Boulder Dash-XL is an action-puzzle video game developed by Catnip Games and published by Kalypso Media for the Xbox 360 (XBLA) in July 2011.[5] It is part of the Boulder Dash series. A PC version was released later in 2011. A Nintendo 3DS and iOS ports were released in 2012. The 3DS port is known as Boulder Dash-XL 3D.

Boulder Dash-XL
Developer(s)Catnip Games (360, Win)[5]
Ludosity (3DS)[3]
HeroCraft (iOS)[6]
Publisher(s)Kalypso Media / First Star Software (360, Win)[5]
Reef Entertainment (3DS)[3]
First Star Software (iOS)[6]
Designer(s)Daniel Remar (3DS)[7]
Platform(s)Xbox 360, Windows,[3] Nintendo 3DS, iOS
Release
July 13, 2011
  • July 13, 2011 (360)[1]
    2011 (Win)[2]
    • EU: October 5, 2012 (3DS)[3]
    November 20, 2012 (iOS)[4]
    • NA: September 5, 2013 (3DS)[3]
Genre(s)Action-puzzle[8]
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay edit

The objective of the game is to burrow through tunnels collecting gems without causing rocks to crush the player character. The game has over 150 levels and five game modes: Arcade, Zen, Puzzle, Retro, and Score.[8][3]

Development edit

The Nintendo 3DS version of the game was developed by Ludosity, with lead designer Daniel Remar having been a fan of the Boulder Dash series.[9] It was developed in a six-month span along with Alien Chaos 3D.[7]

Release edit

Boulder Dash-XL was developed by Catnip Games, based in Germany. Developers previously worked on Boulder Dash: Rocks! from 2007.[5] The game was released on July 13, 2011, for Xbox 360 and later for PC the same year.[10][1][2] A mobile version (which was originally scheduled to be released for Android, Windows Phone and iOS in 2011),[11] was released on November 20, 2012, for iOS.[4] It was published for Nintendo 3DS on October 5, 2012, in Europe, and was later released on the Nintendo 3DS eShop on August 22 and September 5, 2013, respectively.[3]

Reception edit

Boulder Dash-XL received "mixed or average" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[12][13]

GameSpot said: "Boulder Dash-XL is great when it sticks close to the original Boulder Dash formula, but an apparent focus on quantity rather than quality hurts the experience".[14] IGN called the game "simple and fun" but said that "the visuals and sound don't deliver on the same level as the gameplay".[15] GamePro called the game "an enjoyable ride that's well worth your time".[8]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c van Dijk Martín, William (18 July 2011). "Análisis - Boulder Dash XL". MeriStation (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Reed, Kristan (15 July 2011). "Download Games Roundup". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Whitehead, Thomas (10 October 2012). "Boulder Dash-XL 3D Review (3DS)". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Flodine, Dave (5 December 2012). "Boulder Dash®-XL™ Review". AppSpy. Steel Media. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Boulder Dash XL - Official website rolled out". GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  6. ^ a b Suszek, Mike (3 November 2012). "Boulder Dash-XL heading to iOS". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  7. ^ a b Remar, Daniel. "Ludosity games". Remar Games. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Terrones, Terry (28 July 2011). "Review: Boulder Dash-XL (XBLA)". GamePro. International Data Group. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  9. ^ Garv. "Plus XP: Boulder Dash XL-3D: Interview with Ludosity". Plus X. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  10. ^ Romano, Sal (9 November 2010). "Boulder Dash XL announced for XBLA and PC". Gematsu. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  11. ^ Wilson, Will (13 September 2011). "Herocraft bringing XBLA hit Boulder Dash XL to Android, iPhone, Windows Phone". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Boulder Dash-XL for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Boulder Dash-XL 3D for 3DS Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  14. ^ a b Calvert, Justin (20 July 2011). "Boulder Dash-XL Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on 8 January 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  15. ^ a b Clements, Ryan (14 July 2011). "Boulder Dash XL Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  16. ^ Rose, Mike (9 October 2012). "Game Reviews - Boulder Dash-XL 3D". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  17. ^ Jepsen, Nikolaj Kürstein (5 August 2011). "Anmeldelser - Boulder Dash XL". Gamereactor (in Danish). Gamez Publishing A/S. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  18. ^ Gonzalez, Alberto (27 July 2011). "Análisis de Boulder Dash-XL XBLA (Xbox 360)". Vandal (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 April 2023.

External links edit