How to Win at Pacman - Proper Arcade Version - Part 1

How to beat Pac-Man in the arcades. You can learn in 5 minutes how to play Pac-Man for HOURS!
Please also check out my second video that teaches you ghost behaviour and proper skills - this will make you a real expert! • How to win at Pacman -...
If playing at home, I recommend Mame "Puckman Set 1" as there are a million bootleg versions and that is the original arcade on I grew up playing. This guide allows you get to really far in Pac-Man using only 2 maze patterns (three officially, but 2 are 99% the same as each other.
How to do it:
You need to learn pattern 1, for Maze 1. After the first power pill is eaten, you improvise any route that lets you eat all 4 ghosts (which will be on your tail at this point). Or you can use the time afforded by the power pill to carry on. Either way, you clear the dots from the bottom T shape, then head up to to the top right, and from here, you have an easy time - all the hard parts are clear and you still have 3 power pills left.
Then, pattern 2 (for mazes 2, 3 and 4) is exactly the same, apart from right at the beginning where you come back on yourself to avoid the light blue ghost.
When you get to maze 5 (Apple), there's a whole new pattern to learn, but if you can pull this off, you can use this pattern for maze after maze.
Good luck. Subscribe and send me money or something.

[@Roric23]

Instructions unclear, got my joystick caught in the ceiling fan.

[@85irocz28]

I got something else stuck in there

[@harbortime6585]

U did this before it was cool

[@voiddrifter1376]

I just wiggle it out and put it back

[@Wintershot11]

Wrong joystick… see a dr. ASAP

[@aidensoliday9880]

Very helpful I’m getting into the 30,000 point range now and can finally beat my father at this game

[@imgoingtocry_com]

Same here

[@spencer6874]

I started a a couple days ago and im at 55k but my problem is on my game the eating ghost thing only last like 1 second really fast so its getting hard. Im only at like the second apple level

[@alvinhancock4269]

The only reason I’m here

[@IHateAlmondMilk]

Did you beat him yet

[@creation.of.stories]

@@IHateAlmondMilk yeah did you?

[@CuCulainn1]

haha that's cool. I used to play a lot of Pacman in the arcades in the 90s .. I have different patterns than u.. But I was just in an arcade last week with my daughter and they had a Pacman for prize tickets machine. I cleaned it out of tickets twice.. and had a bunch of kids staring down in awe at mad Pacman skills :)

[@xoxoLeLa]

OMG same!!! read my comment

[@chimyshark]

wow which state is this? where can I find a pacman that gives you tickets?

[@CuCulainn1]

chimyshark it's in the UK I'm afraid.

[@chimyshark]

aahhhhhhhh...

[@philgreen1226]

my best is only lv 13, now if there was only galaga prize for tickets machine my best is 394,000 on galaga so id clean that sucker out cease fire glitch style

[@themightyimp08]

I used this to get the platinum on pacman world repac, to get the retro gamer trophy. I think most people can get to level 5 reasonably unaided, but this pattern up until the late turn around helped me get to second bell with ease, and I only needed to get to second Galaxian. Thanks!

[@malik11000]

Thank you, stevepiers -- I've found this very helpful. I've managed to improve my scores rapidly and consistently. I would still like to learn more.

[@TheOneTrueSpLiT]

I'm in my 50s now and have had 5 strokes both of which have had a negative effect on my memory as I knew these patterns and tips as a kid from the penguin book "How to Win at Pac-Man" now long gone. But on seeing your videos I just had to learn them again, and download a copy of said book. So now I am giving paccers a beating once again, albeit with the usual brain-farts to muck things up, but I'm having fun again :) So cheers Steve and many thanks for sharing.

[@elli6220]

that's so wholesome

[@andrewr888r]

Get a life

[@andrewr888r]

Get a life

[@TheOneTrueSpLiT]

​@@andrewr888r I've had one thanks you little shit - now fuck of like a good little boy.

