Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac Review (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch & PC)

Pac-Man’s 45th anniversary was never going to slip by quietly, and Bandai Namco has made sure of it. Following the success of the first Pac-Man World Re-Pac, fans were left asking the obvious question: if the first game got its revival, when would World 2 get the same treatment? Now, more than two decades after the PlayStation 2 and GameCube era, Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac is here.

Now, with the Re-Pac version, the game makes its return with visual upgrades and minor adjustments designed to make it more accessible for today’s players. From the moment the title screen loads, it’s clear that Bandai Namco leaned heavily into nostalgia while still trying to modernise the experience. The bright, colourful world pops with new textures, smoother models, and more dynamic lighting, giving Pac-Land a more playful, cartoon-like energy. Of course, it doesn’t reinvent the character or his world but instead refines what fans already loved. Here is the Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac review

A Simple Tale

The story is as straightforward as Pac-Man tales have always been, and that’s part of its charm. In the center of Pac-Village grows a legendary tree that bears five golden fruits. Now, these mystical treasures aren’t just for snacking; they act as magical seals that keep an ancient evil locked away. Of course, the mischievous ghost gang can’t help themselves. By stealing the fruit, they accidentally break the seal and awaken Spooky, a long-forgotten ghost knight with one goal: to destroy Pac-Man and bring chaos to Pac-Land.

While the setup isn’t complicated, it’s precisely the playful yet high-stakes premise you’d expect from the series. What makes it memorable this time around is Spooky himself. His armored design, booming presence, and constant taunting in cutscenes give him a weight that past Pac-Man villains rarely had. He feels like Pac-Man’s version of Bowser, threatening yet still fitting perfectly within the cartoonish, lighthearted world.

Classic Controls with Modern Tweaks

If you played the first Re-Pac, Pac-Man’s moves will feel instantly familiar. He can jump, butt-bounce to squash enemies, and now unleash a “super butt bounce” that stuns enemies and lets him reach higher platforms. There’s also a flutter kick reminiscent of Yoshi, though here it’s mostly for softening landings rather than crossing big gaps.

Other moves round out the toolkit. The flip kick, once exclusive to the air, can now be performed on the ground. Pac-Dots double as projectiles, though their range and lack of aiming make them less reliable than bouncing or kicking. Charge them up, and they become bombs at the cost of five dots. The Rev Roll also returns, acting as Pac-Man’s spin dash for climbing hills, crossing ramps, and powering mechanical platforms.

One brilliant addition is the landing reticle, showing exactly where Pac-Man will touch down. In the later, trickier stages, this small quality-of-life tweak becomes a lifesaver. The control refinements aren’t perfect, though. The butt bounce feels floatier than the original, trading the rubber-ball firmness of the PS2 version for something slower. On the other hand, Ice stages are more forgiving than before, making them easier but also stripping away some of the original’s teeth. Swimming controls have been improved slightly, but they are still awkward. It’s a mixed bag, more approachable for newcomers, but veterans may notice the difference.

Fruits, Mazes, and Missions

The heart of World 2 Re-Pac is still fruit collection and platforming. Every level is sprinkled with cherries, bananas, apples, and more, often locked in crates, dropped by enemies, or gated behind switches. Gathering full sets lets you open treasure chests that hold extra lives, figurines, or Galaxians. Collecting a Galaxian unlocks maze stages back at Pac-Village, a welcome update since you no longer need to play them immediately upon finding one.

Re-Pac adds new missions to each stage. One usually demands collecting every fruit, while others might require defeating all enemies, smashing every crate, or finishing without losing a life. A third often introduces time trials, which push your platforming skills to the limit. Now, instead of simply racing to the end, you pick up numbered timers that subtract seconds from your final score.

However, you won’t know the effect until you finish. It’s a clever system, though some challenges feel too punishing. Thankfully, bronze medals count as clears, so perfectionists aren’t the only ones rewarded. Additionally, finishing missions unlocks costumes for Pac-Man. These outfits, themed after the world you’re in, are a fun cosmetic reward and give players an extra reason to chase 100% completion.

