LEGO Icons 10323 PAC-MAN Arcade takes builders back to the ’80s

The latest in a series of retro gaming consoles, LEGO Icons 10323 PAC-MAN Arcade will take builders on a nostalgic trip back to the 1980s.

A new LEGO Icons build will make its debut next week, with 10323 PAC-MAN Arcade arriving early for VIP members on June 1 and then a wide release on June 4. The 2,651-piece model was created in collaboration with Bandai Namco to celebrate the yellow dot-muncher’s 43rd anniversary and is packed with retro details.

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10323 PAC-MAN Arcade follows in the footstep of previous brick-built retro gaming consoles such as 71374 Nintendo Entertainment System and 10306 Atari 2600. As an homage to the 1980s, the upcoming LEGO Icons set feels like a natural successor to not only both of those models but also the era that spawned the modern age of video games.

“We wanted to recreate the experience of the eighties and the joy that people got from the arcade games of that time,” said LEGO designer Sven Franic. “What makes PAC-MAN special was that it was the first game that didn’t include violence. A lot of the computer games back then were usually about destroying things. This is the only game that didn’t do that, so it had a much better gender split.”

Franic went on to explain how the team behind the set attempted to stay true to the original PAC-MAN game, but had to make some adjustments to the cabinet in order recreate it as a LEGO Icons model.

“The original arcade cabinet is enormous with a very large base. Instead, we made a cut off version of the arcade game where the most aesthetic part is the focus and it’s still big enough to make an impact on your shelf.”

10323 PAC-MAN Arcade is due to launch for VIPs on June 1 and a wider release will take place from June 4, with the LEGO Icons model priced at £229.99 / $269.99 / €269.99. Find out all you need to know about the upcoming build in our visual guide and gallery.

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