10 Video Game Sequels That COMPLETELY Changed Genre
9. Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures
The jump from Arcade and 8-bit home consoles was a jarring transition, with some fairing beautifully (Mega Man) and others stumbling at the first hurdle. Namco, sadly succumbed to the latter.
Creating a sequel to one of the most influential games of all time is no easy feat, so developer Namco didn't even try, as Pac-Man 2 completely does away with the fast paced gameplay of the original. Titles like Ms. Pac-Man are more often considered sequels to the 1980 arcade classic, releasing some two years later, but the thoroughly undeserved '2' plonked on the end of The New Adventures means it, sadly, qualifies as a legitimate entry in the Pac-Man series.
Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures is a point and click adventure, shepherding the Blinky-busting hero through menial day-to-day tasks as he struggles to balance his new responsibilities as husband to Ms. Pac-Man and father to Pac-Baby. Fluctuating between a smile and a frown, you're constantly wondering if Pac-Man wants the game to be over as much as the player does.
With excellent titles like Pac-Man Championship Edition proving that the formula of old still works wonderfully, there's little reason for Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures to exist.