Bigger Boss Battles

Boss fights were a highlight of the original, and Namco has given them extra attention here. In the PS2 version, many of the ghosts simply rode similar ghostly contraptions. In Re-Pac, each ghost arrives in a unique mechanical beast. Clyde takes on Pac-Man with a gigantic frog that even shifts into a gold phase mid-battle, while others appear in brand-new creations like an owl or polar bear mech.

These designs give every encounter a unique identity, and the expanded voice acting helps bring them to life. Pac-Man himself, voiced once again by Martin T. Sherman, returning from Pac-Man World 3, finally speaks during cutscenes. The result is a charming personality that makes the adventure feel more cinematic.

The only catch is difficulty. Some bosses lean into “cheap shot” territory, throwing projectiles from odd angles or filling the arena with hazards that don’t feel entirely fair. Instead of teaching players to read patterns, they sometimes rely on overwhelming chaos. Compared to the breezy boss battles in Mario or Kirby games, late-game fights here can feel more punishing.

Pure Nostalgia

Visually, World 2 Re-Pac opts for a brighter, more saturated style than the original. While Pac-Man’s world has always been colourful, this choice sometimes washes out the ambience of certain stages. Still, the environments are varied and lively, ranging from snowy mountains to haunted forests.

The game also proudly wears its inspirations. Pac-Man shrinks small like Tiny Kong, dons a metal form reminiscent of Metal Mario, and even runs toward the camera in chase sequences straight out of Crash Bandicoot. Far from feeling like copycat gimmicks, these moments add variety to the game. Notably, they show how World 2 once experimented with the broader platforming landscape of its era. What’s most impressive is how much of that DNA survives in this remake. Despite its smaller scope compared to modern giants like Mario Odyssey, it maintains a charm rooted in tight stage design and clever diversions.

Surprise!

Perhaps the most unexpected addition is the postgame. After finishing the story, a second campaign unlocks. Instead of being a simple “hard mode,” it remixes old levels with new layouts, hazards, and enemy placements. Surprisingly, some of Pac-Man’s less valuable moves in the main game suddenly become essential here, making the design feel sharper and more demanding.

This second campaign adds genuine longevity, though it also ramps up the difficulty. Boss fights in particular become even harsher, pushing players to master movement, positioning, and resource management. While some will relish the challenge, others may find it crosses the line into frustration.

Additionally, the Switch 2 version introduces a Mouse Mode for Player 2. It’s a lightweight co-op feature where a second player can vacuum up collectables or shoot projectiles. It feels borrowed from other platformers’ “helper modes” and doesn’t redefine this platformer game, but it’s a fun option for families. 

As a cherry on top, there’s even crossover content. A Green Hill Zone stage inspired by Sonic the Hedgehog brings Pac-Man into Sega’s backyard, complete with a Sonic-themed costume. It’s a delightful Easter egg that fans of both mascots won’t want to miss.

Verdict

Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac is both a faithful remake and a thoughtful expansion. Its new mechanics, costumes, missions, and full second campaign show genuine care from Bandai Namco, ensuring this isn’t just a simple re-release. That said, the remake isn’t without its rough edges. Floatier controls, uneven difficulty spikes, and some confusing mission parameters hold it back from greatness. Nevertheless, the charm of Pac-Man’s world, the creativity of its bosses, and the wealth of extras, from classic arcade games to modernized mazes, make this a worthy revival.

For veterans, it’s a nostalgic trip with plenty of new vibes. For newcomers, it’s a smaller-scale platformer that can be finished in a weekend but still leaves a smile. With Spooky cemented as one of Pac-Man’s coolest foes and the promise of crossover fun, this remake feels like more than just a history lesson. It’s proof that Pac-Man still has a place in 3D platforming.