Dig Dug

The Good
Its "simplistic" genius.

The Bad
Oh come on now :-P

The Bottom Line
This action game is the PC version of an Atari’s coin-op under the same name. We, as Dig Dug, are to exterminate all the parasites that infest the soil of our garden and threaten our flowers. Our equipment is a white astronaut-like uniform, a drill and a pump. The vermin includes two species, Pookas and Fygars. Pookas are basically overgrown tomatoes with sunglasses, while the more dangerous Fygars are small, fire exhaling, dragons.

We travel underground, opening tunnels with our drill, in order to meet the heathens and pump them to death. The little rascals do not need the tunnels to move around, they can travel through the soil and chase us. The last one alive will always cowardly try to flee the stage before we reach it. Apart from the creatures, the soil contains some rocks. When we pass under them they start to tremble and eventually fall a moment later, preferably on our enemies heads. This way of dealing with the invaders offers us more points. Other point-offering activities are the mere digging of the soil and the collecting of vegetables that appear when two rocks have fallen down. Points are important because they bring us closer to the extra lives that become available with the reaching of certain scores.

The graphics are designed with four colors, but they are still cute and funny. A jolly tune is playing in the background and several nice sound effects can be heard. But, like in all the great games of the age of innocence, the technical field is of secondary importance here. It is all about entertainment, addictive gameplay and high replay value. “Dig Dug” excels in all the above and it is one of the greatest representatives of its time. A joyful experience recommended for everyone.

(The game does not need slowing down. “Ctrl” is Sound off, “Num Lock” is Pause, “F2” is Exit)