Dig Dug (C64)
A downloadable game
This game is a C64 port of Dig Dug, an arcade game developed by Namco in 1982.
This version includes the levels from the original arcade game. There are therefore 15 different levels of which the last 4 are repeated until reaching level 256 (the kill screen). If, however, you are interested in a less repetitive and therefore more stimulating version of the game, try Dig Dug Revival, where the levels are procedurally generated and are always different from each other and from game to game. You can download it from https://lowcarb.itch.io/dig-dug-revival-c64.
The game runs perfectly on both PAL and NTSC models of the Commodore 64.
Gameplay
Dig Dug is a maze video game. Controlling the titular character, the player's objective is to eliminate the enemies on each screen; these being Pookas, red tomato-like creatures with comically large goggles, and Fygars, green dragons that can breathe fire. Dig Dug can defeat these enemies by using a bike pump to inflate them with air until they explode, or by crushing them under large falling rocks. Bonus points are awarded for squashing multiple enemies with a single rock, and dropping two rocks in a round will cause a bonus item to appear in the middle of the screen, which can be eaten for points. Once all the enemies have been defeated, Dig Dug will progress to the next round.
The enemies can travel through solid dirt to reach the player, where only their eyes will be shown. Inflated enemies pose no threat to the player, allowing Dig Dug to pass through them without harm.
The game will play a short jingle when Dig Dug moves, abruptly stopping when he becomes idle.
If the player takes too long to clear a round, the enemies will become faster and much more aggressive, indicated by a short jingle.
Later rounds feature variations in the color of the dirt, while increasing the movement speed of the enemies.
At 20000 points and then every 50000 points (70000 for the Expert difficulty level; 90000 for the Master difficulty level), the player earns an extra life, for a maximum of 7 lives.
Options
There are 5 difficulty levels to choose from: Easy, Normal, Hard, Expert, Master.
Controls
| Joystick lever | Move Dig Dug |
| Fire button | Use pump |
| F7 | Pause |
| F1 | Stop game and return to title screen |
| F1 | Reset ranking (while the top scores are displayed) |
Joystick in port 2.
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Comments
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I wanted to say how great dig dug is on the c64. I do find it harder to play than the arcade version as there seems to be a mechanic missing. The arcade version as I remember allowed you to dig close to edge of a small cave/trench from top/bottom/left or right of a cave and fire the harpoon through the thin wall to inflate the bad guys. This leaves a thin wall to stop a second bad guy in the same cave from getting to you. So this version only allows you to inflate a bad guy if you dig and open a cave and let the creatures out. Lol I only mention it as I find it hard, maybe it’s just me getting old. Anyway I just wanted to thank you for writing for the c64, please keep up the great work. Thank you.
I am perfectly aware of the fact that in the original arcade version it is possible to throw the pump through thin walls, but personally I have always considered this behavior a sort of bug or something not perfectly defined, and therefore I decided to fix it. Regarding the general difficulty of the game, I can assure you that the arcade version remains far more difficult. If you had the opportunity to try it with MAME, you would realize it.
Anyway, thanks for liking the game and letting me know.
I do play the MAME version and I find it easier to play because of the mechanic of wall shooting. I guess I just got used to it since playing in the arcades when it first released. I personally always thought it was a feature of the arcade game, but thanks for explaining why your version doesn’t do it. This by no means takes away from your version it’s excellent. As are your other games, e.g.PAC Man and Random PAC. Personally I think Random PAC is the best PAC Man game I have played, I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys PAC Man.
Future game request: I would love to see your version of space invaders for c64. With an option to play the different versions I played in arcades as a kid. If I remember correctly the first version I played the Aliens were white and so was the base. Then I remember white invaders and green base. Final there was a version with coloured clear plastic strips so the invaders were different colours on different lines. If you ever had spare time to create this it would be the ultimate version of space invaders. Wow I hate to think how much time I played invaders.
Please keep turning out c64 games and thank you for creating games that we all can play and enjoy in the modern age.
First of all, thank you for liking my games and letting me know.
Regarding Space Invaders, I've put it on the wish list but I can't guarantee anything because there are so many things I already have to do.
Don't you think that this version of Space Invaders https://csdb.dk/release/?id=201686 is good enough?
It’s not bad, but I find the sound effects off, to high frequency and my ears don’t like it. Also the delay rate you can fire is to slow, I find it annoying I can’t fire fast enough. The graphics are very good though. It is the best version I have seen on the c64 but I was hoping for better.
Nice game. I’m busy to port some Commodore 64 games to the mega65; dig dug is on my list. If I need some advice can I contact you via a PM?
Thank you in advance
Regards,
Dutchcruncher
Feel free to write to me at my email address if necessary.
HI LC-games,
you replied to me to contact you via e-mail.
However where can I find your e-mail address.
Kind regards,
Guido
ps: just back from holiday therefore a late reply.
You can find my address in the credits of any of my games.
found it, I will send you an e-mail tomorrow.
Have a good night.
kind regards,
Guido
I'm not a massive Dig Dug fan (more of a Mr. Do! guy myself) but I won't lie and say this is a bad port, because it's not. Good job.
Thanx for appreciating!
Very good arcade conversion, thank you. I also added that to my New Games On C64 from January 2024 -video too.
Thank you so much!
Very nice arcade conversion, as always from you. Our German-language review can be found at 02:06:50. 🙂
Thanks one more time!
Very Good Conversion👍
K&A Plus like your games 😁
Greetings
Retro Chlop ✌️😎
Thanks for appreciating and for the video!
Nice game !
Thank you so much!
Let’s have H.E.R.O. Revival next!!
To tell the truth, they've asked me several times but it's not in the plans, at least not for the moment.
I played Dig Dug und Dig Dug Revival multiple hours. I love this game. The whole family love this game.
One question I have always in mind is that I thought the dragon is able to blast the fire though a small peace of ground. Yesterday I saw an arcade (I think not an original one) and I was able to confirm that the dragen was able to blast the fire through the ground.
Is it planed to change the behaviour in your version or am I wrong and the fire is not able to fire through.
First of all, thank you for liking the game.
Yes, you're right, in the original version the dragons are able to breathe fire beyond thin walls but in my versions I avoided this behavior which I don't consider correct, because in my opinion if there is a wall, however thin, nothing should pass through it.
Nice. It would be cool if all these games offered original and new levels in one game (file).
Sorry but it was my very specific choice to create distinct versions for the arcade levels and the procedurally generated levels. Let's say I consider Dig Dug Revival the sequel to Dig Dug.
Thank you very much for all your efforts. I love the old arcade classics and your versions outdo the originals from back in the day on the C64. I especially love the versions you release with extra levels and feature. Top notch! Thanks Again!
I'm really happy that you appreciate my work! Thank you!
Superb!
Happy to hear that!
Good job, thanks for making games on this platform!
https://c64universe.wordpress.com/2024/01/04/dig-dug-2024-lc-games/
Thank you so much.
Another great game, fantastic effort
Glad you like it!
Awesome!
Thanks one more time!
Nice job !
I'm glad you apprecciate!