The Pac-Man battle royale game is shutting down

The Pac-Man battle royale game is shutting down

Time Stamp: May 17, 2023 9:43 AM

Pac-Man 99, the battle royale spin on classic Pac-Man gameplay that’s available through Nintendo Switch Online, will shut down this October, publisher Bandai Namco announced Tuesday. That’s when online services for the 99-player game will go offline, but Switch owners who paid for the game’s DLC (Pac-Man 99 Deluxe Pack or Pac-Man 99 Mode Unlock) will still be able to play it offline against the CPU and in other modes.

News of Pac-Man 99’s closure comes two years after the battle royale game was released on Switch as an incentive to subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online. Pac-Man 99 was developed by Arika, the same studio behind another battle royale spin on a classic game, Tetris 99. Publisher Bandai Namco did not provide a reason for the game’s closure.

Here’s how the closure of Pac-Man 99 will roll out:

  • Aug. 8 — Paid custom theme sales will be discontinued
  • Sept. 8 — Sales of Pac-Man 99 Deluxe Pack and Pac-Man 99 Mode Unlock will be discontinued
  • Oct. 8 — Discontinuation of online services for the main game, and distribution of the main game and free custom themes

After Oct. 8 Pac-Man 99 players who purchased the Deluxe Pack or Mode Unlock will be able to play CPU Battle mode, Blind Time Attack, and Score Attack in offline mode only.

Time Stamp:

More from Polygon