About Dig Dug
Dig Dug is a classic arcade puzzle game where players control the character Dig Dug as he digs tunnels to defeat underground monsters. By inflating them with a pump or crushing them with rocks, players work to clear each level of enemies while avoiding being trapped themselves.
Developer & Publisher:
Dig Dug was developed by Namco and published in North America by Midway Manufacturing. The game was designed by Toru Iwatani, who is also known for creating Pac-Man.
Levels:
In Dig Dug, players control the character Dig Dug, who must dig through the earth to defeat enemies by either inflating them until they explode or by dropping rocks on top of them. The game has a series of levels with increasingly difficult enemies and tighter layouts. The basic goal is to clear each level by defeating all the enemies. The game features a variety of unique levels with different layouts, but the primary enemies encountered are: Pookas – Red, round creatures that move around the tunnels. Fygars – Dragon-like creatures that fly and can breathe fire. Each level features a set of tunnels and rocks that can be used as traps or obstacles. There are no traditional level names, but the layout changes as you progress. Players need to carefully navigate the tunnels to avoid enemies and strategically use the rocks and their inflatable pump to eliminate threats.
High Scores:
Dig Dug uses a traditional arcade scoring system. Players earn points by inflating enemies until they pop, with higher scores awarded for inflating multiple enemies at once or dropping rocks on them. A player’s score is also affected by how quickly they clear each level and how efficiently they handle their limited resources (time and space).
Legacy:
Dig Dug became an iconic part of the arcade game lineup and was praised for its unique gameplay mechanics and colorful graphics. The game was a commercial success and received positive reviews for its engaging, strategic gameplay. Its influence extended beyond the arcade with ports to various home consoles, including the Atari 2600, NES, and Game Boy. The character of Dig Dug himself has become part of Namco’s roster of iconic characters, appearing in several Namco Museum compilations and crossovers with other Namco characters in games like Namco All-Stars. Dig Dug’s influence can still be seen in many modern puzzle and strategy-based games that involve mechanics of digging, positioning, and defeating enemies in a contained environment.