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The Paley Museum Announces Its 45 Years of PAC-MAN Exhibit

PAC-MAN turns 45 this year, and has left an incredible history since then! Paley Museum announces an exhibit about PAC-MAN‘s history to open on January 16!

PAC-MAN needs little introduction, being one of the most recognizable faces in gaming. Created by Toru Iwatani, this humble little game of running through a maze left a mark on history. Everyone knows of the little yellow ghost hunter, who blitzed onto the scene in arcades and changed the world.

With 2026 marking the 45th anniversary of the yellow circle, the time for celebrating and chronicling his history was nigh. Right within New York City, The Paley Museum has undertaken the opportunity by opening an exhibit all about the series. If it is about PAC-MAN, then this exhibit is sure to have it!

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS PAC-MAN MUSEUM EXHIBIT

The exhibit holds quite a few artifacts and pieces of history from the arcade icon. You will get the chance to see pieces of artwork used during the game’s development, as well as rare pieces of merchandise. However, some of the more standout pieces in the exhibit are the many games in the series.

This includes the original game and its many ports to different systems, even including the Atari 2600 version of the arcade classic. There are also the updated versions of the original, like the Battle Royale Chompianship, which visitors can play. There are even chances to play spin offs like PAC-MAN World, including the recent remake to both in the form of the Re-Pac games.

As you explore the museum, you will also experience the thought process behind each decision in PAC-MAN‘s development. From the power ups, the art style, and how each ghost acts, you will get the chance to learn how these all made the original the classic it is seen as today. All of this packed within the halls of The Paley Museum, which Paley Members are free to experience.

A SPECIAL DAY OF CELEBRATION FOR THE YELLOW GHOST HUNTER

Paley Museum is not just opening an exhibit to PAC-MAN, as they will also run a special day all about him. On January 31, the Paley Museum will host PAC-MAN Family Day. This day will be filled with all sorts of activities and celebrations for all ages.

An arcade themed all around the series will be open for anyone to enjoy, along with arts and crafts for younger visitors. A set of raffles and giveaways will run on throughout the day, for the chance to win prizes. PAC-MAN himself will also show up for a meet and greet, making the Family Day a prime opportunity for fun!

screenshot 2026 01 15 at 8 17 40 pm

The exhibit will be open from January 16 to May 31, while the Family Day will only be on January 31. You can purchase tickets at The Paley Museum Website. You can also discuss the PAC-MAN Museum Exhibit on the PopGeeks Video Game Forum!

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Avatar of Kurapikachu
Kurapikachu

Member

426 messages 5 likes

I’ve been a PAC-MAN fan since I was a kid, so reading about this exhibit makes me really excited. Seeing the original game alongside all the ports like Atari 2600 sounds amazing. I love learning about the design decisions too, like why the ghosts behave the way they do. It’s crazy how a simple maze game could teach so much about game mechanics and creativity. I also like that there’s a Family Day with activities for kids because it feels like PAC-MAN is staying relevant for new generations. I wish I could fly to New York just to experience it firsthand, but even just knowing this exists makes me happy as a longtime fan.

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Avatar of Teenage Mutant Ninja Frog
Teenage Mutant Ninja Frog

New Member

51 messages 0 likes

PAC-MAN growing into a museum piece is kind of surreal. I remember playing the original on a friend’s console and spending hours trying to beat my high score. Knowing that now you can see development sketches and even rare merchandise is exciting. I also like that the Family Day isn’t just for kids—anyone who grew up with PAC-MAN can enjoy it. The raffle and meet-and-greet with PAC-MAN himself feels like a fun way to celebrate, even for adults who still remember those arcade days. It’s nice to see gaming history being treated with respect.

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Avatar of Ketchup
Ketchup

Member

758 messages 24 likes

I’m the kind of person who likes to study game design, so the part about the exhibit explaining why each ghost behaves the way it does is really appealing. It’s rare to get this kind of insight from a classic arcade game. The idea of playing different versions, from Atari to Re-Pac, is also cool because it lets you experience how the game evolved over decades. I like that the museum is making it interactive instead of just showing static items. I would love to spend a whole day going through everything and trying to notice small details in each version.

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Avatar of ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔ
ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔ

Active Member

755 messages 20 likes

I’m not really a museum person, but the PAC-MAN exhibit seems like something I could enjoy. Playing the different versions and seeing the development sketches would be interesting, and it’s not just about looking at old stuff. I like that there’s a Family Day too because it feels inclusive and gives younger kids a chance to know a piece of video game history. It also sounds like a good way to meet other fans. I hope they have pictures of all the merchandise—they probably have things collectors would love.

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Avatar of Barukyu
Barukyu

It's Molin time!

372 messages 7 likes

I never thought I’d see PAC-MAN celebrated like this. The Family Day sounds like fun, especially the arcade setups and the meet-and-greet. It’s nice that they include activities for kids too. I might plan a visit just for that day.

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Avatar of ScotL544851
ScotL544851

Magaman

52 messages 1 like

PAC-MAN turning 45 is crazy. I love that the Paley Museum has made a full exhibit. Playing the different versions sounds fun, and seeing the development process behind it is a bonus. It makes me appreciate the game even more.

I’m mostly interested in the rare merchandise and old arcade versions. That Atari 2600 port is something I would love to see in person. The history behind PAC-MAN is so rich, and this exhibit seems to cover it all.

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Avatar of Kai
Kai

Member

63 messages 7 likes

This is exactly the kind of retro gaming celebration I would go to. Playing the original game alongside new remakes is a fun idea. I like that it mixes nostalgia with interactive experiences.

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