Dig Dug
| Dig Dug | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Dig Dug Retail Packaging | |
| Publisher(s) | Atarisoft |
| Original Retail Price | $44.95 (USD)[1] [2] |
| Programmer(s) | James G. Landowski |
| Part# | RX 8509 |
| Format(s) | Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module |
| Release | 1983 (4th quarter)[3] [4] |
| Genre(s) | Action, Maze |
Dig Dug is an Action/Maze game created by Atarisoft for the TI-99/4A home computer system. It was released on Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module cartridge during the fourth quarter of 1983. It was programmed for the TI-99/4A by James G. Landowski. The original retail price for Dig Dug on TI-99/4A was $49.95 (USD).
Contents
Gameplay
The player in the Dig Dug, plays the character by the same name. The objective is to destroy enemies on each screen. The enemies are called Pookas, red tomato-like creatures with large goggles, and Fygars, green, fire-breathing dragons. Dig Dug can destroy enemies in one of two ways: 1. Using a pump to expand them, causing them to explode, and 2. By crushing them under large boulders in the maze itself. The player can earn bonus points by squashing more than one enemy under a rock at the same time, or by dropping two rocks in a stage, after which a bonus item appears in the middle of a screen which gives the player bonus points once collected.
Enemies have the ability to travel through the solid soil to approach Dig Dug, and while so doing, appear only as the enemy's eyes. Partially inflated enemies pose no threat to Dig Dug allowing the player to pass through them unharmed. When Dig Dug moves, a short musical jingle plays, which stops when the player stops moving. The enemies move faster as each level progresses, so it's critical that the player clear each level as quickly as possible. The number of flowers in the upper right-hand portion of the screen indicated the level the player is currently on. The color of the dirt layers changes color as levels progress.
Advertising Blurb (From Back of Retail Packaging)
Dodging and blasting Pookas, and dropping rocks on fire-breathing Fygars; Dig Dug burrows his way through a maze of subterranean paths. Ripe fruits and veggies, loaded with points, are his passion. But the evil denizens of the underground pack a potentially lethal wallop, and can hide behind fruits. Even when Dig Dug kills them they may come back as Ghosts. Ghosts don't need tunnels and are harder to kill. Luckily, when the chips are down, they turn out to be cowards. . . and worth points.
Manual
Load the Dig Dug cartridge into your Tl 99/4A Home Computer, as explained in your computer owner's guide, and turn on your computer. Plug the Joystick Controllers into the Controller Jack.
Select Player Options
Press the FIRE button on your joystick or the ENTER key to get the Option Menu. Be sure the ALPHA LOCK key is up.
Start Game
Press the FIRE button on your joystick or the ENTER key again to start the game. Each time Dig Dug finishes a round, he moves to the next higher level. Press the Space Bar to pause during a game. Press the Space Bar again to resume play.
Difficulty Level
Press the Plus key to select the level of difficulty.
Downloads
Dig Dug Cartridge
Dig Dug Manual Front Cover
Dig Dug Box (front)
Dig Dug Box (back)
Dig Dug Manual Complete (pdf format)
Dig Dug MAME/MESS Rom (rpk format)
Atarisoft Warranty Card (pdf format)
Atarisoft Questionnaire Card
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