GENRE
	2D Platformer
	DEVELOPER
	Game Freak
	PUBLISHER
	Nintendo
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1
	CONNECTIVITY
	No
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It's clear that Nintendo is going to be throwing the bulk of its portable first-party software support behind the DS in the coming months, but every now and then, a small gem pops up on the GBA's radar, and fortunately, Drill Dozer is indubitably one of those. Developed by Game Freak, best known for the Pokémon franchise, this GBA title has almost all the makings of a classic.

visuals

Drill Dozer uses a 2D style similar to a lot of other GBA sidescrollers. Pastels are favored over stark shades, and the characters most often seen are the enemies. The game's protagonist, Jill, is usually displayed from the neck up, except for those rare moments when she hops out of the Drill Dozer. Most notable about the in-game graphics is the white frame, which is lain over the screen as the drill is engaged. The stark readout shows the progress of the drill, which gear it is in and the direction it is drilling.

The game's style is definitely worth mentioning, as it does not synch up with any style used in other Nintendo software. Character portraits are drawn with thick, colorful strokes, a style which is well-suited to a portable screen.

audio

Drill Dozer features some voice acting, although it is fairly understated. The entire Japanese cast was retained for the American version, so clearly, there are no actual words, only mumblings or exclamations. The music suits each stage well, from the museum break-in to an ancient temple, but nothing is particularly catchy. The drill makes a different sound for each action it makes, helping the player understand what is going on better.

gameplay

It would seem that everything possible has been done with 2D platformers. The people at Game Freak, however, have come up with a few mechanics that defy what a sidescroller usually presents. In fact, the title probably does things differently than what one might expect from a game about drilling.

After her father's Red Diamond is stolen by the evil gang of thieves, the Skullkers, Jill decides to lead her own gang, the Red Dozers, in pursuit of them, discovering certain secrets about the diamond and its differently-colored counterparts in the process. And, since the Skullkers have paid off the police, things will go doubly bad for her if she's caught.

Drill Dozer is inventive in unexpected ways. The standard walking and jumping is present as always, but using the Dozer to suspend Jill above a chasm, then drill her way across, is something that is even more surprising than it sounds. Drilling one direction into a block or baddie, then abruptly shifting into reverse can send Jill flying backwards and remove a timed block, which reappears after a set interval. These are just a couple of off-the-wall additions that have been made to the traditional genre. Boss fights are equally inventive, as each requires Zelda-like levels of brainpower to defeat. One signature fight has Jill playing hot-potato with a police officer's missiles, which must also be drilled in the correct direction depending on color.

Nintendo expresses its love of portable rumbling again with this game, which has a portable Rumble Pak included The cartridge is a great deal thinner than WarioWare Twisted (no tilt sensor) and is about twice as long as the usual GBA game. Drill Dozer also supports the rumble function via the GC's Game Boy Player.

multiplayer

N/A

overall

Drill Dozer proves that just like so many other systems before it, Nintendo will be supporting the GBA after its successor (yes, technically the company says the DS is not the GBA's successor) has been successfully launched. Proving that Pokémon was no fluke, Game Freak has come up with another solid-gold piece of portable software. Nintendo might do well to suggest the company work on more console and handheld projects outside the Pokémon franchise, as Drill Dozer surpassed expectations. In fact, the game is so inventive and absorbing that it might just justify that GB Micro purchase-- unless you get the Famicom version, because that really justifies itself, doesn't it?

9.3/10