Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs Returns from Stadia’s Grave
Get ready to chomp your way through interconnected mazes as Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs makes its grand debut on May 9 for PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Originally released as a Google Stadia exclusive in 2020, the online-only multiplayer game was lost when Stadia met its untimely end in 2023. Thankfully, Bandai Namco has answered the prayers of Pac-Man enthusiasts by resurrecting this chaotic battle royale.
Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs pits 64 players against each other in a battle for survival. Players navigate through mazes, consuming dots and power pellets while avoiding ghosts and attacking rival Pac-Mans. Unlike its Nintendo Switch counterpart, Pac-Man 99, Chomp Champs offers more opportunities for player interaction. Paths frequently open up, allowing players to venture into their opponents’ mazes and disrupt their progress by stealing fruits or gobbling up power pellets.
The gameplay is as tight as ever, with the difficulty ramping up as players clear boards and the ghost AI becomes more intelligent. Power-ups and a unique mission system add extra layers of complexity, making each match a tense and challenging experience.
While Chomp Champs doesn’t bring many new ideas to the table, it remains a solid multiplayer package with crossplay support. The $20 price tag may seem a bit steep for some, but it’s a fair ask for the amount of entertainment on offer.
The resurrection of Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs is a testament to the power of perseverance. Stadia’s sudden shutdown created a preservation crisis for exclusive games, but developers like Bandai Namco are stepping up to ensure that these titles don’t fade into obscurity. Here’s hoping that other Stadia exclusives, like Pac-Man 99, will also find new life in the future.
