Q 01/05

In which year was Pac-Man first released in Japan?

A) 1984

B) 1982

C) 1978

D) 1980

Answer · why

D) 1980

Location testing began in Shibuya on May 22, 1980, and the game reached North America that August.

Q 02/05

Under what title was Pac-Man originally released in Japan?

A) Kuchi Man

B) Puck Man

C) Muncher

D) Paku Paku

Answer · why

B) Puck Man

The name comes from paku paku taberu, a Japanese phrase for gobbling something up.

Q 03/05

Why was the game's title changed for its North American release?

A) Puck was already trademarked by a hockey brand

B) Americans could not pronounce it

C) Vandals could turn the P on the cabinet into an F

D) Midway wanted a shorter name for marquees

Answer · why

C) Vandals could turn the P on the cabinet into an F

Midway also had the cabinet art redrawn before showing the game to US distributors.

Q 04/05

Who designed Pac-Man, leading a nine-man team at Namco?

A) Toru Iwatani

B) Tomohiro Nishikado

C) Masaya Nakamura

D) Shigeru Miyamoto

Answer · why

A) Toru Iwatani

He originally wanted to make pinball machines but was steered into video games, creating Namco's first, Gee Bee, in 1978.

Q 05/05

Which audience did the designer specifically set out to attract with a cute, non-violent game?

A) Pinball players

B) Children under ten

C) Business travellers

D) Women

Answer · why

D) Women

He felt arcades were seedy places full of war and sports games, and hoped couples would make them more welcoming.