Boulder Dash, the 1984 Atari classic that's been ported to just about every platform under the sun over the years (as well as spawning some twenty two sequels and redesigns, including Boulder Dash-XL 3D on the 3DS), is set to hit Switch this Friday in the form of Boulder Dash Deluxe.
This all-new take on the seminal maze puzzler sees the return of a rather different looking Rockford, as he blasts his way through a ton of new levels set across a bunch of brand new worlds, including one designed by original Boulder Dash creator, Peter Liepa, no less.
As you can see from the trailer above, this new edition updates the graphical style, giving things a glossier vibe (although we'll reserve judgement on whether it's 'better' or not), but does still seem to, more or less, feature the exact same addictive gem-collecting action at its core. The game also comes bundled with the original 1984 version, so you can relive some long lost childhood memories if you don't care for the new look. Although, if your childhood was the early 1980s, you should probably be very careful whilst playing because you're way too old to be playing video games. The Telegraph said so.
There certainly seems to be plenty of content to get stuck into here, as the official press release goes on to list in full:
• 180 all-new levels with advanced features!
• Includes 20 levels from the original 1984 Boulder Dash version
• 9 exciting, brand spanking new worlds with high-end graphics, having their own, unique textures, go to Macmarnua Sea or Urath Castle – or back in time to the Classic 1984 World with its caves
• 15 new special opponents like Octopus, Shark Polar bear, and Snow tiger will keep your mind agile and you on your toes.
• The Liepa World, a premium world by videogame legend Peter Liepa who returned to the game he created 35 years ago with 20 of the most mind-bending levels yet!
• Full character customization of your game character Rockford™, e.g. shirt, pants, shoes, eyewear, headgear, hair, and facial hair
There's also online multiplayer to follow in an update, according to the game's website.
Boulder Dash Deluxe smashes onto Switch this Thursday (9th September) and will set you back 129900 gems, or £12.99 in real world money.
Will you be grabbing Boulder Dash Deluxe this week? Do you like Rockford's funky new look? Let us know in the comments below.
[source nintendo.co.uk]
Comments 30
That looks like some wii game shovelware title which isn't a good thing
I remember playing this back in the day on one of those old systems. I think it was Atari but I'm not sure. I have good memories of it.
This though, looks really cheap. Probably won't bother.
Aah, the illogical gravity-less game with gravity!!
If you have SmileBASIC for Switch, give Kabooma Looma a try. 48K9NS33J
It puts the gravity back in!
It looks absolutely atrocious. It's like the developer designed the characters with the goal being to make the most annoying looking characters possible.
It's a shame the IP isn't in the hands of someone better as there is a good game in there.
This wasn’t a PS2 game originally?
I mean it looks better then the Boulder Dash game we got on switch just awhile back.
I definitely want to try this because i loved Boulder Dash as a kid (well i played "Digger", idk if it's just a different name or a different game) but man this does look kinda awful. What person designs these creepy looking kids and what person goes "yep, that's what i want my protagonist to look like"
Games like Pac-Man and DK94 evolved old titles in an engaging way. Not so sure that's the case here.
Seems you can almost tell how much effort has gone into something just by looking at character design
That's not my Rockford!
Nice the original version is included and new classic themed levels but man, the new game looks devoid of any charm.
@elias84631 : This looks pretty ghastly even by 500 point WiiWare standards.
Has someone been busy on Game Builder Garage?
Oh, how the mighty has fallen.
What's the difference between this and Boulder Dash 30th Anniversary?
@Coxula Not sure but they're both from the same developer. From the little I've seen of 30th,it doesn't seem us ugly. At least with the character design.
Why doesn't the original devoper port ROX to the switch??
https://youtu.be/TIe7BNZzh40
This just looks so bad... so bad.
As this has the original, I am tempted. Just wish I could remove the new part of the game. Just give the original that’ll do
@Yosher Me too, it originally came out on the Atari 400/800. Was actually a pretty great game back in the day.
I'm actually kinda excited for this since they included all the original 1984 levels. That's kickass, I wish more developers would do that when they reboot a title like this.
Now I just need someone to reboot M.U.L.E. to the switch.
I don't like the look of the character, he looks like a character for a Wii shovelware game. But I do like the look of the retro version and the classic levels that's included, I gotta admit.
I actually quite liked Boulderdash XL and it sits downloaded on my 3DS. I'm not sure about this though.
I have fond memories of playing Boulderdash on my Commodore 64. I am old, lol.
I genuinely can't imagine human beings looked at this art style and thought "this is acceptable".
This series was fantastic on Commodore 64, I grew up on this, but any newer game released after 1990 pretty much fails to capture the brilliance of the original games.
It used to be all about the physics of the game and how each level was a puzzle of physics and logic to collect the required amount of diamonds to get the exit open and usually, you needed to collect most if not all of them to do it. More recent games are way too easy by comparison and rely more on gimmick items rather than clever use of physics to solve situations.
Boulder Dash II was the pinnacle of the series IMHO.
I love the series, and I enjoyed Boulder Dash-XL 3D on my 3DS. I can't pay actual money for this abomination, though. That "art" style is abhorrent. What were they thinking?
i think i will pass on this and play my 3ds copy thanks, this looks like a horrible abomination? 😱😱😱😨
going by the trailer i don't get it, they will release it on every platform except from psn store? there will even be a ios version and nothing for google play store! smdh
The fact one of those screenshots has a touchscreen Dpad says it all really.
They said- how can we make this worse? What if we added Jimmy Neutron.
i played these's games on zx spectrum. I think there was 7 boulder dash games over the years. love to play this. look's like some new gameplay in it😃👍👍
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