In an alternate dimension where things make sense, “Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions” is a great game. Or the same game, costing $9.99. This six-in-one collection includes the original arcade sensations, acclaimed updates that have appeared in the last couple years, and two games designed exlusively for the 3DS.
The first newcomer, “Pac-Man Tilt,” proves the old adage that Pac-Man is always less fun when he has arms and legs. This 2-D side-scroller uses the hand-held system’s internal motion sensors, in that if you tilt the 3DS, Pac-Man will turn into a ball that can roll through tunnels, Sonic-style.
The second, “Galaga 3D Impact,” is a first-person flight through space that has you moving your 3DS around to aim at the space bugs that pop into view. It’s kind of like that Disneyland ride Star Tours, except a lot less fun and a lot more headache-inducing.
| SSLqPac-Man & Galaga Dimensions’ |
| » System: 3DS |
| » Price: $39.99 |
| » Rating: 2 out of 5 stars |
These dressed-up tech demos aside, the heart of “Dimensions” is “Pac-Man Championship Edition,” the excellent 2007 update that was the last game “Pac-Man” creator Toru Iwatani worked on before retiring. This psychedelic iteration changes the layouts of the maps on the fly, and is powered by music that takes great advantage of Pac-Man’s movement sounding just like police sirens. But even this fast-paced frenzy never reaches the feverish heights of 2008’s “Space Invaders Extreme,” which, despite its silly name, set the gold standard for updates to classic games.
So, really, apart from an opening theme that does Daft Punk better than Daft Punk, “Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions” is $40 for a portable version of “Pac-Man Championship Edition” — a game you can download to your PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 for $10. You willing to pay a $30 portability tax?
