Digger Man (prototype)

Players navigate interconnected mazes in Digger Man, a two-player arcade game created by Kyle Hodgetts in 2000. As the titular Digger Men, players use controls to tunnel through earth and rock, seeking out treasures and avoiding subterranean obstacles. The gameplay focuses on strategic digging—players must carefully plan their routes to collect rewards while also preventing their character from being trapped or colliding with hazards within the maze. This prototype’s visual and audio elements show clear influence from Face's Gururin, incorporating many of that game’s sprites and sounds. Two players can compete simultaneously, adding a layer of challenge as they vie for resources and maneuver through the increasingly complex underground environments. Digger Man was released on SNK Neo-Geo MVS cartridge hardware.