[@andrewr888r]

GUY HALL Your In your 50’s and your playing Pac-Man. pac man is fun but at your age you should be doing more important shit

[@JohnnySkillish]

LOL I spent SO many quarters as a kid playing Pac-Man at the local arcade! I knew ALL the patterns. The one's I learned were P1, P2, P3, P4, PK-Tunnel, and P5. I would routinely get to the 5th-7th key. Man, those days were fun with arcades everywhere. My friend Greg from Smithfield, RI was the World Champion at "Defender"! These are decent patterns. The one thing I think is off with these patterns is that they don't allow for max score. ie. eating all monsters. Any GREAT pattern allows for PERFECT board scores which means eating all monsters on EVERY pill, AND both fruits on every board! I did really like Pattern 3 here (P3)-Efficient. Mine were slightly different and achieved that, but whatever works!

[@MountainHawkPYL]

I read the same book you did. The "hesitates" on P5 were a bit difficult to figure out exactly how long to take. After seeing this, I might try to make up a pattern again.

[@JohnnySkillish]

I agree on P5. It was all "feel". Making another pattern would be cool!

[@MountainHawkPYL]

The problem is wasting 20 minutes just to get to the 9th key. I got the 12th key, but mostly improvising after the 8th key.

[@DarthFlages]

What book may it be?

[@MountainHawkPYL]

"Mastering Pac-Man" by Ken Uston

[@WorgenRage]

I just now watched pixels, after watching I was interested with the patterns.

[@smiffykid666]

+Dash Storm Same here :3 i'm now addicted to pac man XD

[@lastsonshine]

same

[@lastsonshine]

+kellytheredpanda same bro now im addictind to pacman forever

[@juicymin]

Same

[@calebsen5844]

+kellytheredpanda im also addicted

[@JulianPope]

Thanks Steve, just got a Pac Man arcade cab so I will continually be trying to get better.

[@thejmackproject]

Great video will have to watch it a bunch more. Thanks for sharing 😎

[@SonikkuBrat]

This is awesome, picked up a pac-man game recently and this really is working! Had to unsolder the difficulty mod on the board though.

[@danielmcgrath9369]

I have being loving this game for almost fourty years,Pac on Man.

[@loganfrench9024]

This is a great and helper video ty

[@alexishamilton3979]

Wow! This is great!!!!!

[@epsohapshiro]

Pac-man sounds is what makes the game addictive for me, when you eat the fruit is the best one.

[@ahkiureemshabazz4927]

Im 42, have always had video game consoles (Atari, Nintendo,N64,GameCube,Xbox,PS1,2,3,4etc)I 1st played PacMan in the early 80s when it came out on Atari🕹❤

[@ItsWAWGaming]

Now I make it up to board 7 on average now that i've learned pattern 3.

[@topgunbass]

A good pattern is one that can easily be repeated. Usually there is no change in direction. Your 3rd pattern leaves no room for error. Check out Billy Mitchell's tunnel terror if you want a solid 9th key pattern.

[@AnkitKun]

Dude is a genius , all hail lord Steve

[@jamesavery3559]

many thank's

[@Wintershot11]

It’s been a long time since I played pac-man but the patterns we used to use got you 1600 points for every power pill plus the treat - racking up points much faster. This set of patterns doesn’t do that unfortunately. My “in my prime” high score was 228,000 second to a buddy who got 232,000. We both would be disappointed with any game where we got less than 150,000. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@themightyimp08]

Yes you are correct, the old skool patterns were for the maximum possible score.. helpful when going for achievements like eat all 4 ghosts 4 times on certain pacman games

[@richardbradley6038]

I developed my own pattern on a sped up. Pac-man. For the first 2 levels I use one route. For the rest I use a different route and have used the same one up til the game ended at around the 26th key or so with a score over 600.000

[@astrotrainreviews1355]

Cool, I love Pac-Man, I know the ghost patterns and that's how I can beat it, I used an infindent live cheat code before.

[@leofromthe9159]

thank u so much i looked cool in the arcade😎

[@wleon4068]

I used to be addicted to this game. I downloaded this for the MAME Arcade Emulator.

