The main game play mechanic centers around drilling. The Dozer is a very powerful mech that can drill through almost any substance. Upon entering each level, Jill’s Dozer starts off with only one gear of drilling power. Hidden throughout the level are gear upgrades that allow her drills to shift into a higher gear. This will open up new areas to explore within the level that were previously blocked by seemingly indestructible walls. Pressing the shoulder buttons activates the drill function. The “L” button spins her drill counter-clockwise and the “R” button spins it clockwise. Mastering several different drill techniques will be vital to successful level completion. Other than drilling everything in sight, the Dozer has several other moves, like jumping, dashing, etc. Similar to action games of the past (like Mega Man), levels will present many different hazards to overcome, and in later stages special upgrades to the Dozer (submarine & airplane) will invite new play mechanics.

Scattered throughout the levels are special green Chips. These are like money in the game that will allow Jill to buy new parts for the Dozer, like energy takes and better drill bits. If she loses all of her energy, 50 chips will be required as payment to continue the game. There are also treasures to collect to add to her stash. Each level usually culminates in fighting a boss. Some of these can be on the difficult side, but the game tends to point out the boss’s weak spot beforehand so it’s not too hard of a time. Although, figuring out how to successfully attack that spot can often be a chore. While the game’s levels do have plenty of enemies roaming the corridors, the game seems to take more of an exploration route. There are all sorts of hidden rooms to discover and treasures and chips to locate. Even the early levels have boxes and walls that can’t yet be demolished since the Dozer is too weak. After buying upgraded parts these levels should be revisited to reap the rewards.

As is typical with most Nintendo games, Drill Dozer is extremely easy to control and the learning curve is perfect. There are many maneuvers to learn, but if one were to forget how to perform one, there’s a help screen that showcases all of the moves learned up to that point. The game has plenty of spikes to avoid, moving platforms to jump on, and other hazards to make any 2D action-platform fan happy. Really, the only downside to the control system is its reliance on using the “L” and “R” shoulder buttons. I found that playing the game on a Game Boy Micro or a GBA SP resulted in hand cramping after only 10 or 15 minutes. For best results I suggest playing the game on either a Nintendo DS or the original model of the GBA since the buttons seem better positioned. The game has a built-in rumble pak so you can feel the drill grinding through obstacles. It’s a nice feature and adds to the immersion.

The game’s presentation is above average for a GBA game. The levels all feature lush backgrounds and the characters animate fluidly. Some of the bosses are fairly big on the screen, and I guess the whole package reminds me of Mega Man X on the SNES. If you liked those graphics, you’ll be right at home here. The music is pretty forgettable, but there are a few stages where it really comes alive. One nice touch is when the third gear is found in each level, the background music changes to a more upbeat “let’s really kick some butt now” song.

I really enjoyed Drill Dozer. The game isn’t overly difficult, but it’s not a cakewalk either. Some of the jumping and platforming can be a bit tedious, but exploring the levels was my favorite part. Some of the areas are quite big and discovering secret areas and finding treasures was a very rewarding part of the adventure. It’s refreshing to see a brand new 2D game of this caliber being released at a time where 3D graphics rein supreme. If you’re itching for and old school game with some new play mechanics, I highly suggest giving Drill Dozer a spin.