Nintendo has announced that Pac-Man 99, the 99-player online battle royale based on the titular arcade classic and free for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers to play, will see its online services shut off on October 8th this year.
On this same date, the game itself will be discontinued and pulled from the Nintendo Switch eShop. Anyone who’s already downloaded the game, including either of its paid DLCs and themes, will still be able to play and re-download it from the libraries, but they’ll be limited to the offline CPU Battle, Blind Time Attack and Score Attack modes.
The official statement and schedule for the closure of Pac-Man 99’s online service, which will see it join its sibling Super Mario Bros. 35 in online server heaven, is below:
“PAC-MAN 99, which is currently available as a benefit for Nintendo Switch Online members, will soon be discontinued.
Distribution of the main game and sales for each DLC will end accordingly.
End date schedule is as follows:
• August 8, 2023 (Tue) 8:00 AM PDT
Discontinued content: Paid custom themes
• September 8, 2023 (Fri) 8:00 AM PDT
Discontinued content: PAC-MAN 99 Deluxe Pack / PAC-MAN 99 Mode Unlock
• October 8, 2023 (Sun) 9:00 PM PDT
Discontinuation of online services for the main game / distribution of the main game and free custom themes
Even after online services are discontinued for the main game, users who own either of the paid DLCs (PAC-MAN 99 Deluxe Pack or PAC-MAN 99 Mode Unlock) can continue to enjoy CPU BATTLE, BLIND TIME ATTACK, and SCORE ATTACK in offline mode.
In addition, please note:
• PAC-MAN 99 themes that were purchased can be used in offline mode.
• Purchased content can be re-downloaded even after discontinuation of sales.
• PAC-MAN 99 Deluxe Pack includes all paid downloadable content, so please be careful not to make duplicate purchases.”
Anyone keen to check the game out while it’s still in service with online modes playable, or wanting to ensure they have the game in their library before it disappears, can grab it from the Nintendo Switch eShop right here.
