The True Story of Pac Man -- and a Ton of Weird Theories

Ridiculous History

iHeartPodcasts

History, Society & Culture

4.3 • 4.4K Ratings

🗓️ 18 September 2025

⏱️ 38 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

As one of the most iconic games in all of arcade history, Pac Man is recognized across the planet. But how did it get here -- and why are there so many in-depth fan theories about what it means? Is Pac Man a Sisyphean immortal cursed with endless toil? Is he underwater, stealing errant Pong balls? Is he himself a ghost, or on drugs? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max unravel the bizarre, inspiring origin story of one of history's greatest video games.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Ridiculous History is a production of IHeart Radio. Welcome back to the show.
0:27.9	Fellow ridiculous historians.
0:29.4	Thank you, as always so much for tuning in.
0:32.5	Let's hear it for our favorite video game,
0:35.1	Ghost Super producer, Mr. Max Williams. A Waka super producer Mr. Max Williams.
0:38.9	Max.
0:39.5	O Waka, Waka.
0:40.8	Max Atari Teenage Riot Williams.
0:43.4	Oh, that's a cut I wasn't expecting, but I love it.
0:46.6	That's Noel Brown.
0:47.9	I'm Ben Bowling.
0:50.4	Before we go, can I tell you all that I've decided on the next tattoo already.
0:54.6	Oh, good.
0:55.2	Yeah.
0:55.5	It's going to be the third empire symbol on the inner bicep on the right arm.
1:00.5	Oh, that is, Max.
1:01.8	You know what, you know what it is.
1:03.9	I don't.
1:04.5	Is it Star Trek related?
1:06.1	It's Clare Obscure related.
1:07.5	It's more Clare obscure.
1:08.9	It's not Clarebscure.
	...

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