Munchman (tabletop electronic game): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox VG |
{{Infobox VG |
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| title = Munchman |
| title = Munchman |
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| image = [[ |
| image = [[File:Grandstand-Munchman.jpg|Grandstand-Munchman.jpg]] |
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| released = {{vgrelease|EU |
| released = {{vgrelease|EU|1981}} |
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| publisher = [[Grandstand (game manufacturer)|Grandstand]] |
| publisher = [[Grandstand (game manufacturer)|Grandstand]] |
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| genre = [[ |
| genre = [[List of maze video games|Maze]] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Munchman''' is a tabletop [[electronic game]] that was released under |
'''''Munchman''''' is a tabletop [[electronic game]] that was released under licence in 1981<ref name="munchman">{{cite web|url=http://www.imarshall.karoo.net/munchman.htm|quote=Grandstand Munchman Handheld Pacman game. Year 1981|title=Grandstand Munchman|first=Ian|last=Marshall|publisher=Retro Computer Gallery|date=2002-09-08|accessdate=2011-09-28}}</ref> in the [[UK]] by [[Grandstand (game manufacturer)|Grandstand]].<ref name="childofthe1980s">{{cite web|url=http://www.childofthe1980s.com/2007/11/09/grandstand-munchman/|title=Grandstand Munchman|publisher=Boosville Productions|year=2007|accessdate=2011-09-28|quote=It was circular with a bulge at the back for the display and was made from bright yellow plastic, with a transparent black plastic cover over the display.}}</ref> It is a rebadged version of the [[Tomy]] game known as ''Pac Man'' in the United States and ''Puck Man'' in Japan.<ref name="PacMan">{{cite web|url=http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Tomy/PacMan.htm|title=Tomy Pac Man (A.k.a. Puck Man, Munch Man)|quote=a weak version of Bally/Midway's Pac Man arcade game where you can only eat the dots when moving from right to left...|publisher=Handheld Games Museum|accessdate=2011-09-28}}</ref> The games are all based on [[Namco]]'s ''[[Pac-Man]]'' arcade game and use a [[Vacuum fluorescent display|VFD]] screen. |
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==Overview== |
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The game is based on [[Namco]]'s [[Pac-Man]] arcade game with obvious limitations due to the simplicity of electronic game technology of the time and the dependency on a [[Vacuum fluorescent display|VFD]] screen. The game has a distinctive visual style due to its unique circular shiny yellow casing.[http://www.flickr.com/photos/unloveable/2400905250/] The game should not be confused with a much smaller Grandstand handheld game of the same year called ''[[Mini-Munchman]]''. |
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==Hardware== |
==Hardware== |
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The ''Munchman'' game runs on six volts DC and can be powered by four 'C' type batteries or alternatively via a low voltage mains adaptor.<ref name="TV Cream Toys 1">{{cite book |title=TV Cream Toys|last=Berry |first=Steve|year=2009|publisher=HarperCollins UK|location=UK|isbn= |
The ''Munchman'' game runs on six volts DC and can be powered by four 'C' type batteries or alternatively via a low voltage mains adaptor.<ref name="TV Cream Toys 1">{{cite book |title=TV Cream Toys|last=Berry |first=Steve|year=2009|publisher=HarperCollins UK|location=UK|isbn=978-0-00-732851-2|quote=It wasn't long before an investment was made in an AC/DC adapter|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IIroTCM02Y0C&q=grandstand+munchman&pg=PT161|accessdate=2011-09-28}}</ref> As the display is based on [[Vacuum fluorescent display|VFD]] technology, it allows bright, multicoloured in-game elements to be rendered but at the cost of a relatively small screen size. The VFD display is manufactured with the pre-formed, immutable in-game objects effectively fixed in place onto a dark background. Each element can be individually lit or unlit during play, giving the illusion of animation and movement. In-game objects cannot touch or superimpose one another, which is not ideal for a Pac-Man clone, as in the arcade version, the Pac-Man and ghosts do collide. |
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==Gameplay== |
==Gameplay== |
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[[File:GrandstandMunchmanDisplay.jpg|thumb|right|The play area]] |
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As with most |
As with most ''Pac-Man'' derived games, the player must guide the ''Pac-Man'' character around a maze, eating all of the dots whilst avoiding the ghosts. Notable features of this version are that the maze is small, containing only eighteen dots plus two power pills.<ref name="PacMan" /> Also, dots are only eaten if the player happens to move over them from right to left. There is a bonus cherry item sometimes available near the centre of the maze and horizontal warp tunnels can also be used by the player. The score is kept at the top of the display area, above the maze. There are two difficulty levels,<ref name="retrovideogamer">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrovideogamer.co.uk/index.php?page=tabletops|title=Retro Video Gamer - Tabletops|quote=Two skill levels and unlimited scoring. Made in Japan|publisher=Chloe Developments|year=2001|accessdate=2009-09-29}}</ref> "ama" and "pro", physically selectable by a switch. |
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==Critical reception== |
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| ⚫ | In the 21st century, the game has been described as "a weak version" of the |
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==Reception== |