[@OntzetttendeJan]

Thanks. Bought Pac-Man on my PS4 the other and got back into it. The third pattern is very useful, I like to do a bit of freestyling anyway. If only I could get a decent 4-way stick for the PS4.. Might get back to Mame and use the good old keyboard.

[@thefrankiepalmeri]

Jan Duin Im thinking of making my own.

[@jamesavery3559]

try a XArcade setup real control stick's!

[@fredscott3368]

In the early 80's I spent hundreds of $'s playing Pac Man and guzzling Scotch, someone showed the a couple of patterns, I could score over a million, and then it wasn't as much fun. Could play for hours on a buck. The route I had wasn't the same as the ones here.

[@shaunchambers8877]

I think my highest score was like 250k or something but that was 30 years ago lol

[@Kidzeegames]

amazing

[@reload1745]

OMG... Thanks you are amazing!!!!

[@StevesMagic]

Thanks - theres a better version of this video on my channel with an extra bit at the end

[@heatherthompson3078]

We just watched Pixels a couple hours ago, It was kinda funny, My family and I liked it not picking it apart.

[@rywm7821]

Best retro game ever

[@thedylansang]

Of course the third pattern is hard to learn. I have to come back to this video every time I play.

[@Jabermania]

Great

[@ryandanahy1920]

Wow!! Great tips! I actually have my own secret strategy

[@StevesMagic]

I have done a new version of this video to help you - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXyUZ6enaJx6obc

[@Bronx1875]

kinda why I enjoy the turbo version more. Routes are heavily relied on, on the original game while the turbo version allows you to play how want.

[@treyk-4721]

Remember watching this after pixels

[@millip8505]

First time watching this video... *How have I never seen this before?* o.O

[@justinwalsh4669]

It is very good i judt had to slow it down

[@isaiahsmith6811]

Thx for tye help dude

[@isaiahsmith6811]

The

[@StevesMagic]

Shake shake Shake señora you are welcome! Share and like please!

[@isaiahsmith6811]

stevepiers already shared

[@crotchknockerx5730]

mom would not let me play cause my eyes would get blood shot....I let her think that was the reason

[@godfreybaudelaire2583]

100th like! good video

[@icyu5169]

Awsome

[@StevesMagic]

cheers! please share and like and subscribe and all that, thanks!

[@ItzAveragePlayz]

i thought this was random possibilities now its a pattern

[@StevesMagic]

Well, the ghosts head to a target square based on Pacmans position so if you do the same routes every time you play the ghosts will too!

[@TheLonelyGoomba]

The third pattern seems to fall apart at Key 5 for me. Do you tend to stick with it or try something else? Shall probably try something else between Key 5 and 9.

[@MoonieMuses]

Hey it’s the LongelyGoomba! How’s life between those two pipes?

[@chase2247]

I'm pretty sure u forgot about the ninth key pattern but I tryed those patterns and they help a lot

[@pilsner211]

+Chanble X thought it was 5th key? the ghosts no longer change blue, and move fast while pacman moves slow. i still remember the patters and havent played since the 80s. lol

[@MountainHawkPYL]

That depends on the settings the owner of the machine selected. You can tell how the owner set the game by looking at the light blue monster at the beginning of the game. If he immediately leaves the center box at the start, than that's the difficult setting where you will need the 9th key pattern at the 5th key. Otherwise, it would be the 9th.

[@ItsWAWGaming]

I made it nearly to board 6 with this video before with an average of board 2 or 3.

[@infraredtoa9105]

if you dont want to lose on one pacman flash game learn this: 1) blinky doesnt follow you 2)Pinky and Inky follow you but they use different shorcuts 3)clyde follows you but when he watches you he runs away

[@bogosbinted5432]

0:26 is a good start time

[@thedylansang]

This is nice. But I have a trick. When you lose a life, don't eat any dots until Clyde exits the room. Afterwards, eat as many dots as you can, then when you need to, go to a Power Pellet and eat it. Use it on the ghosts, and they will all be trapped.

[@sTopHacKinG]

how fun is this, outside the world of crime and politics, those starving and thieves trying to survive

[@josephhill7215]

What the Fuck?

