We’ve covered the release of Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary in some detail, including an interview with the game’s creators and updates on the championships. The anticipated modern take on a classic is nearly ready for release, and we’re checking out the Steam version for this review. Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary is also available on Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile devices now. There is also a Steam demo available for anyone wishing to try before buying.
Boulder Dash is over 40 years old, and this latest edition of the long-running block adventure puzzler game. It isn’t just a new version of the arcade favourite; this pack includes some extra Boulder Dash titles from the 80s that have been reworked to a modern standard. Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary is the ultimate tribute to a series that made a big splash when it first appeared and is still very playable today.
As with all Boulder Dash titles, in each level you’ll use Rockford to dig, push boulders, and collect enough gems to escape through the door. It all sounds incredibly simple until you start to see how much the giant rocks tumble about, how fast the enemies can be in hunting you down, or having to dig in a correct way to create a gem-producing brick wall. Some of the levels require precise timing and real thought put into the order in which you want the different gameplay mechanics to happen.
Not content with the usual gameplay mechanics, developer BBG Entertainment has added lots of new puzzle elements, obstructions that need dealing with, and lots of variety in the enemy patterns. Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary’s gameplay feels very varied when hopping from level to level. There is a constant need to be learning or dealing with something new, whether it be a way to make gems appear or to kill the nasty moths and other creatures in Rockford’s way.
Rockford, who comes in many guises for you to choose from, controls very well in all the games featured in this pack. Specifically in Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary’s new levels, the controls felt sharp and the buttons responsive, playing with our Xbox controller on Steam. In the newer versions of the first three series entries, the controls have been reworked to respond better on modern systems. The original 8-bit computer keyboard commands have been upgraded to work with modern controllers, and this is the same situation for all the new menus added to the originals.
One of the best aspects of this celebratory title is the beautiful, colorful, and charming graphics that make up the new levels. The way everything pops in its own way, and some of the extra art spread throughout the background and foreground, is a joy to experience as well. Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary certainly looks the part, and it’s great how you get to choose how Rockford looks from a large variety of iterations from throughout the years. It’s actually a great moment when first starting the game, as you get to reflect on all the Rockfords from over the years.
There is also an editor included, which allows you to create your own levels for other Boulder Dash players. We gave it a go and found it was easy to place rocks, gems, doors, and enemies around the empty map. Once we got the hang of the menus and selection tool, we were away devising our own ghastly plans to thwart Rockford. It’s fun making them, and hopefully, there will be plenty of fan creations to download soon. It’s a wonderful addition to this already bulging game and adds even more longevity to proceedings.
Overall, any fan of Boulder Dash, both old and new, will love the new challenges, puzzles, and extras in this great celebration of one of gaming’s greatest series. Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary is an incredible value given how much there is to play, see, and do when everything is considered. The main game is fun, and there are such a large number of levels to tackle. The editor is a great way to expand the game’s longevity, and the extra games give some more variety and history around the series. This is thoroughly recommended.
