Pac-Man is an arcade game developed by Namco, first released in Japan on May 22, 1980. Pac-Man is universally considered as one of the classics of the medium, virtually synonymous with video games, and an icon of 1980s popular culture.

Upon its release, Pac-Man became a social phenomenon that sold a bevy of merchandise and also inspired, among other things, an animated television series, and music.

When Pac-Man was released, most arcade video games were primarily shooting games like Space Invaders, Defender, or Asteroids. The most visible minority were sports games that were mostly derivative of Pong.

Pac-Man succeeded by creating a new genre and appealing to both males and females. Pac-Man is often credited with being a landmark in video game history, and is among the most famous arcade games of all time.