Fender just released a Telecaster that belongs in an arcade

Fender has teamed up with Bandai Namco Entertainment to produce a limited-edition Pac-Man Player II Telecaster, bringing the graphics of the 1980 arcade classic to one of the most storied guitars in rock history.

The collaboration arrives as the Telecaster marks its 75th year in production, a milestone Fender has been celebrating with a run of special releases.

The Pac-Man edition wraps the arcade game’s imagery across the body and fingerboard, with the four ghosts — Blinky, Inky, Pinky and Clyde — appearing across the finish alongside the game’s signature dot graphics.

Underneath the livery, the guitar is a standard Player II Telecaster.

“A collision of two cultural forces that have shaped generations,” said Justin Norvell, Fender’s chief product officer.

The Pac-Man Telecaster is priced at $1,099 / £949 and is available now. 

Given that the Telecaster counts Keith Richards, Joe Strummer and Chrissie Hynde among its alumni, the addition of Pac-Man to that roster is either the most absurd or most logical thing Fender has ever done.

Possibly both.