Pac-Attack is based on Namco's Japanese-only arcade puzzler Cosmo Gang the Puzzle, similar to many block-dropping puzzle games from the time, such as Puyo Puyo.
The objective of the game is to place ghosts and then, after three pieces (which can include one or two blocks as well), make Pac-Man eat as many ghosts as possible to try and clear up the game area. Pac-Man's directions are chosen at random between left or right, but as he goes moving on the game area (after you place him, of course), if he bumps against a block or a "wall" on the game area, he will change his direction. As with many block-dropping puzzlers, if a line of blocks and/or ghosts reaches the top, the game ends. However, by filling up a meter on the left of the game area, a fairy may appear that can clear approximately 6 or 7 lines with ghosts, but it only clears the ghosts, although the blocks that were on top of them will drop.
The gameplay involves eating ghosts and clearing lines to progress. The game also includes a versus mode against another human player, where players take turns trying to eat more ghosts than their opponent. Additionally, there is a Puzzle mode with 100 levels, where you have to eat all ghosts with no more than 4 Pac-Men at a time.
Pac-Attack was released for the Sega Genesis in 1993 , and its gameplay has stood the test of time as a fun and challenging puzzle game.