The gameplay of Ms. Pac-Man, released in January 1982 by Midway, is largely identical to that of the original Pac-Man.
The player earns points by eating pellets and avoiding ghosts (contact with one causes Ms. Pac-Man to lose a life). Eating an energizer (or “power pellet”) causes the ghosts to turn blue, allowing them to be eaten for extra points. Bonus fruits can be eaten for increasing point values, twice per round.
As the rounds increase, the speed increases, and energizers generally lessen the extent of the ghosts’ vulnerability, eventually stopping altogether.
In 2001, Namco released an arcade board featuring both Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga in honor of the 20th anniversary of both games with the subtitle “20 Year Reunion / Class of 1981”. It also features Pac-Man as a hidden bonus game. The later 25th Anniversary Edition allows all three games to be selected at the main menu.
