Controls
| Control | Action |
|---|---|
|
Move up |
|
Move down |
|
Move left |
|
Move right |
|
Start |
|
Select players |
|
Show options |
|
Reset level |
|
Show options |
Boulder Dash
In this classic maze puzzle game, you play as Rockford who is on a dangerous underground adventure in search of jewels. Collect jewels and escape the cave before time runs out. 16 cave puzzles to complete alone or with a friend. Avoid falling boulders. Drop boulders on enemies before they catch you!
Starting a Game
To enter the main menu, press the show options button on the joystick when the Boulder Dash logo is on the screen.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| (Start) | Opens the option menu for configuring the number of players and joysticks. |
| (Option) | Select the number of players and joysticks |
| (Fire) | Start the game. |
To change the starting cave between caves A, E, I and M, move the joystick left or right whilst on the menu screen. To change the difficulty between levels 1-5, move the joystick up or down. Higher difficulties give the player less time to escape the cave, but more Jewels to collect.
To play on difficulty level 4 or 5, you must start the game in Cave A.
Gameplay
Game Interface
- Number of Jewels required for level
- Point value
- Number of Jewels collected
- Time remaining
- Total Points
Scoring
The amount of points received per Jewel depends on the current cave, difficulty level and bonus status. Bonuses are applied to Jewels collected after the exit door has been opened.
Bonus points are also received for every second remaining on the timer after leaving the current cave.
Your current points during a game can be seen in the top left of the screen, to the right of the picture of a Jewel. If a bonus is active, the point value shown at the top of the screen will increase.
How to Play
- Use the joystick to move Rockford through the cave, collecting as many Jewels as you can. When enough Jewels are collected, the next cave awaits! Find the escape door to progress.
- To start, you will have 3 Rockfords. You will lose a Rockford when you are hit by a moving boulder or Jewel. If you lose all Rockfords, you’ll have to start again.
- Rockford can dig through earth that is directly next to him, clearing the way.
- Rockford can move boulders horizontally, and stand directly under a boulder that isn’t moving.
- Keep an eye on the time! When time for the current cave is running out, a warning sound will play. Get enough Jewels to leave before the time runs out.
Boulders- Boulders fall with gravity when unsupported and slide off objects if nothing is blocking their way. You lose a Rockford (life) if you are hit by a boulder that is being moved by gravity.
Jewels- Jewels are glowing diamonds that can be found in each level, or created by performing the following actions:
- Transforming butterflies
- Suffocating Amoebas
- Dropping boulders through enchanted walls
- A certain number of Jewels must be found in a level for the escape door to be usable. Once enough Jewels are collected in a level, the escape door will activate and begin flashing.
Enemies
Fireflies- Fireflies move around the edges of exposed areas of the cave, exploding when they come into contact with Rockford. They can be blown up prematurely by dropping a boulder on them - their explosion can damage other things in the environment - this might come in handy!
Butterflies- Butterflies behave very similar to Fireflies, but turn into Jewels when they explode, and run away from Fireflies when moving in the same direction as one.
Amoeba- Amoeba take the form of a green blob that grows through the earth and air. Rockford can pass through Amoeba without being harmed, but Fireflies and Butterflies will explode when coming into contact with it. When Amoeba is trapped in an enclosed space by boulders, it suffocates and turns into Jewels. If Amoeba is left to grow for too long, it will turn the squares it occupies into boulders.
Levels
| Letter | Level Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A | Intro | Pick up Jewels and exit before time is up. |
| B | Rooms | Pick up Jewels, but you must move boulders to get all Jewels. |
| C | Maze | Pick up Jewels. You must get every Jewel to exit |
| D | Butterflies | Drop boulders on Butterflies to create Jewels. |
| E | Guards | The Jewels are there for the grabbing, but they are guarded by deadly Fireflies. |
| F | Firefly Dens | Each Firefly is guarding a Jewel. |
| G | Amoeba | Surround the Amoeba with boulders, so it can’t grow any more. Pick up Jewels that are created when it suffocates. |
| H | Enchanted Wall | Activate the Enchanted Wall and create as many Jewels as you can. |
| I | Greed | You have to get a lot of Jewels here, lucky there are so many. |
| J | Tracks | Get the Jewels, avoid the Fireflies. |
| K | Crowd | You’ll need to move a lot of boulders around, in some tight spaces. |
| L | Walls | You must blast through walls to get at some of the Jewels. Drop a boulder on a Firefly at the right time and place to do this. |
| M | Apocalypse | Bring the Butterflies and Amoeba together, and watch the Jewels fly! |
| N | Zigzag | Magically transform the Butterflies into Jewels, but don’t waste any boulders, and watch out for the Fireflies. |
| O | Funnel | There is an Enchanted Wall at the bottom of the rock funnel. |
| P | Enchanted Boxes | The top of each square room is an Enchanted Wall, but you’ll have to blast your way inside! |
There are 4 short puzzles which can be accessed after completing levels D, H, L and P.