Iconic yellow chomper Pac-Man turns 45 with doughnuts, cookbook, more
Pac-Man's iconic yellow pie-shaped chomper turns 45 today.
The game was officially released on May 22, 1980 in Japanese arcades before launching in the United States in October 1980, according to the Pac-Man website.
Transcending generations and new advancements in technology, Pac-Man is the best-selling arcade video game ever, according to the National Museum of Play.
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., the maker of the game, said in a press release that it is commemorating the 45th anniversary of the game "with an unprecedented year-long campaign."
For now, though, there are a slew of ways fans can celebrate the game's birthday, from getting a Krispy Kreme doughnut to ordering the official Pac-Man cookbook.
Here's a look at how the iconic game's anniversary is being celebrated.
On May 22, Pac-Man's anniversary, Krispy Kreme is offering customers a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for just 25 cents with the purchase of any dozen at regular price, the company said in a news release earlier this month.
The chain also announced a new doughnut collection in honor of Pac-Man.
The Krispy Kreme x Pac-Man Collection features three new doughnuts in a custom Pac-Man game dozen box. The collection has been available since May 12 for a limited time at participating Krispy Kreme shops.
Pac-Man is known for eating, after all.
"PAC-MAN: The Official Cookbook" was released on May 13 and includes more than 60 recipes inspired by the game, according to its description.
"From energy-filled snacks to super-filling dinners, these colorful, creative recipes will have you raring to get to the legendary level 256!" the book's description says.
The cookbook is available for purchase on Amazon for $29.99.
Celebrating the game's anniversary wouldn't be complete without a round or two.
While the game first launched in in-person arcades, it's been adapted for players in the modern age.
For the game's 30th anniversary in 2010, Google released a special Doodle — an alteration of the Google logo on its homepages.
The 30th anniversary Doodle is still available to play online now.
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is releasing a new game inspired by Pac-Man, and gamers can preorder it now.
The game, Shadow Labyrinth, is "a 2D action platformer and a genre-twisting alternate take on the iconic PAC-MAN," according to Bandai Namco.
It will be released on July 18, but can be preordered now on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo.
Contributing: Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY
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