Dig Dug
The player-controlled hero, who uses an air pump, a harpoon, and collapsing terrain to defeat monsters.
Documented for this version
D-pad | Move Dig Dug |
|---|---|
A | Use the air pump |
B | Fire the harpoon |
Start | Pause the game |
How it plays
The game uses a top-down view of an island divided by paths and vulnerable coastline. Dig Dug moves through the stage, attacks enemies, and tries to destroy all of them before proceeding.
The pump inflates enemies until they burst, while the harpoon provides a direct attack from a distance. Digging opens routes through soft ground, and striking weak points along the shore can collapse an island section. The main progression is stage by stage, with enemy pressure and layout hazards increasing over time.
Plan your run
Keep moving around the island instead of allowing enemies to surround Dig Dug. Use the harpoon when an enemy is approaching in a clear line, and reserve pumping for situations where you have room to retreat.
Watch the coastline before triggering a collapse. A well-timed break can defeat several enemies at once, but careless terrain destruction can also remove useful routes and leave Dig Dug exposed.
Meet the cast
The player-controlled hero, who uses an air pump, a harpoon, and collapsing terrain to defeat monsters.
A round red enemy that pursues Dig Dug across the island.
A dragon-like enemy that can breathe fire toward Dig Dug.
Before you begin
Use narrow paths to keep enemies lined up for the harpoon.
Attack Fygar from the side or rear when possible, avoiding its fire.
Plan an escape route before inflating an enemy.
Dig Dug II: Trouble in Paradise is an arcade-style action game developed and published by Namco for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It follows Dig Dug as he protects small island landscapes from invading monsters. Unlike the original game, the action takes place on connected islands rather than entirely underground mazes, combining surface movement with limited digging and terrain destruction. Each stage asks the player to eliminate every enemy before moving on. Dig Dug can inflate monsters with his pump or use a harpoon, while sections of coastline can be collapsed to defeat enemies. The game retains the direct, score-focused design of its predecessor. Its reception has generally emphasized its distinctive island mechanics and faithful arcade character, though its compact stages and unforgiving enemy behavior can feel demanding.
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