Arcade / Arcade - Boulder Dash · 1987
Boulder Dash
Published by Prism Leisure Corporation · Developed by First Star Software
atarimania.com — atari-400-800-xl-xe-games-boulder-dash-6035
Information
- Genre
- Arcade - Boulder Dash
- Language
- Machine Language
- Controls
- Joystick, Keyboard
- Players
- 1, 2 (alt.), Demo
- Programmer(s)
- Gray, Chris, Liepa, Peter
- Graphic Artist(s)
- Liepa, Peter
- Sound
- Liepa, Peter
- Cover Artist(s)
- [unknown]
- Year
- 1987
- Publisher
- Prism Leisure Corporation
- Developer
- First Star Software
- Country
- United Kingdom
- License
- Commercial
- Medium
- Tape
- Rarity
- 6
- Serial
- -
Votes / Statistics
Rating: 8.6/10 · Votes: 4,706 · Downloads: 0 · Hits: 8,169
Additional Comments
Cover Art (2)
Instructions (2)
Book / Magazine Reviews (1)
Electronic Games · September, 1984
This crusty little cave creature not only blinks his eyes randomly in a very life-like manner, but he even prompts gamers who are too slow on the stick by tapping his foot impatiently when left alone too long. His reminders aren't in vain, though, because each turn is a race against the clock to collect all the jewels on each screen, then find the exit door and go on to the next level.
Little Rockford's job is to dig through 16 different playfields of soft, boulder-strewn earth filled with the glittering diamonds. Any time he dislodges a boulder (by either moving or digging directly beneath it), the rock falls until it reaches solid ground. Rockford can outrun any falling boulder - as long as he doesn't hesitate. If he's caught by a rock, or even by a jewel dislodged from its place, he loses a turn. It's also possible to be trapped on all sides by unmovable rocks. When this happens, press the ESCAPE key to reset the screen.
Most screens require advance planning to keep from blocking off the escape door with piled-up boulders, and even at the easiest of five difficulty levels, it's no small feat. Loosing the bottommost rock in a group creates an appropriate landslide of falling debris, animated realistically and with good sound effects.
Boulder Dash's only weak point lies in its instruction book. Completely devoid of illustration, it doesn't help gamers figure out that the flashing squares are dangerous fireflies, for example, or which walls can be broken through with boulders. The rule book also doesn't explain how to break walls. Still, devoted dashers will eventually surmount this problem through the "thrill of discovery" method.
The program itself has plenty of user-friendly goodies that keep players from getting bored too quickly. Before starting the game, a player can use the joystick to select which of four caves Rockford will enter, though once inside he must progress through all that cave's screens. Five difficulty levels, plus two playable intermission screens, add spice to an already good game.
Veteran computerists will appreciate Boulder Dash's ultra-playable blend of fast action and brain-teasing strategy. This is one game that can't be mastered in a mere few play sessions. If you want a good run for your money, Boulder Dash could be just the thing!
Comments (29)
the big m — 17 Sept 2023
Peter and Christopher of Canada created this amazing puzzle action game originally for the 800. It was ported to countless formats and eventually sold over 500,000 games worldwide! Graphics aren't special. But the scrolling and gameplay are terrific. Unfortunately, I'm not great at this. Still fun though. Excuse me while I go and try the game again! Perhaps, one of the best 800 games.
ddahlstrom — 26 Jul 2023
Absolutely outstanding. I was never very good at this game, but never felt cheated when I died. That's the mark of a great game. The variety of screens along with their design, the music/sound effects, and even the title screen were all quality and it remains fun right to this day.
max — 20 Aug 2019
The original version. Fantastic 8 bit game. Huge, fast, stress, chocking, complexity, super accurate, tricky, it play with a lot of different moods. It makes me cry when the rocks fall it hurt like if it was real. ;) I played it on the Amstrad CPC and green monitor with very sharp graphics. A8, CPC and C64 are lucky to have this gem perfectly executed. My fav was the BD 3 (in space).
Monty Mole — 22 Dec 2015
@Monk: I grew up with the C64-version from Boulder Dash. But I must admit that the controlling in the Atariversion is a bit better. Even as C64-fan I prefer the Atari XL version.
