Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs Review

Already fun and addicting, Pac-Man offers the thrill of chasing high scores, making split-second decisions about going after that lone Power Pellet left in the corner and navigating increasingly fast-paced mazes. But what if you could do all that in a massive battle royale against other Pac-Man (Pac-Men?), vying to be the last one standing? That’s precisely what Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs delivers.

If you’re a seasoned Pac-Man enthusiast eager to test your skills against others, Chomp Champs promises an exciting twist. However, keep in mind that this unique take on the classic may not appeal to everyone.

Let’s delve into the details and find out if this game is the one you’re looking for.

Easy to Play, Hard to Master

Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs retains the classic Pac-Man gameplay that has captivated players since its 1980 debut. The premise remains simple yet addictive: chomp dots in a maze while evading ghosts. However, Chomp Champs brings the gameplay experience to a bigger arena, pitting players against each other instead of teaming up to take the fight to the ghosts.

In this multiplayer battle royale, each player starts in their own maze, playing as usual. The game spices things up by periodically presenting random “missions” to players. These objectives might involve chomping a specific number of ghosts in an opponent’s maze or invading other mazes—yes, you heard that right.

Occasional gates open in your maze, allowing you to enter other players’ mazes and vice versa. Now, not only do you contend with colorful ghosts, but fellow Pac Men become potential threats. Eating a Power Pellet makes other Pac-Men vulnerable to your chomping.

But beware—the tables can turn. If an enemy Pac-Man consumes a Power Pellet in your maze, you become the target. And keep an eye out for power-up items that occasionally appear. These items have diverse effects, from ghost repulsion to temporary maze-wide stun effects, adding an extra layer of strategy to the chomping chaos.

Dressed for dinner

Beyond battles, players can style their round yellow chomping machines with an array of accessories. From animal skins to eyewear and headwear, each Pac-Man becomes a unique character. You can even assign different reactions to your Pac-Man—whether they’re chomping ghosts, invading mazes, or taking on other players.

Customization adds an unexpected layer of fun to this seemingly simple game. However, Chomp Champs isn’t without its flaws. While it offers enjoyable gameplay, some issues may not resonate with everyone.

It’s fun, but…

The game’s modes—Elimination, Ranked, and Training—form the core package, making it seem like a very bare-bones outing. Elimination follows the classic battle royale format, where the last Pac-Man standing emerges victorious. Ranked matches assess player performance, determining rankings. Winning earns you currency to purchase new accessories and maze themes.

However, unlocking Ranked Mode requires reaching Level 10, which can be time-consuming. Additionally, despite Pac-Man’s straightforward premise, the game remains highly competitive and surprisingly fun, but therein lies ones of its biggest gripes.

Lag-Man

Chomp Champs, being an online-only battle royale, demands a reliable internet connection. Unfortunately, despite playing at various times of the day and having a fairly fast connection, I encountered noticeable lag during my game sessions. Input delays affected my Pac-Man’s execution, leading to frustrating moments—especially when last-minute directional changes were necessary to avoid ghosts.

While I adapted by planning my movements in advance, lag occasionally caught me off guard. In a game where precision matters, this lack of control can be a deal breaker. Even achieving first place in some matches couldn’t fully compensate for the frustration caused by the lag. Notably, during the required training minigame, I didn’t experience any input delays, emphasizing that the issue lies within the battle royale matches themselves.

Verdict: Wait for it…

Make no mistake that Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs is a solid fun time if ghost-chomping and racking up the highest score against other Pac-Man is your thing. Its premise is simple enough that anyone can pick up and play it, but a couple of things apart from a bare-bones package and repetitive gameplay hold it back.

What hurt this game more is the fact that if you don’t have a decent connection then get ready to face multiple frustrations of possibly getting caught by ghosts or other Pac-Men because the response was delayed due to lag. Chomp Champs is by no means a terrible game. Pac-Man is an iconic video game character after all. It may not just be everyone’s cup of tea except for the most dedicated fan of Pac-Mania.

*Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs was reviewed on a PS4/PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.