A new collaboration between Atari and Bandai Namco has been announced, bringing PAC-MAN themed hardware and classic Namco arcade ports to the Atari+ platform. The partnership pays homage to the companies’ shared history from the early 1980s, when Atari held distribution rights for Namco’s games outside Japan, leading to the creation of the best-selling Atari 2600 PAC-MAN port.
New PAC-MAN Edition Console
The standout piece is the Atari 2600+ PAC-MAN Edition console ($169.99), featuring a bright yellow design with an illuminated front panel displaying PAC-MAN and the four ghosts. Beyond the eye-catching aesthetics, this console includes an important internal upgrade – support for keypads and driving controllers that wasn’t present in the original 2600+. This “parity board” upgrade brings the hardware in line with the 7800+ and cannot be added to existing 2600+ consoles via firmware update.
The bundle includes the improved wireless CX40+ joystick and a re-released PAC-MAN cartridge featuring both the original 2600 version and an enhanced 7800 port. Additional bundles are available, including the Game Bundle ($274.96) with four classic games, and the Mega Collector Bundle ($434.92) featuring all five ghost-themed joysticks.
Ghost Edition Joysticks
Five new wireless CX40+ joysticks ($39.99 each or $199.95 for the set) represent PAC-MAN and the four ghosts in their iconic colors. Each features raised character inserts on top – a nice homage to the rare original CX10 joysticks from 1977. The joystick rings now display PAC-MAN dots and power pellets instead of standard markers, adding thematic detail.
These wireless controllers include both DE-9 and USB dongles, making them compatible with original Atari hardware, modern PCs, and emulation setups like MiSTer or Raspberry Pi systems – a thoughtful touch that extends their utility beyond the new consoles.
High Score Collection 7800
The physical cartridge releases ($169.99 for the four-game set, $34.99 individually) bring classic Namco arcade ports to 7800 format: Galaga, Xevious, Dig Dug, and an enhanced PAC-MAN. The first three are straight reissues of the well-regarded original 7800 ports developed by General Computer Corporation, which have become expensive collector’s items.
The PAC-MAN release is particularly interesting – it’s based on Robert DeCrescenzo’s highly-rated 2005 homebrew port but has been refined for this official release. The “Double Feature” cartridge includes both the enhanced 7800 version and the original 2600 port for comparison, complete with custom artwork by Hiro Kimura, who worked on original PAC-MAN marketing materials.
Atari 50 DLC Expansion
For those preferring digital collections, the “Namco Legendary Pack” DLC for Digital Eclipse’s Atari 50th Anniversary Collection adds documentary content, developer interviews, and playable versions including multiple PAC-MAN variants (2600, 5200, and 8-bit computer versions), plus arcade versions of Dig Dug and Xevious – marking their first console re-release.
This collaboration represents more than simple re-releases, offering genuine hardware improvements and thoughtful design touches that should appeal to both collectors and players looking to experience classic Namco games on authentic Atari hardware. The wireless controller compatibility with vintage systems is particularly clever, extending the appeal beyond just owners of the new consoles.
