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Events on Thursday 22 May 1980 1
1980Pac-Man ReleasedNamco arcade game becomes a global phenomenonNamco released the arcade game Pac-Man in Japan on 22 May 1980, later distributed internationally by Midway. Its simple maze-chase gameplay and character design made it one of the best-selling and most recognizable video games ever made. Pac-Man helped broaden arcade gaming's appeal beyond its traditional young male audience.