal is serve customers without having them storm out of the shop as a result of poor service.

Pac-Man Pizza Parlor does not have an ESRB rating, but is suitable for gamers of all ages. The game is available as a downloadable demo, and for purchase through Big Fish Games.