Rockford
The player-controlled cave explorer who digs through soil, collects diamonds, avoids hazards, and reaches the exit.
Documented for this version
Which controls does this version use?
Actions
Arrow Up | Move Rockford upward |
|---|---|
Arrow Down | Move Rockford downward |
Arrow Left | Move Rockford left |
Arrow Right | Move Rockford right |
Start | Pause or resume the game |
How it plays
How does Boulder Dash play?
Each cave is viewed from a fixed top-down perspective. Rockford moves through dirt, opens passages, collects diamonds, and searches for the exit. The exit opens only after the required number of diamonds has been gathered.
Boulders fall when their supporting space is removed. Fireflies and butterflies move through open areas and can kill Rockford, while amoebas expand under suitable conditions. Levels are timed, and progression depends on completing caves rather than earning experience or improving statistics.
Plan your run
What is the best way to play Boulder Dash?
Study the cave before committing to a route. Clear only the dirt needed to create safe corridors, because removing support can send boulders onto Rockford or seal an exit.
Collect diamonds in an order that preserves a retreat path. Use boulders and enemy movement to open routes when necessary, and leave enough time to reach the exit after the quota is met. If a cave becomes unwinnable, restart early rather than spending the remaining timer on a trapped position.
Meet the cast
Who are the key characters?
Fireflies
Dangerous enemies that move through open areas and can kill Rockford on contact.
Butterflies
Enemies with movement behavior similar to fireflies; they are hazardous to touch and can interact with nearby cave objects.
Amoebas
Expanding organisms that spread through available space and can eventually obstruct routes or interact with boulders.
Before you begin
What should you know before playing?
- 1
Watch the spaces beneath boulders before digging beside them.
- 2
Keep a route back to open ground while collecting the final diamonds.
- 3
Use the timer as a planning constraint, not merely as a speed challenge.
Community discussion
What are players saying? 0