Originally released in 1984, Boulder Dash is well-known as one of the greats of the classic era of computer games. It is one of the very few computer games ever to be ported from home computers to arcades, rather than the other way around.

The hero of the game is the brave prospector Rockford. His mission: to dig through caves collecting diamonds. But it's not as easy as it might seem! Rockford must stay constantly on the lookout for various types of dangerous creatures and obstacles, like falling rocks, which threaten his underground mission. He is in constant danger of being crushed or trapped by an avalanche, or being killed by an underground explosion. Read More »

Strategy and planning are the key to mastering the "physics" of Boulder Dash. Once the indicated amount of Jewels have been collected, the door to the mysterious escape tunnel is revealed, and Rockford can pass through into another cave, filled with precious stones and dangerous traps! So what are you waiting for? The diamond rush is upon us!

Review

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 by Kelvin Green

Oh Boulder Dash!

Boulder Dash is a fondly-remembered classic and was so popular back in the day that it spawned umpteen sequels and numerous ports and remakes which continue to appear even today. It was perhaps inevitable that the game would appear in some capacity on one..

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User Comments

1. KeeperBvK 19 Sep 2008, 00:23 BST

Yay, Boulder Dash was great. Or at least the GB version was. Dunno about the C64 version, but according to the rating it can't be that bad either.

2. D00M 19 Sep 2008, 08:58 BST

Excellent release and a classic C64 game, the sound effects bring back fond memories

3. Tony 19 Sep 2008, 10:31 BST

@ Kelvin
I never knew there was an NES version of this game. Was it released in the US?

4. Bass X0 19 Sep 2008, 10:59 BST

The NES game was my first and pretty much my only version of Boulderdash (I believe I played some free version too I think at some time). The first two worlds were enjoyable but then it got really hard.

5. Mayhem 19 Sep 2008, 13:43 BST

The first is still the best... Atari and then C64 version.

6. Ricardo91 19 Sep 2008, 16:18 BST

Aw Man! Retro Gamer had a whole article on the history of Boulder Dash, and it sounds like an awesome game. Reminds me of Dig Dug. But we can't play this version cuz America doesn't get C64 games, and I don't think my cell phone is capatible with the mobile versions.

With any luck, we might see the NES version pop up in American Wii shops sometime. I sure hope so.

7. Wiiloveit 19 Sep 2008, 18:14 BST

This looks very much like the PSone Net Yaroze game Rocks n Gems. If anyone knows what I'm talking about, could you tell me if that and this are just about the same and how this compares? kthxbi

8. Kelvin 19 Sep 2008, 21:55 BST

@Tony: I can't be sure, but I believe the NES version was indeed released in the US.

@WiiloveitOnline: Yes, Rocks n Gems is essentially a Boulder Dash clone. I think there are some minor differences, but if you liked the PS1 game, you should enjoy this.

9. 7th lutz 19 Sep 2008, 22:33 BST

@Tony,

The Nes version of Boulder Dash was released in the U.S. I have a copy of it.

10. Wiiloveit 20 Sep 2008, 10:32 BST

@Kelvin: thanks! I'll definitely consider this one, then, since I know that the formula works.

11. Betagam7 20 Sep 2008, 12:47 BST

I'll take a C64 version over a NES version anyday due to the fact that Nintendo makes no effort to PAL optimise its NES games.

12. JamesMcCloud 21 Sep 2008, 18:54 BST

This is similar to http://www.greenface.de/
But this C64 Game costs only 5 euro.

13. Kafei2006 22 Sep 2008, 16:09 BST

too bad i still own the original C64 version, otherwise i'd have downloaded it. I still own boulder dash 1 & 2 for my C64. I prefer by far the second one. If this one was to be released on VC, i'd download it even if i still own the original.

14. Tony 22 Sep 2008, 16:27 BST

Good to know There were so many NES games I guess I never paid attention to this. Maybe the VC can rectify that mistake. I like the goofy character on the front. Its so 1980's looking.

15. evilralfwiggum 29 Sep 2008, 08:43 BST

i am still waiting for C64 to be available for the US VC. _ lol..is there a reason why it's not happening? I would like to download a few C64 games...lol dreams about Jumpman and Boulder Dash...

16. WiiMan192 04 Oct 2008, 21:58 BST

Yeah, I'd like C64 games, too. Australia (and New Zealand, I didn't forget about you guys) are considered part of Europe concerning video games, yet we haven't got them either! [We haven't got SPOGS racing (WiiWare) but we got Axelay as opposed to Europe, but that's beside the point]

_{dreams that Caveman Ughlympics came to AUS VC}

17. superakoso 15 Oct 2008, 22:04 BST

i need download =/

18. Corbie 28 Oct 2008, 00:57 GMT

I've got a lot of fond memories of playing this game on my Commodore 64 back in the day. One of the greats of the Commodore 64 era indeed.

19. Kurachi 02 Nov 2008, 09:21 GMT

i played it on nes, was fun for a puzzle game
not sure if i had it on C64, cuz i were very young back then
4/5
nice times back then on nes, but its same game isnt it? at least same style
i remember that slimey enemy, have to lock it up to get diamonds
i think the first level was to learn how it works, nice job by nintendo

20. Mr 64 04 Jun 2009, 07:58 BST

Boulderdash is rock hard, if you pardon the pun. Although it has similarities to Dig Dug it's not really anything like it. I never really got into it to be honest!

21. Capt N 05 Jun 2009, 22:33 BST

I should d/l this soon. looks fun. I remember playing w/ my fam's C64 back in the 80's.

22. MattL 29 Jul 2009, 17:06 BST

@ Capt N - Same here, I remember it being very challenging but extremely fun Think I'll get this and Impossible Mission next.

23. Kurachi 07 Aug 2009, 13:59 BST

hmm after watching and listening:
i dont remember playing this one (C64 version), but i do remember that music from the nes (i think)
maybe i'll gte this one later, its really nice having something of the past, and in this case something i dont remember playing