Lego’s new Pac-Man arcade revealed with loads of Easter eggs

Pac-Man’s battle royale game may be shutting down, but the spherical yellow dot-chomper’s legacy lives on — now in Lego form.

Lego revealed on Monday that Pac-Man will be bricked in a new arcade set. The build emulates a classic arcade machine, complete with Pac-Man’s classic maze, a joystick, and a coin slot (but don’t worry: no real quarters are required to enjoy). The set also comes with a miniature diorama of an ’80s gamer dominating the arcade and a larger set of Pac-Man, Blinky, and Clyde to adorn the cabinet. The machine has a crank that allows builders to simulate gameplay.

Lego has a long history of nostalgia-themed sets, including upcoming Lego sets that cover the Beatles and more. Batman Returns, the Indiana Jones movies, and the king of side-scrolling himself, Mario, but the Pac-Man set is an interesting twist on the format — both a loving ode to the Pac-Man character and design as well as the arcade experience. Fans of Lego’s recent Nintendo Entertainment System and Atari 2600 redux will likely jump at this.

Photos: Lego

“We are always looking for new and exciting ways to bring classic gaming experiences to life,” Sven Franic, Lego designer said in a news release. “Our team of talented designers worked tirelessly to capture the essence of the beloved PAC-MAN arcade machine in brick form, from PAC-MAN himself to the colourful, maze-like environment he inhabits. Every detail was carefully considered and crafted, resulting in a one-of-a-kind LEGO creation that captures the magic of the original game while adding a playful new twist and a couple of Easter eggs — in true video game style. We are thrilled to share this incredible build with the world and cannot wait to see the joy it brings to fans of all ages.”

Lego announced its news at the time of the 43rd Anniversary of the Game; Pac-Man Namco, now Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. released the first version of Puck Man on May 22, 1980. Years later, the little guy is still recognizable to new generations of gamers, even if they aren’t meeting him and his wife Pac-Mom (née Ms. Pac-Man) in local pizza shops. Pac-Man has remained a constant throughout the years.

Lego’s Pac-Man Arcade set retails for $269.99. On June 1, VIP Early Access begins, and general preorders open on April 4.