Mr. Driller Drill Land

Last updated

Mr. Driller Drill Land
Mr Driller Drill Land.jpg
Developer(s) Project Driller
Publisher(s) Namco
Remaster
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Director(s) Hiroyuki Onoda
Producer(s) Hideo Yoshizawa
Designer(s) Hiroyuki Onoda
Koji Inokuchi
Composer(s) Go Shiina
Series Mr. Driller
Platform(s)
ReleaseGameCube
  • JP: December 20, 2002
Nintendo Switch, Windows,
  • WW: June 25, 2020
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • WW: November 4, 2021
Genre(s) Puzzle
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Mr. Driller Drill Land [lower-alpha 1] [lower-alpha 2] is a 2002 puzzle video game developed and published in Japan by Namco for the GameCube. It is the fifth entry in the Mr. Driller video game series, and the second developed for a Nintendo platform following Mr. Driller A . Controlling one of seven characters, the player must make it to the bottom of each stage by destroying colored blocks, which can connect to each other and form chain reactions. The game is divided into five different modes themed as amusement park attractions, which feature new mechanics such as enemies, items and different block types.

Contents

Development of the game was by Project Driller, the internal development group behind the series. The soundtrack was composed by Go Shiina and was the last Mr. Driller title he worked on. A prototype game featuring four-person multiplayer was shown off at a Nintendo press conference, titled Shin Mr. Driller, and intended for a fall 2002 release in Japan. It was later delayed to winter of that year after being shown at the 2002 Tokyo Game Show, where it was given its final title of Drill Land. The game features support for the GameCube - Game Boy Advance link cable, allowing the player to import their "Pacteria" pets from Mr. Driller A into the game.

Mr. Driller Drill Land was met with a positive response from critics, who applauded the game's overall presentation, amount of content, multiplayer and graphics, some calling it one of the best Mr. Driller games and one of the best puzzle games for the GameCube. It was followed by Mr. Driller Drill Spirits for the Nintendo DS in 2004. A high-definition remaster for the Nintendo Switch and Windows was released internationally on June 25, 2020. [1] Versions for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, were released on November 4, 2021. [2]

Gameplay

Screenshot from the game, showing the Hole of Druaga gamemode. Mr. Driller Drill Land screenshot.jpg
Screenshot from the game, showing the Hole of Druaga gamemode.

Mr. Driller Drill Land is a puzzle video game where the player controls one of seven different characters who make it to the bottom of the stage by destroying formations of colored blocks that litter the playfield. [3] Blocks of the same color will connect to each other if touching, and will be destroyed when four or more are connected, which can be used to cause chain reactions. [3] The player has an oxygen meter at the right-hand side of the screen that constantly depletes as the stage progresses — collecting small air capsules found within the stage will replenish 20% of the player's oxygen, while destroying brown "X-Blocks" will deplete 20% of their oxygen. [3] Unsupported blocks will fall, which can crush the player if under it. [3]

Drill Land introduces five gameplay modes, themed as "attractions" in an amusement park. [4] Upon selecting one, the player can select the difficulty of the stage before progressing to the main game. [3] Completing an attraction will award the player with a stamp, and collecting all five stamps from each ride will allow the player to engage in a boss fight with Dr. Manhole in the middle of the park, which when defeated will unlock the next level. The five game modes include: Drill Land World Tour, which has the standard Mr. Driller gameplay, [3] The Hole of Druaga, a parody of Namco's own The Tower of Druaga where the player needs to retrieve a key to open a door, [3] Horror Night House, where the player needs to inject ghost-filled blocks with Holy water, [3] Drindy Adventure, which features traps such as rolling boulders and spikes, [3] and Star Driller, based on the Space Stage in Mr. Driller G featuring flashing "Star Blocks" that disappear after a brief moment. [5]

Alongside the five attractions, the player can visit a night-time parade featuring many of the game's characters marching. [6] Completing any of the game's attractions will award currency, which can be used in a gift shop to purchase power-ups, souvenirs and trading cards with the characters printed on them. [6] The game features support for the GameCube - Game Boy Advance link cable peripheral, which allows the player to import their "Pacteria" digital pets from Mr. Driller A into the game's parade or purchase exclusive power-up items. [6]

Development and release

Mr. Driller Drill Land was released exclusively for the GameCube in Japan by Namco on December 20, 2002. [7] Development was headed by Project Driller, the internal development group behind the Mr. Driller series, and was the last entry in the franchise composed by Go Shiina. [8] The game was known in development as Shin Mr. Driller, known as New Mr. Driller in English, and intended for a fall 2002 release. [9] A prototype version showcasing four-person multiplayer was presented to Nintendo during a press conference, which was part of an established collaboration between Nintendo and Namco for the GameCube, and scheduled to be released in November. [10] The game was presented at the 2002 Tokyo Game Show, under the final title of Mr. Driller Drill Land, being delayed to a winter 2002 release. [11]

