While this one isn't technically a "board game," per se, it IS an attempt at replicating the arcade experience in a toy that you can enjoy in your own home! Also, this is simply one of the most unique games you will ever see (again from Japan, because of course), and it's worth a look just for that!
I am ashamed to admit that I had no knowledge of this as a kid, and I was completely obsessed and consumed with Pac-Man at that time. I have no idea how it slipped by me, but I'd like to think it wasn't advertised very well, and flew completely under the radar! I would've eaten it up, though.
This game was made by Tomy (by the way, You Tube people, it is NOT pronounced "Tommy"), who brought tons of cool toys over to the U.S. during that time (think RUN YOURSELF RAGGED). The idea is to recreate the experience of playing Pac-Man by using a joystick-controlled tilt-table, characters with roller-balls built in, and magnets! You read that right!
First off, here are the included characters: Pac-Man, a blue ghost (Inky of course to us), and a red ghost (who we know as Blinky). Each has a marble-sized metal ball-bearing underneath, allowing them to roll freely. The fruit targets (which the instructions refer to as "Power Pills," here we go again...) also have large flat magnets beneath them.
The gameboard includes three metal wickets, like you would see in croquet. One very cool thing about this game is that it is customizable, and you can place these metal wickets wherever you want. The above configuration is what the instructions indicate. Once you place these, you attach the fruit beneath them, where they are held on with the magnets.
Next, set the timer. This game would have been plenty of fun without it, but suddenly PERFECTION memories come flooding back!
Now, using the joystick, guide your Pac-Man along the maze, picking up the fruit targets and bringing them back to your home base area (where they are removed and placed in an area to the left of the joystick). He has a magnet in his head, which will allow him to pick up the fruit! Try to keep going, and acquire all of the fruit, but don't let a ghost catch up or run into you (they have side magnets, which was a pretty devious touch)! It can be pretty challenging, especially with the timer running.
Here is what it looks like under the board--the yellow receptacle holds the center of the board, and is tilted around by the joystick.
Overall review: This game actually succeeds in recreating the mechanics of playing Pac-Man, but in your own home. It shows how far companies were willing to go to do that very thing. It also allows some customization, which can give you some different playing experiences (and I guess you don't always have to start everyone on their spaces if you don't want to). If you are after one, hold out for one that is totally complete!
Lastly, here are the instructions for the game:
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