Dig Dug Game Boy box art

Game Boy · Action

Dig Dug

SystemGame Boy
Released1992 (originally 1982)
GenreAction
DeveloperNamco
PublisherNamco
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesDig Dug
LegacyWell-known · legacy score 7

Dig Dug is an action game released in 1992 for the Game Boy, developed by Namco. This Game Boy release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1982.

It landed about 3 years into the Game Boy's life. Other notable Game Boy releases from 1992 include Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, Kirby's Dream Land and Mega Man III. Among the 97 Game Boy action games in our database, it ranks #13 by legacy score.

It is part of the Dig Dug series. The series also appears on other systems with Dig Dug (2600) and Dig Dug (5200). Namco also made Battle City, Great Greed and Extra Bases for the Game Boy.

Dig Dug is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

Pick it if…

  • you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Dig Dug is like

Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.

Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.

Dig Dug gameplay screenshot on Game Boy
In-game screenshot (Game Boy)

Dig Dug cheats & codes

30 codes on file (Game Genie, GameShark, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:

Infinite Lives008-1BB-19E
Start With 6 Lives06B-ACA-E66
Start With 9 Lives09B-ACA-E66
Start With 2 Lives02B-ACA-E66
When Pookas Are Partially Inflated, They Don't Shrink004-50C-3BE
Start On Level 43EC-D9A-08A 04C-DAA-E62

See all Dig Dug cheats

Dig Dug walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Dig Dug.

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Playing Game Boy games today

Game Boy games were designed for short bursts on the go, which makes them ideal for a coffee break today. Many are available through Nintendo Switch Online, and original carts play on any later Game Boy model.

Dig Dug FAQ

When did Dig Dug come out on the Game Boy?

Dig Dug was released for the Game Boy in 1992; the original game dates back to 1982.

Who made Dig Dug?

It was developed by Namco.

Is Dig Dug multiplayer?

No. Dig Dug is a single-player game.

How long does Dig Dug take to play?

As an action game, Dig Dug typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Dig Dug on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you