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Boulder Dash

7/10

Video Archive

Boulder Dash – Why This C64 Puzzle Game Became an All-Time Favourite

️ Boulder Dash (1984) – Commodore 64 Puzzle-Platform Mining Classic Released in 1984 by First Star Software and created by Peter Liepa and Chris Gray, Boulder Dash is a landmark puzzle-platformer that helped define an entire genre. You guide Rockford, a determined miner, through dangerous underground caves in search of precious diamonds. Each level challenges you to dig through dirt, manipulate the environment, and outthink falling boulders, roaming enemies, and deadly traps. Success depends on careful planning as much as quick reactions, with every movement potentially triggering chain reactions that can either clear a path or seal Rockford’s fate. The Commodore 64 version is especially celebrated for its colourful presentation and distinctive sound effects, which bring the caves to life and heighten the tension as boulders tumble and enemies close in. Level design steadily increases in complexity, encouraging experimentation, memorisation, and mastery of the game’s physics-driven systems.

Magazine Reviews

Magazine Reviews

Magazine Reviews Scores, issue details and original review links
Magazine Reviews · 10 Contemporary average 91% · range 80–100%
81%
ACAR December 1986 · page 20 Reviewed by J Mark Hunter. OziSoft full-price release
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9/10
C&VG Issue 38 · December 1984 · page 35 Reviewed by State Soft full-price release
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10/10
Personal Computer Games Issue 13 · December 1984 · page 85 Reviewed by State Soft full-price release
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4/5
TV Gamer December 1984 · page 52 Reviewed by State Soft full-price release
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9/10
Your Commodore Issue 37 · October 1987 · page 43 Reviewed by Kirk Rutter. Prism Leisure budget release
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5/5
Your Commodore Issue 4 · January 1985 · page 50 Reviewed by KM. State Soft full-price release
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10/10
Your Commodore Issue 42 · March 1988 · page 70 Reviewed by Tony Hetherington. Prism Leisure budget release
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4/5
Your Computer December 1984 · page 59 Reviewed by State Soft full-price release
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90%
Zzap! 64 Micro Action Issue 25 · mar-apr 25 · page 52 Reviewed by Andrew Fisher, Mat Allen & Paul Morrison
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