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 of the Wii's download services, so how does the old classic stand up today?
Well first things first, it can't be denied that the rudimentary sound and graphics betray the game's advanced age; we've been given the C64 port, the second version of the game after the Atari 800 original, and it's an early Commodore title at that, with none of the impressive presentation of later games like Turrican or Creatures.
The graphics are basic and functional at best; the diamonds Rockford lusts after don't look much like diamonds, and Rockford himself looks more like some kind of insectoid alien and less like the human explorer depicted on the cover (the original North American cover anyway; the European boxart was more honest in this regard). The sound too is stripped down to a series of beeps and whistles which don't make particularly good use of the C64's advanced sound hardware and become grating very quickly. That said, the offbeat theme tune, while too chaotic to be properly catchy, does have a certain awkward charm.
So if it doesn't look or sound much good, what has Boulder Dash got going for it? Well, like all the best puzzle titles, this one has a core of rock solid (pun intended) gameplay. It starts off simply enough, with a pretty basic level layout and no enemies, a gentle introduction to how the game works. Even here, though, a surprising complexity is revealed, as it becomes clear that the game is very much a battle between the player and the environment; boulders don't just fall straight down, they roll and bounce, and there are numerous ways to exploit the player's surroundings.
For example, the hostile "fireflies" (more like flashing squares of doom than insects) can be avoided as they are simple creatures with no real interest in pursuing Rockford; but if one of the insects is crushed by a falling boulder, the resulting explosion can clear away parts of the level that Rockford cannot affect directly himself. The later butterflies and amoebas have even more surprising traits which I'll leave you to discover. The game is not sedate, either; as well as the time limit, the levels are always in flux, with the player's movements loosening rocks, setting creatures free to roam, and so on. It is rarely a good idea to hang around in this game.
All in all, Boulder Dash is not one of the better presented Commodore 64 titles so far released on the Virtual Console, and even a die-hard C64 fan like myself has to admit that the NES version would have been a more attractive prospect, but one can't deny the strength of the gameplay. Anyone who picks up the game will find themselves devoting hours to discovering the most efficient and impressive ways to complete the levels, and for that reason alone Boulder Dash is well worth the price of a download.
1. KeeperBvK
19 Sep 2008, 00:23 GMT
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 GMT
Excellent release and a classic C64 game, the sound effects bring back fond memories
3. Tony
19 Sep 2008, 10:31 GMT
@ 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 GMT
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 GMT
The first is still the best... Atari and then C64 version.
6. Mr. Cheez
19 Sep 2008, 16:18 GMT
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 GMT
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 GMT
@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 GMT
@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 GMT
@Kelvin: thanks! I'll definitely consider this one, then, since I know that the formula works.
11. Betagam7
20 Sep 2008, 12:47 GMT
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 GMT
This is similar to http://www.greenface.de/
But this C64 Game costs only 5 euro.
13. Kafei2006
22 Sep 2008, 16:09 GMT
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 GMT
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 GMT
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 GMT
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 GMT
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
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