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Dig Dug is an arcade game released in 1982 by Namco. A popular game based on a simple concept, it was also available as a home video game available on many consoles, and had many arcade and home clones.

1 Objective

Dig Dug's objective is to eliminate underground-dwelling monsters. This can be done by inflating them until they pop or by dropping rocks on them. There are two kinds of enemies in the game: Pooka is a round red and yellow monster who looks like a tomato wearing goggles, and Fygar is a green dragon who can breathe fire. The player's character is a digger who can make tunnels; he is killed if he is caught by a monster, burned by a Fygar's fire, or squashed by a rock.

It takes four 'pumps' with the player's action button to inflate a monster to popping. If left partially inflated, the monster will recover after a few seconds, but half-inflating is a useful way to stun an enemy, especially to make sure it remains in the path of a falling rock.

The monsters generally travel through the tunnels, but they are capable of occasionally turning into "eyes" and moving slowly through dirt.

More points are awarded for eliminating an enemy further down in the dirt, and the Fygar is worth more points if it's inflated horizontally than vertically (because it only breathes fire horizontally). "Fruit" (and other symbols, such as a Galaxian ship) occasionally appears in the center of the playfield as a bonus item, and can be collected for points if the player reaches it before it disappears.

The game has no end. The last enemy on a level will try to escape off the top left of the screen. Level numbers are represented by flowers in the top right on the screen. In successive levels, more monsters appear on each screen and they move more quickly.

2 Legacy

A sequel to this game, Dig Dug II, was much less common and met with less success in the arcades.

3 External links

• The KLOV entry on Dig Dug
• Dig Dug: Tips and History
• The KLOV entry on Dig Dug II
• Category at ODP