Pac-Man was first released in Japan in 1980 as Puck-Man, with a full nationwide release in Japan in May–June 1980, and the North American release by Midway following later that year. The title was changed from Puck-Man to Pac-Man after concerns about vandalism, and the game subsequently became a worldwide arcade phenomenon. Key milestones
- Japan: Location testing began May 22, 1980, with a public release in 1980 after adjustments to the name and branding. The original Japanese release is commonly cited as Puck-Man, later renamed Pac-Man for global markets. [Pac-Man history sources cite May 22, 1980 as a testing/release milestone in Japan; the name change to Pac-Man occurred before international distribution.]
- United States: Midway acquired distribution rights and released Pac-Man in North America later in 1980, following the Japanese launch. This helped spur its rapid popularity and a broader merchandising boom. [Midway’s North American release followed the Japanese success in 1980.]
- Worldwide branding: The game’s nonviolent maze-chase design and the character’s personality contributed to its enduring legacy and numerous spin-offs and adaptations in the following years. [Overview of Pac-Man’s impact and licensing history.]
If you’d like, I can pull up precise dates for the various regional releases and notable milestones (e.g., the exact U.S. release date, the initial arcade cabinet rollout, and key marketing events).
