Plot
From the front of the manual:Gameplay
The player controls Munch Man using either the keyboard or joystick. Like ''Pac-Man'', the goal of a level is to visit every part of the maze, but instead of eating dots the player fills the maze with a chain pattern. Four Hoonos (the equivalent of ''Pac-Man'' ghosts) attempt to thwart Munch Man's efforts to complete his mission. However, Munch Man always has his "Energizer" (the equivalent of a ''Pac-Man'' power pill) which gives Munch Man the ability to devour the Hoonos. The game ends when the player's lives are depleted. The shape of the Hoonos changes with each level, but their colors remain consistent. Each level has Hoonos colored red, yellow, blue, and purple. There are 20 unique sets of Hoonos. Beginning with level 21, the Hoonos recycle shape. In level 20, 40, and 60, the maze is invisible and there are no chains. Instead, Munch Man must eat all the TI logos in the invisible maze. This gives the odd effect of showcasing the maze at first, but slowly hiding the maze as the player removes the indications of the maze paths by eating the TI logos.Scoring
10 points are earned for every link of the chain made. 70 points are awarded for each of the four Texas-shaped energizers eaten per level. 100 points are given for the first Hoono munched, 200 for the second, 400 for the third, and 800 for the fourth. For every 10,000 points earned, an extra Munch Man is awarded.Development
Originally, Munch Man gobbled dots and power-pills, just like Pac-Man. However, TI decided to avoid the risk of a lawsuit to replace the dots with laying down a chain and power pellets were changed out for TI logos.Reception
References
{{Reflist, refs= {{cite web, title=The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers, url=https://dadgum.com/giantlist 1982 video games Pac-Man clones TI-99/4A games Video games developed in the United States Texas Instruments games