What color do the ghost enemies turn to once Pac-Man eats a Power Pellet?

In the classic arcade game Pac-Man, when the titular character consumes a Power Pellet, the pursuing ghosts (Review) undergo a dramatic transformation. Their original distinct colors—red (Blinky), pink (Pinky), cyan (Inky), and orange (Clyde)—instantly change to blue. This blue hue is a visual cue to the player, signaling a temporary shift in the game's dynamics.

This temporary blue state signifies the ghosts' vulnerability. During this brief period, Pac-Man, usually the one being chased, can turn the tables and "eat" the ghosts for bonus points. Once a blue ghost is eaten, only its eyes remain, quickly returning to the central "ghost house" in the maze to regenerate and rejoin the chase in their original, dangerous forms.

The introduction of Power Pellets and the ghosts' blue, vulnerable state adds a crucial strategic layer to Pac-Man's simple maze-chasing premise. It provides players with a temporary reprieve and an opportunity to clear the maze more efficiently and rack up higher scores. As the game progresses, the duration of the ghosts' blue state after a Power Pellet is eaten becomes shorter, increasing the challenge and requiring quicker decisions from the player.

This iconic game mechanic, conceived by designer Toru Iwatani, was a key element in making Pac-Man a global phenomenon. It transformed what could have been a monotonous pellet-collecting game into an engaging experience filled with moments of tension and triumph, demonstrating innovative game design for its era.