[@SFOPRanger]

Thx

[@XrAiDeN]

You can use mameplusUI and a Pacman arcade rom.

[@mielito2699]

Perfect, great video

[@mr.universe1991]

Here are a some Pac Man patterns, Pac patterns if you will to get you playing literally hours!!! ;-)

[@cozmicmojo2181]

Can someone tell me what determines how long the power pill lasts? Sometimes it lasts one second and then after I die it resets and the enemies are now edible longer. I don't get the pattern.

[@Bugadasuga]

2:16 ohmaiga his ankles, i know he's mad.. Lmao

[@MystiqEevee]

The first 2 patterns are easy to learn third one i screw up everytime

[@emitheartist1813]

PAC man is hard.

[@devoncook6215]

Emi The Artist Pac-Man

[@Dex-bm4kk]

Ew

[@Squishmallowfluff123]

Emi The Artist Ueah

[@oerlikon20mm29]

i like in when the ghosts start flashing white, it reminds me of a Creeper lol

[@smiffykid666]

And i thought my score of 7,000 was good :( XD

[@mikev.9211]

Thursday May 22, 1980 was the official release of Pac-Man

[@thestig9699]

Interesting video. You're using the MAME emulator with the original Midway Pacman, right? I didn't recognize your patterns, no doubt they're your personal ones. I do believe they are risky when improvising on the "keys". Have you heard of Ken Uston's p4, p4-tunnel, and p5 patterns. Much less risky. Also Bazo's Breaker allowed me to score 3,188,290 in 1981. Took me 4:27 to do it. Broke the game on the 244th key (12fruit+243keys=255+1=Crash).

[@michaeldelzitti895]

these graphics are amazing.they should create a game where you have to defend from space invaders and stuff ;like that.Also since asteroids have been hitting earth a lot it would be a good idea to create a game where you have to destroy asteroids from a space ship shaped like a triangle.

[@MountainHawkPYL]

YOU FOOL!

[@nicktucker3437]

I saw patterns very similar to this in a printed magazine in the early 80s, dont remember the name of it though. I used to play Ms pac man well past the point where the ghosts only reverse directions when you eat the power pill. it was due to luck, not a pattern though.

[@StevesMagic]

Yeah, I'm making a video on MS PacMan when I get some time, but as you say, it's not a game where you can memorise patterns. In PacMan the ghosts head for their target squares which are all based on PacMan's position, so if you move in a specific pattern the ghosts will as well. In Ms PacMan it's much more random. There are some skills you can use, like making sure you are near the tunnel at the right time to eat the fruit asap, but there's no fixed routes like in the first game. Please like and Subscribe, cheers!

[@rusty1187]

THE APPLE PATTERN WILL ONLY WORK UP TO THE 9TH KEY! THEN PACMAN SLOWS DOWN AND YOU WILL NEED A NEW PATTERN. THE 9TH KEY PATTERN WILL WORK FROM THERE UP TO THE 256TH MAZE. THEN THE MACHINE MEMORY ROLLS OVER TO ZERO AND THE GAME CRASHES. I'VE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DO IT ONCE, AND IT TOOK 6 HOURS!

[@StevesMagic]

There's another video on my channel for the 9th Key pattern, and also a compilation of all the patterns.

[@02dodgecaravan]

ive tried this initial pattern and variants of it but its not reliable at least maybe not for my version of the game. which version is more like the arcade version?

[@ataex6896]

Now I average around the 5th key level thanks. My record is 175010

[@ztevezen9434]

Or keep using the pattern tell you reach the killscreen

[@EpicNerd-ru4mw]

Hi I'm just a complete nerd looking for some help with Packman. I know the defender algarithym off by heart, as well as quite a few others, but pac man's always been my down fall. With Ur help now I'm only 300 away from a perfect score!!! ☺️

[@dannygjk]

1. You can do all screens with only 2 patterns. I was using 3 patterns but a guy showed me you can use 2 patterns. So I started using those 2 patterns. :) 2. I once scored 1,749,xxx but I don't remember how long it took. BTW it was on the arcade machine :)

[@thefrankiepalmeri]

Dan Kelly Please post/share the pattern.

