Iconic yellow chomper Pac-Man turns 45 with doughnuts, cookbook, more

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Pac-Man’s iconic yellow pie-shaped chomper turns 45 today.

The game was officially released on May 22, 1980 in Japanese arcades before launching in the United States in October 1980, according to the Pac-Man website.

Transcending generations and new advancements in technology, Pac-Man is the best-selling arcade video game ever, according to the National Museum of Play.

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., the maker of the game, said in a press release that it is commemorating the 45th anniversary of the game “with an unprecedented year-long campaign.”

For now, though, there are a slew of ways fans can celebrate the game’s birthday, from getting a Krispy Kreme doughnut to ordering the official Pac-Man cookbook.

Here’s a look at how the iconic game’s anniversary is being celebrated.

Krispy Kreme offering Pac-Man doughnuts

On May 22, Pac-Man’s anniversary, Krispy Kreme is offering customers a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for just 25 cents with the purchase of any dozen at regular price, the company said in a news release earlier this month.

The chain also announced a new doughnut collection in honor of Pac-Man.

The Krispy Kreme x Pac-Man Collection features three new doughnuts in a custom Pac-Man game dozen box. The collection has been available since May 12 for a limited time at participating Krispy Kreme shops.

Get the official Pac-Man cookbook

Pac-Man is known for eating, after all.

“PAC-MAN: The Official Cookbook” was released on May 13 and includes more than 60 recipes inspired by the game, according to its description.

“From energy-filled snacks to super-filling dinners, these colorful, creative recipes will have you raring to get to the legendary level 256!” the book’s description says.

The cookbook is available for purchase on Amazon for $29.99.

Play Pac-Man with Google’s 30th anniversary Doodle

Celebrating the game’s anniversary wouldn’t be complete without a round or two.

While the game first launched in in-person arcades, it’s been adapted for players in the modern age.

For the game’s 30th anniversary in 2010, Google released a special Doodle — an alteration of the Google logo on its homepages.

The 30th anniversary Doodle is still available to play online now.

A boy plays the
A boy plays the “Pacman” retro game at the Video games trade fair Gamescom in Cologne, western Germany, on August 21, 2019.

Pre-order Pac-Man’s new game Shadow Labyrinth

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is releasing a new game inspired by Pac-Man, and gamers can preorder it now.

The game, Shadow Labyrinth, is “a 2D action platformer and a genre-twisting alternate take on the iconic PAC-MAN,” according to Bandai Namco.

It will be released on July 18, but can be preordered now on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo.

Contributing: Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com. 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pac-Man 45th anniversary celebrated with Krispy Kreme, cookbook, more

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