Dig Dug
Dig Dug is a 1982 arcade game developed by Namco. Players control a character named Taizo Hori who tunnels through underground earth, carving paths in four directions and defeating enemies either by inflating them with an air pump until they burst or by dropping rocks on them as they give chase through the dirt.
Its clever mix of digging, strategy, and action made Dig Dug stand out from the maze and shooter games of its day. The two enemy types, the goggle-wearing Pooka and the fire-breathing dragon Fygar, behave differently, and enemies can turn into ghost-like eyes to phase through the earth and reach the player, rewarding careful shaping of the terrain and well-timed rock drops for bonus points.
Dig Dug has been ported extensively, spawned sequels, and appears in numerous Namco arcade compilations and retro collections, remaining an accessible and fondly remembered classic today.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Dig Dug, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
SteamWorld Dig 2 Indie
€ 19,99A polished indie digging platformer with an arcade heart.
SteamWorld Dig 2 runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Dome Keeper Indie
€ 17,99Mine downwards between waves of attackers, a loop that mixes Dig Dug with base defence.
Dome Keeper runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Namco Museum Archives
€ 19,99Collections bundling Dig Dug with other Namco classics.
Namco Museum Archives runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Untested.
Arcade Game Series: Dig Dug
€ 3,99The official digital re-release of the arcade original.
Arcade Game Series: Dig Dug runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Switch. It is Steam Deck Untested.
Mr. DRILLER DrillLand
€ 19,99Namco's own descendant of Dig Dug: dig down through coloured blocks without dropping the ceiling on yourself.
Mr. DRILLER DrillLand runs on PC, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox. It is Steam Deck Playable.
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