Iconic yellow chomper Pac-Man turns 45 with doughnuts, cookbook, more
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What is the oldest video game? It might not be what you expect.
Before Fortnite, Call of Duty and The Last of Us, other creative video games set the stage for the blockbusters we see today.
Pac-Man's iconic yellow pie-shaped chomper turns 45 today.
The game was officially released on May 22, 1980 in Japanese arcades before launching in the United States in October 1980, according to the Pac-Man website.
Transcending generations and new advancements in technology, Pac-Man is the best-selling arcade video game ever, according to the National Museum of Play.
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., the maker of the game, said in a press release that it is commemorating the 45th anniversary of the game "with an unprecedented year-long campaign."
For now, though, there are a slew of ways fans can celebrate the game's birthday, from getting a Krispy Kreme doughnut to ordering the official Pac-Man cookbook.
Here's a look at how the iconic game's anniversary is being celebrated.
Krispy Kreme offering Pac-Man doughnuts
On May 22, Pac-Man's anniversary, Krispy Kreme is offering customers a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for just 25 cents with the purchase of any dozen at regular price, the company said in a news release earlier this month.
The chain also announced a new doughnut collection in honor of Pac-Man.
The Krispy Kreme x Pac-Man Collection features three new doughnuts in a custom Pac-Man game dozen box. The collection has been available since May 12 for a limited time at participating Krispy Kreme shops.
Get the official Pac-Man cookbook
Pac-Man is known for eating, after all.
"PAC-MAN: The Official Cookbook" was released on May 13 and includes more than 60 recipes inspired by the game, according to its description.
"From energy-filled snacks to super-filling dinners, these colorful, creative recipes will have you raring to get to the legendary level 256!" the book's description says.
The cookbook is available for purchase on Amazon for $29.99.
Play Pac-Man with Google's 30th anniversary Doodle
Celebrating the game's anniversary wouldn't be complete without a round or two.
While the game first launched in in-person arcades, it's been adapted for players in the modern age.
For the game's 30th anniversary in 2010, Google released a special Doodle — an alteration of the Google logo on its homepages.
The 30th anniversary Doodle is still available to play online now.
Pre-order Pac-Man's new game Shadow Labyrinth
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is releasing a new game inspired by Pac-Man, and gamers can preorder it now.
The game, Shadow Labyrinth, is "a 2D action platformer and a genre-twisting alternate take on the iconic PAC-MAN," according to Bandai Namco.
It will be released on July 18, but can be preordered now on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo.
Contributing: Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
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