What is the best game similar to Pac-Man 256?

The closest game to Pac-Man 256 is Rhythm Doctor, scoring 72/100 on our similarity scale. They share 9 gameplay attributes, including puzzle design, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Pac-Man 256?

The three closest games to Pac-Man 256 are: 1. Rhythm Doctor (72/100, 9 shared attributes) 2. The Beatles: Rock Band (65/100, 6 shared attributes) 3. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (60/100, 7 shared attributes). All share Pac-Man 256's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 47 candidates across 12 dimensions.

Is The Beatles: Rock Band similar to Pac-Man 256?

Yes — The Beatles: Rock Band scores 65/100 similarity to Pac-Man 256. They share 6 attributes, including puzzle design and offline. There are some notable differences in pacing or mechanics.

What Puzzle games are similar to Pac-Man 256?

The best Puzzle games similar to Pac-Man 256 are Rhythm Doctor, The Beatles: Rock Band, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures and Katamari Damacy Reroll. All share the Puzzle genre alongside other key Pac-Man 256 attributes like puzzle design, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

How is similarity to Pac-Man 256 calculated?

We compare Pac-Man 256 against every game in our catalog using 12 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Pac-Man 256 experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

47 Games like Pac-Man 256 that you should try

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

Looking for games like Pac-Man 256? We analyzed its gameplay DNA — puzzle design, vibe casual and procedural generation — against over 6,700 titles. These 47 alternatives are ranked by real similarity, not marketing tags. Rhythm Doctor leads with 72/100, followed by the rest of the list.

iRank85/ 100

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GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

Top games similar to Pac-Man 256

47 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Pac-Man 256. Each one has been evaluated across 12 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Rhythm DoctorClosest overall match

iRank92

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineMeleeCasualPixel ArtFree to Play

Steam👍 98%· 26KRAWG👍 82%· 26IGDB93· 1

Year 2025Dev 7th Beat Games · indienovaPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed Pac-Man 256, expect puzzle design, vibe casual and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping roguelike runs

Save lives with your spacebar! Rhythm Doctor is a rhythm game in a world where defibrillating patients' hearts in sync with their heartbeats has healing properties. Slam your spacebar in perfect time on the 7th beat, and they might just come out okay.

Where it drifts furthest from Pac-Man 256: tone.

Released 10 years after Pac-Man 256.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals51Tone46

Details →

Steam

#2The Beatles: Rock BandClosest on tone

iRank88

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-opCasual

IGDB88· 7

Year 2009Dev Harmonix Music Systems · MTV GamesOn PlayStation 3

✓ Nearly identical: puzzle design, vibe casual and offline.

≠ Missing: roguelike runs.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100

Details →

#3The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

iRank85

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineMeleeIsometric

IGDB85· 2

Year 2004Dev Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.3 · Nintendo

✓ Like Pac-Man 256, it's known for puzzle design, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, dark, oppressive atmosphere and ranged combat, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Pac-Man 256: tone.

It predates Pac-Man 256 by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Combat68Visuals60Tone0

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#4Katamari Damacy Reroll

iRank88

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloOfflineMultiplayerMeleeCasual

Steam👍 93%· 6.6KIGDB85· 7OC83· 65

Year 2018Dev MONKEYCRAFT Co. Ltd · Bandai Namco EntertainmentOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ If you enjoyed Pac-Man 256, expect puzzle design, vibe casual and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, cozy, relaxing feel and vibe relaxing, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Pac-Man 256: visuals.

Released 3 years after Pac-Man 256.

Genre100Combat100Game mode80Tone58Visuals0

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Steam PS Nintendo

#5AudioSurfClosest on world

iRank88

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloCo-opOfflineCasualProcedural

Steam👍 96%· 11KRAWG👍 78%· 550MC85IGDB90· 2

Year 2008Dev Dylan FittererPlaytime ~3hOn PC

✓ Like Pac-Man 256, it's known for puzzle design, vibe casual and procedural generation

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe relaxing and visual third person, while skipping roguelike runs

Audiosurf is a puzzle rhythm game developed by Invisible Handlebar. Players control a levitating vehicle and race it down a multi-colored highway. The players have to collect colored blocks known as "cars" and form clusters of three or more blocks of the same color.

Where it drifts furthest from Pac-Man 256: visuals.

Genre100World100Game mode82Tone72Visuals0

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

MultiplayerOfflineSoloCo-opCasual

Steam👍 90%· 16KIGDB68· 7OC72· 29

Year 2016Dev WeirdBeardOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Shared with Pac-Man 256: puzzle design, vibe casual and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Where it differs: brings online features, PvP competition and visual 2d, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Pac-Man 256: visuals.

Genre100Tone100Game mode71Visuals0

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-op

IGDB93· 7

Year 2008Dev Harmonix Music Systems · MTV GamesOn PlayStation 3

✓ Nearly identical: puzzle design, offline and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: roguelike runs.

Details →

#8Guitar Hero II

iRank92

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-op

IGDB92· 5

Year 2006Dev Harmonix Music Systems · Activision

✓ Nearly identical: puzzle design, offline and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: roguelike runs.

It predates Pac-Man 256 by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Details →

#9Tetris Effect: Connected

iRank92

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineCasual

Steam👍 95%· 8.8KIGDB89· 10OC89· 67

Year 2020Dev Monstars · EnhanceOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ If you enjoyed Pac-Man 256, expect puzzle design, vibe casual and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: competitive edge, strong narrative focus and setting scifi, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Pac-Man 256: visuals and tone.