Monk — 30 Apr 2015
I have heard that some people think the Atari version of Boulder Dash is somehow better than the C64 version. Isn't the gameplay pretty much 100% identical? Where is the real difference? The only differences I can see are: - different sound effects (C64's are slightly better imho, except some sounds) - different color palette (C64's are better, although Atari's COULD have been better, but the color choices are oddly bland and grey, where they could have been colorful and beautiful) - different waveforms used in the title screen song .. no matter how I scratch my head, I simply cannot perceive any other differences. For all intents and purposes, besides those very tiny differences, the versions are: IDENTICAL. This is another very difficult game that I just can't play, because I always make some mistake that screws up the levels where you have to focus a lot and work long and hard to dig for a few measly diamonds, or where I can't think fast enough with the levels with the 'fireflies' and other enemies running around. I wish there was a version of Boulder Dash that had the exact same difficulty as the first two levels - those represent my skill level for this game perfectly, and I can complete those levels with relative ease. The difficulty curve is just too steep with this one - two levels are perfect difficult, and then it becomes incredibly hard. But, it's atmospheric, fun while it lasts, and a neat and original idea. Because of the difficulty, I never was a fan of this game. But I guess it's good for those that are skilled enough and can play difficult games.
Overtonesinger Filip — 15 Feb 2015
Best game ever! I programmed in C++ a freeware PC DOS version of the B.DASH CONSTRUCTION KIT back in 1997. :-) ... It even has fluent scrolling (in assembler!) on 386-33 MHz. Runs even today in Dosbox. I used the original ATARI graphics with all the correct palletes. :-)
OnkyC — 9 Mar 2012
THE best for the 800, had it on disk, played it all day...
Sam — 21 Jun 2011
I believe this was originally written for the Atari. First played it on the C64. Both versions are almost identical but I think it plays better on the Atari.
marquisor — 23 Dec 2010
best port imho, plays way snappier than on c64, i wonder if the construction kit caves are compatible with other ports and vice versa?! 8.5/10
Cubretti — 5 Sept 2010
OMG, I played Boulder Dash in 1987 when I was about 10. In Russia we called the game "Little Ant" or "Diamonds". Also I played SPECCY version but it has poor graphics and sound. My vote is 10.
baz armstrong — 8 Nov 2009
This has to be one of the best games ever!
holgibo — 6 Nov 2009
This is one of the greatest computer games of all time! I played it 25 years ago and I even enjoy it playing this game today!
Yungstar — 23 Oct 2009
while it is surpassed by more modern games, this has to be the best game ever due to time spent playing it. a true classic..
krm_mayadagli — 7 Aug 2009
This is best games on the world !
Rastafarout — 16 Jul 2009
t,was a great game.i loved the music...(am humming it now)
elias — 25 May 2009
love it, love it since i was 7~~~
Scott Wozniak — 15 Sept 2008
Absolute classic. 10/10.
Brygadier — 5 Jan 2008
Boulder Dash was GREAT. One of the best games for Atari 800XL/65XE.
Jeff — 30 Oct 2007
while i may spend little time with it now. it still goes down as my most played game EVER in the past 25 years or so..
Atari800XLFan — 15 Sept 2007
I luv it, the best game ever....10/10
modul-man — 26 May 2007
absolutely outstanding
atari 4ever — 24 Apr 2007
This is best games on the world !
Rafael — 19 Jan 2007
This is one of the best games that I ever played for my old Atari 130Xe. Even today i still can play it and enjoy it like a 20 years ago.
penge — 6 May 2006
Surprising how playable this game is, even today!
Nixon — 17 Apr 2006
great classic :)
Jac_Cac — 7 Aug 2005
Great idea. Great implementation. A true classic.
Rafal — 6 Mar 2005
Absolutelly "MUST HAVE" game ever...witty idea, good presentation...I spent long months with this game...
Pamela — 8 Sept 2004
I love this game is one of my favourites, just to get insane excelent
Franck — 19 Feb 2004
This game is really a must!