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Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac Is Official, and It’s a Retro Revival Done Right

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Mollie Dominy | Last updated Jul 31, 2025 1:24 PM ET

Look out, ghosts! The Pac is officially back. After haunting Bandai Namco surveys and buzzing fan forums for years, the cult classic Pac-Man World 2 has finally chomped its way into the spotlight again with the announcement of Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac. Yes, the yellow, pellet-munching icon is returning in a shiny new coat of paint, and the excitement is, well, palpable. If you’ve been dreaming of tearing through those iconic 3D platforming levels with updated visuals and smoother mechanics, then that dream is now a reality.

But seriously, could Bandai Namco have dragged this out any longer? Fans have been practically banging on the studio’s doors shouting, “Where’s our World 2 remake?” After the success of Pac-Man World Re-Pac, you could smell the inevitable sequel announcement from miles away. And yet, now that it’s finally confirmed, I can’t help but feel a genuine rush of excitement. Nostalgia, it seems, packs quite a punch. Insert Pac-Man “wakka wakka” sound effect here.

What’s New in Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac?

For anyone who hasn’t played this classic (first of all, shame on you), Pac-Man World 2 is a 3D platformer originally released on the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube back in 2002. You take control of Pac-Man as he navigates six themed worlds, taking down ghosts, recovering the stolen Golden Fruit, and dealing with challenges that range from adorable to infuriating. While the core of the game remains, the remake does throw in some upgrades.

Modern Visuals: Everything’s been re-worked for a crisp, visually pleasing aesthetic. Pac-Man hasn’t looked this sharp in years.
New Mechanics: Bandai Namco clearly listened on this one. This version introduces landing targets for jumps (because, seriously, hasn’t everyone missed a platform or twenty in older games?).
Co-op Gameplay: Because apparently, now you can bring a friend to eat dots and destroy ghosts together.
Unlockable Costumes: Nothing screams “customization” like dressing Pac-Man up as Toc-Man or some other wacky outfit. I’ll be waiting for the inevitable DLC costumes, Bandai Namco. Don’t disappoint.

And if you already bought Pac-Man World Re-Pac, there’s even some fan service here! Players who’ve completed the first remake can unlock extra goodies like the Toc-Man costume, which sounds… fair? I guess? But really, extra costumes just for being a loyal fan? Yes, please.

Nostalgia With a Side of Quality of Life

Video of Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac, Courtesy of Nintendo of America

Admit it, though. The one thing we all want are those “quality of life” updates to smooth out some of the… less elegant mechanics of the original. (Who remembers the cheap deaths and rage-inducing camera angles?) Thankfully, with Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac, the devs seem committed to keeping the frustration to a minimum. How? By improving controls, modernizing level designs, and adding those landing targets I mentioned earlier.

But y’know what’s really exciting? The confirmed voice acting. Fans of Pac-Man World 3, your prayers have been answered! Martin T. Sherman, who voiced Pac-Man in World 3, appears to return for this sequel remake. No more mumbles and weird gibberish like the first Re-Pac! Real voices are back, and I for one am ready to hear Pac-Man trash-talk ghosts in glorious surround sound.

Pre-Orders, DLC, and Oh-So-Tempting Traps

True to 2020s gaming habits, the game comes loaded with pre-order bonuses and DLC. You can snag Team Ghost costumes and even some statues. Meanwhile, digital players will get a very satisfying Game-Key Card for the Switch 2, which… wait. Don’t even get me started on the topic of digital-only editions for Switch 2. That’s a rant for another day.

But back to the juicy details. Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac is priced at $29.99 (£34.99, for those across the pond). And I know, I know, some folks are already complaining online that the original GameCube version can be found for “peanuts” at second-hand stores. But come on, nothing beats polished visuals and the return of Pac-Man at his buttery smooth finest, right? And for those die-hard fans, it’s worth it just for the nostalgia hit.

Is It Worth the Hype?

Look, I won’t sit here and say this is the second coming of platforming games. It’s not Super Mario Odyssey. But it doesn’t have to be. Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac is one of those rare remakes that’s purely for the fans. It’s packed with all the charm of the original while being accessible to a brand-new audience. Plus, if you grew up munching dots and dreaming of saving Pac-Land (Pac-Man 2 was the jam), then this remake is practically a love letter to your childhood.

And with the release of Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac on September 26th, 2025, the countdown has officially begun. Whether you’re a Pac-Man veteran or a curious newbie, this is one game you won’t want to miss.

Final Thoughts

Here’s the thing. Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac doesn’t need to do much to win over hearts. A fresh coat of paint, some fan-focused quality-of-life updates, and (hopefully) a bug-free experience are all that’s required to set this sequel remake on the right path. If Bandai Namco played their cards right, then come September, the gaming community will have one more reason to celebrate the Pac-Man legacy.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to prepare for this trip down memory lane. Until then, Re-Pac your bags, friends. We’ve got ghosts to chomp.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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