Released 5 years after Pac-Man 256.

Genre100Game mode68Tone38Visuals0

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Steam Epic PS

#10Guitar Hero: Metallica

iRank90

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-op

IGDB90· 2

Year 2009Dev Neversoft Entertainment · ActivisionOn PlayStation 3

✓ Nearly identical: puzzle design, offline and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: roguelike runs.

Details →

#11Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine

iRank93

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

SoloOfflineMultiplayerCasualPvP

Steam👍 93%· 14

Year 1993Dev Compile · Tec ToyOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Like Pac-Man 256, it's known for puzzle design, vibe casual and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, strong narrative focus and setting scifi, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Pac-Man 256: visuals.

It predates Pac-Man 256 by 22 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Tone92Game mode71Visuals0

Details →

Steam Nintendo

#12Guitar Hero World Tour

iRank83

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-op

IGDB83· 4

Year 2008Dev Neversoft Entertainment · ActivisionOn PlayStation 3 · PC · Mac

✓ Nearly identical: puzzle design, offline and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: roguelike runs.

Details →

#13Puyo Puyo Tetris

iRank84

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

OfflineSoloMultiplayerMeleeCasual

Steam👍 85%· 5.5KIGDB84· 13OC83· 82

Year 2014Dev Sonic Team · SegaOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · PC

✓ Shared with Pac-Man 256: puzzle design, vibe casual and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings competitive edge, cozy, relaxing feel and punishing difficulty, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Pac-Man 256: visuals and tone.

Genre100Combat100Game mode65Tone36Visuals0

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-op

IGDB81· 5

Year 2009Dev Neversoft Entertainment · ActivisionOn PlayStation 3

✓ Nearly identical: puzzle design, offline and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: roguelike runs.

Details →

#15Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to)

iRank93

GenrePuzzleSubgenreLogic Puzzle

MultiplayerSoloCo-opCasualRelaxing

Steam👍 98%· 9.0KRAWG👍 87%· 69IGDB90· 1

Year 2019Dev PopcannibalPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ If you enjoyed Pac-Man 256, expect puzzle design, vibe casual and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe relaxing, strong narrative focus and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping roguelike runs

Write Nice Letters to People and Get StickersHas something got you down? Stressed you out? Scared you? That's pretty normal. It might help you to talk about it. In Kind Words, players anonymously write out their concerns and sorrows by making short requests for letters.

Where it drifts furthest from Pac-Man 256: visuals and tone.

Released 4 years after Pac-Man 256.

Genre100Game mode92Tone26Visuals0

Details →

Steam itch.io

Complete list of Pac-Man 256 alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Pac-Man 256, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Columns

Puzzle

Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring the Legend of Zelda

Puzzle · Adventure

PuzzleQuest: Challenge of the Warlords

Puzzle · RPG

Guitar Hero

Puzzle

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith

Puzzle

Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock

Puzzle

Peggle Deluxe

Puzzle

Katamari Damacy

Puzzle · Adventure

WarioWare: Smooth Moves

Puzzle

Lemmings

Puzzle

Reanimal

Puzzle · Adventure

Sayonara Wild Hearts

Puzzle · Adventure

Dispatch

Puzzle · Adventure

Jazzpunk

Puzzle · Adventure

Bejeweled Deluxe

Puzzle

Disney's Goof Troop

Puzzle · Adventure

Crash Bash

Puzzle

Osu!

Puzzle

Candy Crush Saga

Puzzle

Big Money! Deluxe

Puzzle

Angry Birds Star Wars

Puzzle

Super Bomberman

Puzzle

Rock Band

Puzzle

Angry Birds Space

Puzzle

Peggle Nights

Puzzle

Amazing Adventures Around the World

Puzzle · Adventure

Bejeweled Twist

Puzzle

The Wizard's Pen

Puzzle · Adventure

Amazing Adventures The Lost Tomb

Puzzle

RoboBlitz

Puzzle

Dr. Mario

Puzzle

Marble Madness

Puzzle

Explore games similar to Pac-Man 256 by category

Recent releases similar to Pac-Man 256

Newest titles in the list, for anyone who has already played the classics.

2026Reanimal 2025Rhythm Doctor 2025Dispatch

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Pac-Man 256?: The closest game to Pac-Man 256 is Rhythm Doctor, scoring 72/100 on our similarity scale. They share 9 gameplay attributes, including puzzle design, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Pac-Man 256?: The three closest games to Pac-Man 256 are: 1. Rhythm Doctor (72/100, 9 shared attributes) 2. The Beatles: Rock Band (65/100, 6 shared attributes) 3. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (60/100, 7 shared attributes). All share Pac-Man 256's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 47 candidates across 12 dimensions.
Is The Beatles: Rock Band similar to Pac-Man 256?: Yes — The Beatles: Rock Band scores 65/100 similarity to Pac-Man 256. They share 6 attributes, including puzzle design and offline. There are some notable differences in pacing or mechanics.
What Puzzle games are similar to Pac-Man 256?: The best Puzzle games similar to Pac-Man 256 are Rhythm Doctor, The Beatles: Rock Band, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures and Katamari Damacy Reroll. All share the Puzzle genre alongside other key Pac-Man 256 attributes like puzzle design, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.
How is similarity to Pac-Man 256 calculated?: We compare Pac-Man 256 against every game in our catalog using 12 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Pac-Man 256 experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.