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| ⚫ | In the 21st century, the game has been described as "a weak version" of the ''Pac-Man'' arcade game.<ref name="PacMan"/> The elementary sound has been described as "shrill" and "beepy"<ref name="childofthe1980s"/> and the sound during an active powerpill as "an irritating clicking noise".<ref name="galaxyarcade">{{Cite web|title=Retro-gaming nostalgia: Grandstand Munchman|url=http://www.galaxyarcade.co.uk/retro/grandstand-munchman.php|publisher=Galaxy Graphics|accessdate=2011-09-26|quote=Of all the electronic hand-helds to have at school in the early 1980s, the Grandstand Munchman was the king at my school}}</ref> The graphics have also been criticised as the collisions are unrealistic because the ghosts and munchman can never occupy the same space.<ref name="galaxyarcade"/> However, the product design has also been described as "gorgeous"<ref name="galaxyarcade"/> and has been generally praised.<ref name="childofthe1980s"/><ref name="pocketgamer">{{cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Multiformat/Handheld+Classics/feature.asp?c=12051|quote=the experience is surprisingly robust, despite the ravages of time.|first=Damien|last=McFerran|title=Handheld Classics: Retro Roundup|publisher=Steel Media Ltd|date=2009-03-12|accessdate=2011-09-29}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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*''[[Mini-Munchman]]'' |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:1981 video games]] |
[[Category:1981 video games]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1980s toys]] |
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[[Category:Pac-Man clones]] |
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[[Category:Handheld electronic games]] |
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[[Category:Video games about food and drink]] |
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[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]] |
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Latest revision as of 13:46, 20 November 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2011) |
| Munchman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publisher(s) | Grandstand |
| Release |
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| Genre(s) | Maze |
Munchman is a tabletop electronic game that was released under licence in 1981[1] in the UK by Grandstand.[2] It is a rebadged version of the Tomy game known as Pac Man in the United States and Puck Man in Japan.[3] The games are all based on Namco's Pac-Man arcade game and use a VFD screen.
Hardware
[edit]The Munchman game runs on six volts DC and can be powered by four 'C' type batteries or alternatively via a low voltage mains adaptor.[4] As the display is based on VFD technology, it allows bright, multicoloured in-game elements to be rendered but at the cost of a relatively small screen size. The VFD display is manufactured with the pre-formed, immutable in-game objects effectively fixed in place onto a dark background. Each element can be individually lit or unlit during play, giving the illusion of animation and movement. In-game objects cannot touch or superimpose one another, which is not ideal for a Pac-Man clone, as in the arcade version, the Pac-Man and ghosts do collide.
Gameplay
[edit]
As with most Pac-Man derived games, the player must guide the Pac-Man character around a maze, eating all of the dots whilst avoiding the ghosts. Notable features of this version are that the maze is small, containing only eighteen dots plus two power pills.[3] Also, dots are only eaten if the player happens to move over them from right to left. There is a bonus cherry item sometimes available near the centre of the maze and horizontal warp tunnels can also be used by the player. The score is kept at the top of the display area, above the maze. There are two difficulty levels,[5] "ama" and "pro", physically selectable by a switch.
Reception
[edit]In the 21st century, the game has been described as "a weak version" of the Pac-Man arcade game.[3] The elementary sound has been described as "shrill" and "beepy"[2] and the sound during an active powerpill as "an irritating clicking noise".[6] The graphics have also been criticised as the collisions are unrealistic because the ghosts and munchman can never occupy the same space.[6] However, the product design has also been described as "gorgeous"[6] and has been generally praised.[2][7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Marshall, Ian (2002-09-08). "Grandstand Munchman". Retro Computer Gallery. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
Grandstand Munchman Handheld Pacman game. Year 1981
- ^ a b c "Grandstand Munchman". Boosville Productions. 2007. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
It was circular with a bulge at the back for the display and was made from bright yellow plastic, with a transparent black plastic cover over the display.
- ^ a b c "Tomy Pac Man (A.k.a. Puck Man, Munch Man)". Handheld Games Museum. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
a weak version of Bally/Midway's Pac Man arcade game where you can only eat the dots when moving from right to left...
- ^ Berry, Steve (2009). TV Cream Toys. UK: HarperCollins UK. ISBN 978-0-00-732851-2. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
It wasn't long before an investment was made in an AC/DC adapter
- ^ "Retro Video Gamer - Tabletops". Chloe Developments. 2001. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
Two skill levels and unlimited scoring. Made in Japan
- ^ a b c "Retro-gaming nostalgia: Grandstand Munchman". Galaxy Graphics. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
Of all the electronic hand-helds to have at school in the early 1980s, the Grandstand Munchman was the king at my school
- ^ McFerran, Damien (2009-03-12). "Handheld Classics: Retro Roundup". Steel Media Ltd. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
the experience is surprisingly robust, despite the ravages of time.