Rockford
The cave explorer who digs through dirt, collects diamonds, and escapes falling boulders and enemies.
Documented for this version
Which controls does this version use?
Actions
Joystick Up | Move Rockford upward |
|---|---|
Joystick Down | Move Rockford downward |
Joystick Left | Move Rockford left |
Joystick Right | Move Rockford right |
Control notes
The game uses a Commodore 64 joystick for movement.
No separate attack command is used; digging and object interaction occur through movement.
How it plays
How does Boulder Dash play?
Each cave is viewed from above as a grid of diggable earth, empty spaces, rocks, gems, creatures, and an exit. Rockford moves through the earth, gathers the required diamonds, and opens the exit when the target is met.
Boulders fall when the spaces beneath them are cleared. They can crush Rockford, trigger chain reactions, or be used to destroy creatures. Caves are organized into difficulty levels with a time limit, and later layouts demand more precise digging, timing, and manipulation of falling objects.
Plan your run
What is the best way to play Boulder Dash?
Plan a route before digging into a large area. Clear enough earth beneath boulders to make them fall, but avoid opening a path that lets a whole stack collapse onto Rockford.
- Watch the timer, but do not rush into an unrecoverable tunnel.
- Use boulders and creature reactions to clear obstacles when possible.
- Collect diamonds in a safe order and leave a route back to open space.
- Treat butterflies and fireflies as hazards unless a deliberate chain reaction is planned.
Meet the cast
Who are the key characters?
Before you begin
What should you know before playing?
- 1
Learn how far boulders can fall before committing to a tunnel.
- 2
Keep escape routes open when working below or beside rocks.
- 3
The exit becomes useful only after the required diamonds are collected.
Community discussion
What are players saying? 0