It’s hard to believe that it’s been 45 years since Pac-Man chomped his way from arcades into our hearts. Ever since Japan’s “Puck Man” began navigating mazes, eating power pellets, and devouring ghosts in 1980, the game and character was a pop-culture force to be reckoned with. Beyond energizing a burgeoning electronic game marketplace Pac-Man immediately became a merchandising machine generating billions of dollars of revenue over the decades. An iconic character with recognition akin to Mickey Mouse, let’s take a look at some of the best—and in some cases weirdest—examples of Pac-Man merch through the years.
Pac-Man Fever Vinyl Record
Before video game soundtracks were a thing, Pac-Man Fever by Buckner & Garcia hit the Billboard charts. Yes, this actual song (and full album!) about Pac-Man was a legit hit. This novelty song was a certified hit reaching #9 on the Billboard charts and selling over one million copies to reach gold status! It’s funky, cheesy, and irresistibly nostalgic. If you ever wanted to hear people harmonize about gobbling power pellets, this is your jam.
Pac-Man Cereal
Because what’s a better way to get energized and to start your day than eating a bowl of Pac-Man-shaped marshmallows? This General Mills-made cereal was a sugar bomb with ghosts and yellow spheres floating in milk, and yet it somehow managed to be both ridiculous and iconic. It even came with mini-games on the box. Breakfast was never this pixelated.
Pac-Man Suit
Yes, it’s real. A full blazer-and-pants combo covered in Pac-Man mazes and ghosts. It’s loud, ridiculous, and 100% confidence-required. The kind of outfit you wear when you’re either the best man or the boss at a LAN party. Buy your own on Amazon today!
Pac-Man Telephone
To borrow from Lionel Ritchie, “Hello? Is it me you’re looking for?” In the case of a plastic, foldable Pac-Man phone, then 100% yes! Landline phones were ubiquitous–everyone had them! However, some of next-level individuals chose to stand out for their choice of communication device. If you weren’t interested in a set of glossy red lips or a giant football, then Pac-Man was your best bet to dial up some fun. Is it practical? Not really, but it’s so iconic the Smithsonian has one in their collection.
Pac-Man Toilet Paper
Not sure how Pac-Man toilet paper ever got the green light, but it did. While there have been thousands upon thousands of Pac-Man licensed pieces of merchandise produced, this is the only one purposefully designed to be flushed down the toilet. Maybe that’s where the idea to make this short-lived 3-ply should have been sent. Wipe it from your memory!
Pac-Man LCD Wristwatch Game
You thought Apple Watch was cool? Try playing Pac-Man on your wrist in the ’80s. You may have had your fancy Casio calculator watch, but real ones had this Nelsonic wannabe. This little marvel let kids sneak in a few ghost-chasing moments during math class. It’s clunky, it’s barely visible, but man, was it cool to be the kid with a literal arcade on your arm.
Pac-Man Pasta
Yep, Pac-Man-shaped pasta in a can. Because when you’re slurping tomato sauce-drenched noodles, what you really want is to see tiny yellow circles with eyes. There was the pasta with spaghetti sauce with cheese flavor in the green can and the pasta with chicken-flavored sauce in the blue can. Let’s face it, 1984 was a magical time. Nutritional value: questionable. Nostalgia factor: off the charts. Check out the original commercial on YouTube!
Pac-Man Air Freshener
What does Pac-Man smell like? According to these little dangling car fresheners—probably lemon? However, if it were authentic to an ’80s arcade it would smell like spilled soda, teenage boy funk, and cigarette smoke. Ah…we get misty-eyed even thinking about it. Either way, hanging a cartoon yellow orb next to your rearview mirror was peak gamer swagger in 1982. Move over fuzzy dice, nothing says classy ride like a urinal-cake-smelling yellow hockey puck.
Pac-Man Arcade 1UP
Okay, this one’s obvious—but we can’t skip it. The original full-size yellow arcade machine is pure retro royalty, but was unobtainable in its heyday and economically out of reach as a vintage relic for many collectors. However, thanks to the folks at Arcade 1UP, homeowners and average joes are finally able to affordably live out their dream of a Pac-Man arcade cabinet in their home. Yes, it isn’t exactly the same as the original and its build quality isn’t commercial grade, but its artwork, joystick, and iconic wakka wakka sounds make it more than just a game—it’s a time-traveling portal to the golden age of arcades. For many, it’s as close as they’ll come to the holy grail.