Released April 19, 1982 · consists of 28 releases.
Dig dug is an arcade game released in 1982. The objective is to kill the underground monsters by either squishing them under a rock through the tunnels you create or by popping them using your weapon directly.
| First release date | April 19, 1982 |
| Platform | Game Boy Advance , Apple II , Commodore 64 , MSX , Nintendo Entertainment System , Atari 8-bit , VIC-20 , Atari 2600 , TI-99/4A , Intellivision , Atari 5200 , Atari 7800 , Arcade , Xbox 360 Games Store , Wii Shop , Famicom Disk System , PC , Sharp X68000 , iPhone , NEC PC-8801 , Sharp X1 , FM-7 , NEC PC-6001 , Wii U , Xbox One , PlayStation 4 , Casio PV-1000 , Nintendo Switch |
| Developer | Namco , Realtime Associates, Inc. , General Computer Corporation , Atari |
| Publisher | Bandai Namco Entertainment , INTV , Atari , Namco , HAMSTER Corporation |
| Genre | Action |
| Theme | Fantasy |
| Franchises | Dig Dug , ARCADE GAME SERIES , Arcade Archives |
| Aliases |
You play as Dig Dug (who is also known as Taizo Hori in other games that he appears in), a pump wielding spelunker who faces several enemies while he digs underground. The object of each level (or board) is to clear it of all of the enemies before they kill you by walking to within a set distance and pushing the button to fill the up with air until they explode. Another more strategic way to dispatch your enemies would be to dig underneath boulders that are located on each level and drop them on to to enemies that are below them. It could be argued that this was one of the first major acts of violence in a video game, but due to it's cartoon like nature it was probably overlooked at the time. The original game was released into arcades by Namco in 1982, and contained the standard (at the time) of 256 levels before you reached a "kill screen" and the game either froze up or reset itself.
Another source of scoring points throughout the game is the inclusion of a fruit or item in the center of the screen that would appear after dropping two of the levels boulders. This mechanic is very similar to another Namco game series, Pac-Man. The boulders did not have to drop on enemies for the fruits to appear however. The bonus items include : Carrot, Turnip, Zucchini (or Cucumber), Eggplant, Green Pepper, Tomato, Garlic, Watermelon, Pineapple, as well as the inclusion of a Warship from Namco's Galaxian.
Pooka: Best described as a round orange ball with aviator goggles, Pooka is the most common enemy that you will face in the game. Not as overly aggressive as his counter part, he as well as Fygar still has the ability to pass through the un-dug parts of the dirt in each level to attack you from any angle.
Fygar: A dragon-like creature, not only can he pass through the dirt and attack you but also has the ability to breathe fire, making him a decidedly more difficult and deadly enemy.
Dig-Dug is considered to be a classic and has spawned many sequels and has appeared on many compilations and game download services since its initial release. The character of DIg-Dug also has a son named Susumu Hori ( that appears in the Mr. Driller series), continuing the family legacy of digging to the depths of the earth.
Downloading and playing the demo of the XBLA version unlocks a Gamerpic.
When the Game Boy version was released in 1993 Electronic Gaming Monthly awarded the game scores of 6,6,6, and 5. They stated, "...the game play is intact and the graphics are decent for GB standards. A few new features [are] thrown in for a little variety and you have a solid little GB cart that's great for long road trips".
Specific release details
|
Arcade Game Series: Dig Dug |
| Platform | Xbox One |
| Region | United States |
| Developer | Namco |
| Publisher | Bandai Namco Entertainment |
| Release date | N/A |
| Product code | None |
| Company code | None |
| Rating | ESRB: E |
| Minimum Players | 1 |
| Maximum Players | N/A |
| Resolutions | N/A |
| Sound Systems | N/A |
| Single player Features | N/A |
| Multi player Features | N/A |
| Widescreen Support | No |
| Notes | N/A |
Relate to Dig Dug
Video Game Anthology vol. 12: Dig Dug/Dig Dug II
Compilation of two Dig Dug games
Dig Dug: Digging Strike
Dig Dug Digging Strike is an all new game combining elements of both classic arcade titles Dig Dug and Dig Dug II. It uses the top DS screen for above ground (Dig Dug II style) and the lower DS screen for underground. (Dig Dug style)
Dig Dug Deeper
Dig Dug Deeper is a 3D remake of the original 1982 arcade game Dig Dug.
Dig! Dig! Haniwa!
A kindergarten boy in love with his teacher tries to win her affection by digging up haniwa.
Dig Dug II: Trouble in Paradise
The official sequel to Namco's coin op classic Dig Dug. It was originally released in arcades and later ported to the NES and Famicom Disk System. It is a major departure from the original and is often seen as being far inferior.
Dig It!
A side-scrolling platformer where the player controls a man called Dug who must jump and shoot his way through a horde of anthropomorphic lizards to rescue his beloved Dugette.
The Dig
A classic sci-fi adventure game from LucasArts and Steven Spielberg, using the SCUMM engine.
