Namco recently released Dig Dug Remix, consisting of the original Dig Dug we all know and love, as well as a souped-up version that purports to reinvigorate the game and take it to another level. With both d-pad and swipe controls, the user has the option to choose the most comfortable way to control Taizo Hori (yes, that is his name) as he tunnels through the dirt, eliminating the lurking enemies using only his air gun and the rocks he unearths along the way. Even if the enemies manage to send our hero to an early grave, you can simply give up your earned points and continue from where you were last killed.

Namco hits it on the head with 256 levels of retro goodness in the original Dig Dug, faithfully porting the arcade version of the game to the iPhone and iPod Touch. Options exist to choose how many lives you can lose before the game is over, as well as sound effects controls and swipe/d-pad controls. Graphically, the original looks just like the arcade version, with a retro soundtrack to boot.

The aforementioned Remixed version offers sharp graphics and a brand new soundtrack, but little in the way of exciting fun. I completed the game in a little under 45 minutes. There are only 35 levels in the Remix, breaking down to 7 levels in each of 5 different worlds. The final level in each world is a big boss fight that amounts to little more than attacking the boss 4 times in order to move on to the next world. The other levels in each world only require you to vanquish 3 or 4 enemies to move on.

Gameplay, while crisp and fluid, is slightly slower than that of the original version. Levels are in landscape mode, as opposed to the orientation of the original. Several power-ups exist in each level, though we rarely needed, nor used, them. Options in the Remix mimic those in the original with the addition of 3 difficulty settings and background music controls. Namco also included a Free Play option that allows the user to instantly replay any previously completed level.

While we consider the gaming experience enjoyable, we had issues with the controls and the price. Our team did not like the swipe controls at all. We felt they lagged a bit and typically led to lost lives. Unfortunately, the d-pad was not much better. Changing direction often led to the hero continuing a short distance in the same direction he had been travelling in before turning, which threw off my tunnel lines. Despite this, the game is easily beatable and, dare we admit it, fun. It does feel a bit overpriced at $5.99. At half that price, we feel that the user would be getting his money’s worth out of this 2-for-1 special.

Given its simple gameplay, quick completion of the Remix, wonky controls, and prohibitive price point, we can only give Namco’s Dig Dug Remix 3 Dimples.

Dig Dug Remix gets our AppSmile 3-Dimple rating:

Follow @kdhormick on Twitter