PAC-MAN Halloween 2025 Edition is a spooky twist on the arcade classic, released as a Google Doodle on October 30, 2025. It celebrates both Halloween and the 45th anniversary of PAC-MAN — and yes, our favourite yellow chomper is dressed for the occasion in an adorable pixelated purple witch hat. Developed in partnership with Bandai Namco Entertainment, this special edition takes the timeless dot-munching formula and wraps it in cobwebs, jack-o’-lanterns, and haunted house vibes.
When PAC-MAN first hit Japanese arcades back in 1980, it was unlike anything else. Designed by Toru Iwatani and famously inspired by a pizza with a slice missing, the game stood out in an era dominated by space shooters. Its simple concept — gobble dots, dodge ghosts, clear mazes — became instantly addictive and crossed borders and generations. The four ghosts even had their own personalities: Blinky (red) aggressively chases you, while Pinky, Inky, and Clyde use different tactics to corner you. That character design was revolutionary for its time.
This Halloween edition features eight levels, with four of them being unique haunted house mazes. Each haunted house is designed to reflect the personality of the ghost haunting it, so pay attention to how the maze is laid out — it might give you clues about how that ghost will try to trap you. The regular dots are still there, but the Power Pellets have been swapped out for bloodshot eyeballs (nice touch), and the bonus fruits are now Halloween treats like caramel-covered apples. When you grab an eyeball power-up, the screen shifts to a purple and black colour scheme signalling it’s hunting time — now you can chase down the ghosts instead of running from them.
The classic sound effects are all intact too. You’ll hear the signature wakka-wakka chomping, the tense siren when ghosts get close, and those satisfying level completion jingles. Cutscenes play throughout showing PAC-MAN being chased into different haunted houses by the Ghost Gang.
How To Play PAC-MAN Halloween 2025 Edition
Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move PAC-MAN through the maze. On mobile, swipe in the direction you want to go, or use your mouse/trackpad on desktop.
Your goal is to eat all the dots in each maze while avoiding Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde. Clear a level and you’ll advance to the next one.
Grab the eyeball Power Pellets to temporarily turn the ghosts blue — now you can eat them for bonus points. The effect doesn’t last long though, so act fast.
Watch the maze design in each haunted house. It reflects which ghost is hunting you, which can help you predict their movements and plan your escape routes.