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Google doodle celebrates Pac-Manniversary with playable game

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Pac-Man, the search behemoth has turned its logo into a playable version of the venerable classic

Nick Hide Managing copy editor
Nick manages CNET's advice copy desk from Springfield, Virginia. He's worked at CNET since 2005.
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Nick Hide

Quick, go to Google right now! The doodle is a playable game of Pac-Man! Brilliant. Have a go, it's Friday, no one will mind*. When you're done, come back and we'll tell you about it.

Cool huh? It's celebrating the 30th anniversary of Pac-Man. It was released on 22 May 1980 in Japan, where that's already the date.

We love that 'I'm Feeling Lucky' has been replaced by 'Insert Coin', which gives you a Ms Pac-Man for another player. Pac uses the arrow buttons and his girl gets the WASD keys in a competitive battle of the yellow sexes.

When you've used up your lives, it takes you to a search result page, just like other Google doodles. This West Country-born Craver is hugely gratified that the second result is 'Swindon To Celebrate Pac-Man's 30th Anniversary'.

It's the first time Google has made its doodle interactive, not counting competitions to design them.

Let us know what your high score is in the comments below.

*Not our fault if someone minds.