Boulder Dash EX
A Game Boy Advance remake of the arcade Boulder Dash.
Boulder Dash EX is an action-puzzle title from Tokyo developer Vision Works, published by Kemco for the Game Boy Advance in September 2002. As part of the Boulder Dash series, it serves as a remake of the arcade original.
Players dig through tunnels to collect gems while avoiding being crushed by falling rocks and other hazards. The game includes more than 60 puzzles spread across three modes. "EX Game" is an updated version featuring new enemies, items, and anime-style cutscenes that follow the protagonist Alex as he tries to rescue his friend Sonya from the Dark King. "Classic Game" reproduces the entire original arcade experience, while "Battle Mode" lets up to four players compete simultaneously via a link cable.
According to Metacritic, the game received generally positive reviews. Nintendo Power called it "a very replayable and addictive challenge." GameSpy noted that fans of the genre "can't really go wrong with Boulder Dash EX." IGN found the story and cutscenes "a little on the tacky side" and the graphics unelaborate, but still described it as "quite a fun, little surprise." Jeuxvideo.com rated it an "excellent game."
- developer
- Vision Works
- publisher
- Kemco
- platform
- Game Boy Advance
- release_date
- September 2002
- genre
- Action-puzzle
- series
- Boulder Dash
Lore & Background
Boulder Dash EX was developed by Tokyo-based Vision Works and published by Kemco for the Game Boy Advance in September 2002. It is a remake of the arcade version of Boulder Dash and part of the larger Boulder Dash series. The game features over 60 puzzles and three modes: EX Game, Classic Game, and Battle Mode.
Reader's Guide
Boulder Dash EX received generally positive reviews according to Metacritic. Nintendo Power described it as 'a very replayable and addictive challenge.' GameSpy noted that 'if you enjoy the genre you can't really go wrong with Boulder Dash EX.' IGN commented that while the story and cutscenes are tacky and graphics not the most elaborate, the game is 'quite a fun, little surprise.' Jeuxvideo.com called it an 'excellent game.' The game's significance lies in its faithful remake of the arcade original while adding new content and multiplayer options, appealing to both nostalgic players and newcomers to the puzzle genre.
Did You Know?
- The game includes over 60 puzzles.
- EX Game mode features anime-style cutscenes between levels.
- Battle Mode allows up to four players to compete simultaneously using a link cable.
- The game is a remake of the arcade version of Boulder Dash.
More in Video game remakes 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record