"The best game ever."

Oh, how I wanted to give this game a 10 million. This game rules. I shove 30 bucks into it at the arcades even now. When I spot this true gem in the arcades, I almost cry in joy. I run, not walk, mind you, to the game, shove quarters into it, and have mad fun. I would marry this game if I could. Is that legal? Can someone be married to an arcade game? By golly, if it were, you’d see me at the altar with this beauty standing next to me. They do not need to make a special next-gen port of this game, as they would probably butcher it and ruin the wonderful name that is Dig Dug. Wait, maybe not. If they knew what they were doing, they could probably make it as good as the arcade. Dig Dug on GameCube, I say! Dig Dug on Xbox! Dig Dug on every damn system in the world! 128-bits of Dig Dug goodness… drool.

’Tis a truly wonderful story for a truly wonderful game.
Um, no. The Greatness that is Dig Dug has no story, but that does not keep it down.
STORY SCORE (NA)

For this is the best game I have ever played!
The gameplay is simple, yet unbelievably entertaining and addicting. As Dig Dug, the title character, you travel underground and blow up creatures. Dig Dug’s weapon is a wonder, since it is an odd cross between a hookshot and a pump that I would take over any bazooka any day! As you travel underground, you come across the aforementioned creatures called Pookas and Fygars. The mean thing about these creatures is their ability to “ghost” through walls. When they do so, they become a floating evil face and go to the nearest dug tunnel to chase Dig Dug. The Pookas are relatively weak, as they only move back and forth and present not much of a threat. The Fygars, on the other hand, are mean mother truckers. The dragon-like Fygar spits a mean blast of fire with big range that is capable of roasting the loveable and super cool Dig Dug. Surprisingly, these monsters are smart. When there is only one monster left, it makes a mad dash to the surface in an attempt to escape. You can either let him go or blow him up, your choice. Dig Dug uses the super cool pump and inflates the bastards till they pop, gaining him some sweet points. The super pump isn’t the only thing our superhero has to destroy the Pookas and Fygars. Deep underground are rocks, of course. When Dig Dug digs a tunnel under the rock(s), the rock falls through the dirt and crushes anything under it. If you use this wisely, you are able to smush bad guys and get even more points then if you simply blew them up. As an added bonus, drop two rocks in a level to get a special food bonus you grab for even MORE points. The gameplay never gets repetitive, never gets old, and never gets frustrating. Too bad you cannot say that for most of the games out today…
GAMEPLAY SCORE (10/10)

Astounding classic graphics and good detail.
The game is a classic, and it has the classic graphics, of course. These classic graphics make the game all the more enjoyable. The characters such as Pooka, Dig Dug, and Fygar are look good and are fairly detailed, which surprised me when I first played. As you make your way deeper underground, the dirt grows darker and darker, simulating as it would in real life. Above ground flowers bloom and the sky is blue, and the great graphics in Dig Dug will simply move you!
GRAPHICS SCORE (10/10)

Were the sounds recorded by an orchestra?
The simple tune plays throughout all the levels, but will not get on your nerves. I have found myself humming this simple tune over and over. The sound effects are simple, yet brilliant. A melodic ting accompanies the pump flying out, and you hear little dinks as you pump the bad guy up till he explodes. When the little bastard explodes, you hear a great sound that cannot be described in simple words. When Dig Dug is in danger, a decidedly more nervous and frantic tune plays. This tune makes you sweat and does what it sets out to do, which is to make you nervous.
AUDIO SCORE (10/10)

Simply brilliant.
Control is wonderful. Using the great joystick, you maneuver Dig Dug. The button is used for the pumping of the evil monsters. Simply brilliant.
CONTROL SCORE (10/10)

The world’s best game has the world’s best fun factor.
I have a blast playing this. You’ll shove over 20 bucks in this gem. The simple, beautiful gameplay keeps you coming back for more. To make it even better, the game is addicting as hell. This game is the embodiment of two things: fun and classic. This is the world’s best game. Ever.
FUN FACTOR (10/10)

When you put your first quarter in, be amazed at how your 20 bucks will slowly turn to 2.
I spend 20 bucks in this game. In fact, whenever I go to an arcade that has this game, I make sure only to bring 20 bucks. I know I will waste more then 20 bucks if I came with more. The “beat your own score” thing never gets old, and it is great to have your name number one on the top ten list for 5 years. (This holds true for me. I got the highest score and I have held it for 5 years.)
REPLAY SCORE (10/10)

NOTES:
This is not a joke review.
If this wins ROTW, I’ll spank my ass and call myself Charlie.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/29/01, Updated 11/21/01