PAC-MAN takes over the Google homepage: how to play the Halloween Doodle, what’s new, and why “pac man google” is trending

PAC-MAN is chomping across the Google homepage in a special Halloween Doodle that doubles as a playable mini-game and a nod to the character’s 45th anniversary. The interactive tribute is live today and Halloween and has already sent searches for “pac man google” surging as people race to find the maze, beat the ghosts, and share scores.

How to play the PAC-MAN Google Doodle

• Desktop: Open Google, click the Doodle, then press Play. Control PAC-MAN with arrow keys (or WASD).

• Mobile: Tap the Doodle on the homepage, hit Play, and use swipe controls or on-screen arrows to navigate.

• Goal: Clear each maze by eating all pellets, snag power pellets to flip the chase, and rack up combo points by gobbling ghosts before the timer wears off.

The Halloween edition features eight total stages, including four new haunted-house mazes with visual cues tied to the personalities of Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde. Expect tighter corridors, trick-door loops, and a few surprise paths that reward careful route planning rather than pure speed.

What’s new in this year’s Doodle

• Spooky art pass: Moody lighting, autumn palettes, and Halloween props give each maze a seasonal bite without sacrificing readability.

• Ghost-themed labyrinths: Each haunted house subtly mirrors its resident ghost—aggressive angles for Blinky, misleading branches for Pinky, unpredictable forks for Inky, and steady traps for Clyde.

• Shareable runs: When you finish, you can post your score or challenge friends to beat your route.

Availability is time-limited around Halloween; if you don’t see it at first, try a hard refresh or check back later in the day as regional rollouts complete.

Quick tips to top the “pac man google” scoreboard

1. Cornering matters: Start turns a fraction early so PAC-MAN “clips” corners and keeps momentum.

2. Route the power pellets: Don’t eat them on sight. Clear nearby dots first, then pop a power pellet when two or more ghosts are converging.

3. Read each ghost:

   • Blinky (red): Hunts the lead; expect direct pursuit.

   • Pinky (pink): Aims for ambush spots ahead of you.

   • Inky (cyan): Unpredictable—assume chaos near intersections.

   • Clyde (orange): Wanders; treat him like moving pressure rather than a hard chase.

4. Milk the frightened timer: Chain ghost chomps by prioritizing the nearest ghost first, then cut diagonals to the others before the blue timer ends.

5. Leave an escape lane: Never finish a corridor without a plan for the next turn; haunted-house maps punish dead ends.

Why this PAC-MAN x Google moment hits different

Google’s playable homages have become pop-culture events—remember the classic anniversary maze years ago, or the April Fools’ map crossovers? This year’s Doodle lands at the intersection of nostalgia and seasonal gaming, inviting a two-minute coffee-break run that’s easy to start and hard to quit. It’s also a reminder of PAC-MAN’s enduring design: minimal rules, deep mastery, and characterful enemies that feel modern 45 years on.

PAC-MAN at 45: a fast timeline

• Arcade origins: Launched in 1980, PAC-MAN quickly became a global icon, redefining what a mass-market video game could be.

• Home and handheld boom: Ports spread the maze-chase formula to living rooms, classrooms, and pocket devices.

• Modern twists: Endless runners, co-op spins, and speed variants keep the pellet-chomper relevant across platforms.

• Doodle legacy: Playable browser tributes periodically reintroduce PAC-MAN to new audiences—no console, controller, or install required.

Troubleshooting and accessibility

• The Doodle isn’t loading: Clear cache or open an incognito/private window; ad or script blockers can interfere.

• Lag on older devices: Lower background tabs, use a wired keyboard (desktop), and avoid heavy streaming while you play.

• Color-contrast needs: The Halloween palette is darker; raise screen brightness or switch to a device with higher contrast.

Fun extras for PAC-fans

• Two-player mode (desktop): If present in your region, Player 2 uses IJKL to control Ms. PAC-MAN; it’s chaotic but great for quick challenges.

• Score goals: A clean first loop with two four-ghost chains will usually put you ahead of casual players.

• Speed-run idea: Set a timer for five minutes and see how many stages you can perfect—no deaths, all fruit.

The PAC-MAN Google Halloween Doodle is a bite-size celebration that feels tailor-made for the season: quick to learn, satisfying to master, and drenched in spooky charm. Whether you’re revisiting a childhood classic or showing a friend why this yellow circle still rules, you’ve got two days to chase pellets, outsmart ghosts, and post a brag-worthy score. Ready, citizens? Waka-waka.