Dig Dug II (USA, Europe) (Namco Museum Archives Vol 2)

In Dig Dug II, players once again control Taizo Hori, the familiar digging hero, but this time the adventure takes place on floating islands instead of deep underground. The primary objective remains to eliminate all monsters on screen – including the goggle-wearing Pooka and the fire-breathing Fygar – to complete the level.

There are two main methods of dispatching enemies. The first method involves using an air pump to inflate enemies until they burst, similar to the original Dig Dug game. Players must get close to an enemy, then press and hold the button to continuously pump air. If the enemy moves away or the player releases the button, the inflation process will be interrupted.

The biggest difference and unique gameplay mechanic in Dig Dug II is the ability to create fault lines on the island. Players can use a special drill to create these lines. When a fault line forms a closed loop or connects to the edge of the island, that section of land, either inside or outside the loop, will sink into the sea. This allows players to eliminate multiple enemies if they are standing on the sinking landmass. Enemies can also inadvertently move onto fault lines or fall into the sea if they become trapped.

The monsters in Dig Dug II are quite intelligent; they will chase Taizo Hori and can move through the tunnels he has dug. Fygars are particularly dangerous with their fire-breathing ability, which can instantly defeat Taizo. After a certain period, if only a specific number of enemies remain (usually one or two), they will attempt to escape by moving towards the edge of the screen. Players need to quickly eliminate them before they disappear.

Additionally, bonus items appear when a certain number of enemies are defeated by inflation or when an island section is sunk. Collecting these items grants higher scores.

With its blend of traditional digging and unique terrain mechanics, Dig Dug II offers a challenging and strategic arcade experience on the NES.