Say Goodbye to Pac-Man 99: Nintendo Switch Online Game to Shut Down in 2023

Pac-Man 99 will soon be bidding farewell as its services are set to end in late 2023. The game, which was exclusively launched on Nintendo Switch Online on April 7th, 2021, is a spin-off of the classic Pac-Man game that was first released in 1980. Over the past 43 years, Pac-Man has transformed into a highly popular franchise with various maze-like and genre-bending spin-offs, including a trilogy of 3D platformers and a child-friendly version with a Disney XD association. The original game and its early spin-offs have been adapted for numerous platforms over the years. Pac-Man 99, which was introduced as the franchise's debut in the Battle Royale genre, is among the most intriguing reimaginations to date. As the game's name implies, up to 99 players compete simultaneously to clear out the mazes by consuming ghosts, which are then transferred onto other players' maps.

Nintendo has announced that Pac-Man 99 will be removed from the eShop in October 2023, however, the shutdown process will take place gradually over three months. In August, the game's custom skins will no longer be available for purchase, followed by the removal of DLC in September. The game as a whole will be delisted in October, with all online functionalities being shut down. On a positive note, unlike the removal of Super Mario Bros. 35, Pac-Man 99's offline modes will still be playable and any custom themes and purchased DLC can still be used or redownloaded.

Despite this, many fans have expressed disappointment in the comments, as the game's removal lowers the value of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. This has been perceived as inferior to the alternatives offered by PlayStation and Xbox. The industry's track record for game preservation is not strong, with Nintendo being one of the worst offenders. However, Namco has shown significant love for the Pac-Man IP in recent times, so it's possible that a rerelease could happen down the line.

In recent years, the battle royale genre has emerged as the most popular video game trend. It has surpassed collectathons, first-person shooters, and even open-world games. The trend shows no signs of slowing down, with new original IPs and variants of classic titles being introduced regularly. It remains to be seen how far this genre will go and how long these games will last, especially after the success of Pac-Man 99 and similar games that continue to thrive even after their shutdowns. However, it's worth noting that Pac-Man 99 is scheduled to be shut down on October 10th, 2023.