[@dannygjk]

lol I can't remember that was many years ago.

[@therexershow]

If I can. Keep doing this until forever , what is the 9th key pattern for?

[@paulclay4293]

Here's a great original Pac-man version if you are looking for one - www.retrogames.cc/arcade-games/pac-man-midway.html

[@The22GunGuy]

pattern seems to break down on 3rd key

[@danmcconnell5941]

This is not the pattern I learned years ago. What I learned was a complete pattern that didn't allow free lancing at the end. And it worked all the way up until the 7th key.

[@mikecunningham4682]

Is it possible to use the 3rd pattern on the first mazes?

[@prestonferry]

I have a PACMAN game that I plug into my TV in order to play it... It has a mode where it is an exact replica of the 255-256 level where the Kill Screen occurs... None of these patterns work on that... What other patterns can I use to beat it?

[@nightmare8096]

1:46 pause right there, pinky won fair and square.

[@Rlotpir1972]

In the apple rounds on, I went the opposite way to get the first fruit.

[@celinesenden4142]

40 anniversary of pac man

[@StevesMagic]

very true - only seems like yesterday. Please like and Subscribe!

[@endruler8625]

I'm playing on a Plug&Play made by Jakks Pacific. Clyde (orange ghost) doesn't come out of the ghost box when he's supposed to. Is it my system? Or am I just playing it wrong?

[@Warsmith_The]

wow look at all these marketers for "pac hero"

[@phenomenologicalparadox5216]

Do you have a link to this version? With better textures I mean.

[@markokuret2563]

Whic version of pac-man is used to break record (arcade or...)

[@BriefDark]

Old comment, but yes. They use the arcade version.

[@nene-hr4kz]

Gee THANKS I've got a PAC man at Home 😁 and I've tried and tried to beat him sit for hrs and it seems like he Alway get me so I reached out for help on U-Tube to see if anyone wants to help me I'm definitely going to try This 🤗 THANKS for sharing ❤

[@StevesMagic]

Glad I could help

[@happyhappystimpy6017]

Bro this tutorial is like learning math at school, X axis ghost on the left, Y axis ghost on the left. I just wanna play some fuckin' Pac Man.

[@StevesMagic]

Try and focus on the areas, like, pattern 1 is go left to bottom corner, go along the bottom abd back up big square around the middle. simplifies it a lot.,

[@StevesMagic]

Yeah, I thought so!

[@timpiano2359]

i need a link to this version if anyone has it

[@kyl3e9287]

i invented a pattern for the original the first yr it was out works great the problem is it gets so boring after awhile your bound to screw up

[@danielalayof4728]

Where can I play the original 1980 Midway Pac Man on line? Or where can I download it?

[@rafaelceottomusic6918]

After some game overs it stopped working. After eating the 4 ghosts in pattern 1, the red ghost quickly recovers and get me when I'm going up.

[@StevesMagic]

I have done a new version of this video to help you - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXyUZ6enaJx6obc

[@NathanHassall]

however helpful to novice players these three patterns will not take a player into hours of gameplay...you must learn the 5th and 9th key patterns to obtain 6 digit scores and split screens.

[@anakinthecavoodle6652]

Stevepiera what console did you use to play this game

[@jaylo4142]

Tried the 3rd pattern after the 5th level. Didnt work, im assuming it was user error. Any advice?

[@CloudyStudio]

Where did you get the arcade version?

[@bio09029]

Jaren Tomlinson that is what I’m trying to figure out

[@justamir5]

Are there any websites where i can practice this on? I dont have an old console or arcade machine that can play pacman

[@dominic0900]

Can this be used for the NES an famicom?

[@KellyLifferth]

so you are more focused on getting through the level than eating ghosts for higher points?

[@StevesMagic]

Yep!

[@fabianherrera869]

watched pixels and wanted to learn the pattern

[@yuhanliu6338]

Doing a java program AI rn and trying to get the stat lol, never played pac man before

[@flashbanger6076]

One of those 1980's