I Just Discovered Ms. Pac-Man Has 2 Player Co-op
I'm probably really late on this, but this is news to me as of yesterday. I was searching for kid friendly 2 player games and was surprised to see Ms Pac-Man on a list. I had played Pac-Man of course (who hasn't?) but never tried Ms Pac-Man because I was a boy and figured it was just a girly skin on a classic game.
Little did I know that the console versions enabled 2 player (competitive or co-op), which would make this a perfect game for my 2 daughters (2/4). Girl themed, simple controls, 2 players at a time, perfect.
I can't believe this wasn't heavily marketed at the time though? You'd think there would be big bold letters on the front (now 2 players at the same time!) or something like that. That's a huge functionality boost from a game that I thought was just a reskin.
So, adding a poll... did you know about this?
Little did I know that the console versions enabled 2 player (competitive or co-op), which would make this a perfect game for my 2 daughters (2/4). Girl themed, simple controls, 2 players at a time, perfect.
I can't believe this wasn't heavily marketed at the time though? You'd think there would be big bold letters on the front (now 2 players at the same time!) or something like that. That's a huge functionality boost from a game that I thought was just a reskin.
So, adding a poll... did you know about this?
Comments
The NES version does?
Yup, NES, SNES, Genesis, all the console versions. I don't believe the original arcade did, so kind of odd that it got ported to home. Even odder that it wasn't emphasized as a difference from the original.
I'm probably really late on this, but this is news to me as of yesterday. I was searching for kid friendly 2 player games and was surprised to see Ms Pac-Man on a list. I had played Pac-Man of course (who hasn't?) but never tried Ms Pac-Man because I was a boy and figured it was just a girly skin on a classic game.
Little did I know that the console versions enabled 2 player (competitive or co-op), which would make this a perfect game for my 2 daughters (2/4). Girl themed, simple controls, 2 players at a time, perfect.
I can't believe this wasn't heavily marketed at the time though? You'd think there would be big bold letters on the front (now 2 players at the same time!) or something like that. That's a huge functionality boost from a game that I thought was just a reskin.
So, adding a poll... did you know about this?
This must have been a unique feature for the console versions, because I have a Ms Pac Man arcade cabinet and it's 2 player, but no cooperative. Either way, I consider it the perfect game to start kids (especially girls) with. Assuming you're playing the SNES version, you could probably hook it up to a Game Genie and use codes for your 2 year old.
Then Have them get halfway decent at this, and them move them on to Super Mario Bros or something similar.
While this game is easy on the first two levels, it gets VERY difficult. My high score is only lightly over 50,000, and that 4th maze is fucking brutal! I even watched the youtube videos of the ghost paterns, but was never able to actually apply it during actual gameplay.
I'm probably really late on this, but this is news to me as of yesterday. I was searching for kid friendly 2 player games and was surprised to see Ms Pac-Man on a list. I had played Pac-Man of course (who hasn't?) but never tried Ms Pac-Man because I was a boy and figured it was just a girly skin on a classic game.
Little did I know that the console versions enabled 2 player (competitive or co-op), which would make this a perfect game for my 2 daughters (2/4). Girl themed, simple controls, 2 players at a time, perfect.
I can't believe this wasn't heavily marketed at the time though? You'd think there would be big bold letters on the front (now 2 players at the same time!) or something like that. That's a huge functionality boost from a game that I thought was just a reskin.
So, adding a poll... did you know about this?
This must have been a unique feature for the console versions, because I have a Ms Pac Man arcade cabinet and it's 2 player, but no cooperative. Either way, I consider it the perfect game to start kids (especially girls) with. Assuming you're playing the SNES version, you could probably hook it up to a Game Genie and use codes for your 2 year old.
Then Have them get halfway decent at this, and them move them on to Super Mario Bros or something similar.
While this game is easy on the first two levels, it gets VERY difficult. My high score is only lightly over 50,000, and that 4th maze is fucking brutal! I even watched the youtube videos of the ghost paterns, but was never able to actually apply it during actual gameplay.
Yup, and I posted about 3 seconds before you while you were typing (ha!) Very odd that they changed the port that significantly to enable a new feature that wasn't advertised or promoted.
The Tengen one? I thought that was common knowledge. I dont think the namco version does.
Interesting... can someone with both check?
This is very neat did not know that as I've played this one primarily on a cab. Would be a great one to start my little man with when he gets a little older.
Exactly my thoughts. You strategically get the powerups to eat the ghosts while the kid meanders around the maze. Seems perfect for kid play.
The Tengen one? I thought that was common knowledge. I dont think the namco version does.
Interesting... can someone with both check?
Yeah it's only the Tengen Ms Pac Man. Both NES and Genesis. Edit: and the SNES and Sega Master System versions it seems.
It has co-op and head to head (head to head if one eats a power pellet, the other can't eat anything until it wears off.)
Namco Ms Pac Man and all NES regular Pac-Mans are straight arcade ports.
I rented the game back in the day, so I was aware. It was only recently that I found it wasn't widely known.
Ms. Pac Man is one of my go-to NES multiplayer games. The ability to play with OR against your friend is great.
Tengen Tetris also has a two player mode.
The Namco version sucks.
discovered all this awesomeness a few years back and it has become a regular game in rotation for me and the wife to play.
Want a challenge? Trying playing them both at the same time. Probably easier with the level layout being set to small.
Want a challenge? Trying playing them both at the same time. Probably easier with the level layout being set to small.
If you had two joysticks it might be doable.
Want a challenge? Trying playing them both at the same time. Probably easier with the level layout being set to small.
If you had two joysticks it might be doable.
When I had it on the Genesis, I used to grab my Atari 2600 controllers, start the game up with the Genesis controlles, (because the 2600 controller didn't have a start button) and quickly swaped them out for the Atari ones. Works great.
Funny thing about the Atari controllers on the Genesis, and it could be that I just had a bad controller or something but I think icr the single button on the Atari controllers act like both the A and B buttons on the Genesis pressed at the same time, which made it wonky for some games.
Where the hell were you guys then?
I know this topic has come up at least twice since I joined here.
Where the hell were you guys then?
With a search I see you mentioned it here, but it gets over looked in long lists or genre type discussions.
http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=31&threadid=182018
Books (in this case games) get judged by their cover and it looks like a girly themed Pac-Man. People can't look for what they don't know is there. No idea it was a co-op game.
But I do remember two threads that centered on Tengen Ms. Pac-Man that discussed the co-op. One was Twiztor wanting to do a gray shell reproduction with the Tengen board.
edit: trying this tonight with the kids
Ms Pacman is not just a re-theme, by the way. The mazes are different and the ghosts are smarter.