For legacy games, these retro franchises are facing a renaissance of new titles in recent years. For Pac-Man, the Bandai Namco-owned series continues to face new love. Recently, it was reported a new live-action movie is on the way. The Hollywood Reporter tells that Sonic the Hedgehog producer Chuck Williams is to be attached to the new production.
Additionally, Pac-Man received a repertoire experience with Pac-Man Museum+ which rolled out last spring. Not to mention Pac-Man World Re-Pac which was announced at a previous Nintendo Direct-mini. The most enticing is the Nintendo Switch exclusive Pac-Man 99 which uses the same format of Tetris 99 to integrate competitive multiplayer to the gameplay.
In a new update from Bandai Namco, the game is expected to full shut down its online servers by fall later this year. “Pac-Man 99, which is currently available as a benefit for Nintendo Switch Online members, will soon be discontinued. Distribution of the main game and sales for each DLC will end accordingly,” it reads. You can read the schedule below:
August 8, 2023 (Tue) 8:00 AM PDT
Discontinued content: Paid custom themes
September 8, 2023 (Fri) 8:00 AM PDT
Discontinued content: PAC-MAN 99 Deluxe Pack / PAC-MAN 99 Mode Unlock
October 8, 2023 (Sun) 9:00 PM PDT
Discontinuation of online services for the main game / distribution of the main game and free custom themes
“Even after online services are discontinued for the main game, users who own either of the paid DLCs (PAC-MAN 99 Deluxe Pack or PAC-MAN 99 Mode Unlock) can continue to enjoy CPU BATTLE, BLIND TIME ATTACK, and SCORE ATTACK in offline mode,” Bandai Namco also adds in the same blog post.
The publisher does clarify that this does not mean the game will not be accessible following the online closing. Those who purchased the offline mode can still enjoy the game alongside any purchased themes made since the game’s launch. Users are even able to reinstall downloads made which might be deleted.
What are your thoughts on Pac-Man 99 closing?
Pac-Man 99 is currently out for Nintendo Switch.
Source: Bandai Namco
