Mr. Driller

"An overlooked puzzle game, don't judge it until you play it."

Mr. Driller is the single most addictive game I have ever played. More addictive than Tetris, Pac-Man, Pong, or even the almighty Galaga!!! However, this game is overlooked many a time. Don't judge a game by its cover, because even though this game has the worst, most childish box art, it's definitely great fun.

Graphics: 8/10
They aren't enhanced, they aren't 3D. However, if you've been addicted to dark games like Resident Evil or Dino Crisis and the like, the bright colors will sure be a great change to your eyes.

Sound: 10/10
This game has got that cute, quirky Japanese tune to it. When you first start the game, little kids shout ''Namco'' in a light-hearted voice. When the title screen pops out, the music starts light but soon gets into a heavy bass beat. The music can get from light and cheery to dark and gloomy to Egyptian-sounding music. The only thing that's weird is that when Mr. Driller collects air capsules, it sounds like he says ''icky.''

Controls: 10/10
Controls are very simple. Up to aim your drill upwards, down to aim down, left or right to, you guessed it, walk left or right. X, Square, Triangle, and O all activate his drill. The shoulder buttons are not used. Most intuitive controls in a game go to this and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater.

Gamplay: 10/10
The gameplay is very simple. You drill blocks. If you drill a blue block that's joined to other blue blocks, all the other blue blocks disappear as well. If a block falls, and it fall next to a block of the same color, it catches on. If a block falls on top of you, you lose a life. You have an air meter that starts at 100% and goes down fairly fast. You find little air capsules that refill your air 20%. If you drill a brown block called an X-block however, your air meter automatically goes down %20. Each block is five feet tall, and you have to reach a destination of 2500 feet or 5000 feet. Very fun. In Time Attack you try to get to an area before the computer's preset time. In Survival mode, you just see how deep you can dig before you lose a life.

Rent/Buy?: At only 20-25$, this is a definite buy.

Go buy Mr. Driller. Now. If you don't, you will be sorry. I guarantee it.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/14/00, Updated 06/14/00