A high-definition remaster of Drill Land for both PC and the Nintendo Switch was released in June 2020. [1] The remaster features enhanced graphics and an additional Casual mode for beginner players. [1] It is the third game released under the company's Encore line, following remasters of Katamari Damacy and Kotoba no Puzzle: Mojipittan . [1] Versions for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 were released on November 4, 2021. [2]

Reception

Mr. Driller Drill Land was met with a positive critical response, some calling it one of the best games in the series and one of the best puzzle games for the GameCube. Japanese publication Famitsu awarded it the "Gold Hall of Fame" award based on four reviews, [12] while UK magazine GamesTM listed it among the top twenty best GameCube games of all time. [15] The remastered version holds an 81/100 on the aggregator website Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [16]

Critics applauded the game's presentation and amount of content. GAME Watch said the amount of content and overall presentation added a lot of replay value to the game for their interesting premise and gameplay mechanics. [7] GamesTM called it "easily the GameCube's best puzzle game" for its colorful visuals and surplus amount of content, saying that the shopping system helped break up the action. [14] They also thought the addition of new gameplay modes helped make the game feel more modern compared to earlier entries. [14] Cube magazine praised the game's graphics, originality and large amount of collectibles, labeling it "a puzzle game for the more hands-on type of person". [13] They also praised the amount of gamemodes, finding The Hole of Druaga to be the "cleverest" of the attractions. [13]

Several also praised the multiple gamemodes, graphics, multiplayer and soundtrack. GAME Watch liked the game's four-player multiplayer for its intense and addictive gameplay, and for adding a new layer of replay value to the overall game. [7] They also heavily praised its "gorgeous" music and sound effects, [7] which GamesTM agreed with. [14] GamesTM also added that the soundtrack adds to the game's action and style. [14] Cube highly praised the game's multiplayer aspect and challenge for increasing both the replay value and appeal. [13] Engadget listed it among the ten best exclusive GameCube games, saying its "undeniably adorable" and amount of content helps it stand out from other games in the series. [17] Retronauts called it "the ultimate Driller experience", recommending it to players who have tried out previous Mr. Driller installments. [18]

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: ミスタードリラードリルランド, Hepburn: Misutā Dorirā Doriru Rando
  2. ↑ The Switch/Windows version is titled Mr. Driller Encore (ミスタードリラーアンコール) in Japan.

Related Research Articles

<i>Dig Dug</i> 1982 video game

Dig Dug is a maze arcade video game developed by Namco in 1981 and released in 1982, distributed in North America by Atari, Inc. The player controls Dig Dug to defeat all enemies per stage, by either inflating them to bursting or crushing them underneath rocks.

<i>Pac-Man Vs.</i> 2003 video game

Pac-Man Vs. is a 2003 maze video game developed by Nintendo EAD and published by Namco for the GameCube. In the game, one player takes control of Pac-Man, who must eat all of the pellets in the maze, while the others control the ghosts to try to catch them. The objective is to be the first to reach a set number of points, selected before the game begins. The player controlling Pac-Man uses the Game Boy Advance to play, while the others use the television to control the ghosts. The game requires the GameCube - Game Boy Advance link cable in order to play.

<i>Mr. Driller</i> Video game series

Mr. Driller is a puzzle video game franchise created by Yasuhito Nagaoka and Hideo Yoshizawa for Namco. The eponymous first game was released in 1999 for arcades and several home consoles, such as the PlayStation. Gameplay in the series consists of controlling Susumu Hori, the titular Mr. Driller, or one of his friends and destroying colorful formations of blocks to make it to the bottom of a well. In order to survive, players need to collect air capsules to replenish their depleting oxygen and avoid being crushed by falling blocks.

<i>Mr. Driller Drill Spirits</i> 2004 puzzle video game

Mr. Driller Drill Spirits is a 2004 puzzle video game developed and published by Namco for the Nintendo DS. Controlling one of six characters, the player must make it to the bottom of each stage by destroying, colored formations of blocks while preventing their oxygen meter from depleting. Multiple different gamemodes are present, including a single-player campaign, a time-attack mode, and a competitive multiplayer mode. It is the sixth entry in the Mr. Driller series.

<i>Lumines: Puzzle Fusion</i> 2004 puzzle video game

Lumines: Puzzle Fusion is a 2004 puzzle game developed by Q Entertainment and published for the PlayStation Portable by Bandai in Japan and by Ubisoft elsewhere. The objective of the game is to arrange descending two-colored 2×2 blocks to create 2×2 squares of matching color. A vertical line known as the "time line" sweeps across the field, erases completed squares, and awards points. Each stage has a skin that affects the background, block colors, music, and the speed of the time line.

<i>Pac-Attack</i> 1993 puzzle video game

Pac-Attack, also known as Pac-Panic, is a 1993 falling-tile puzzle video game developed and published by Namco for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis. Versions for the Game Boy, Game Gear and Philips CD-i were also released. The player is tasked with clearing out blocks and ghosts without them stacking to the top of the playfield — blocks can be cleared by matching them in horizontal rows, while ghosts can be cleared by placing down a Pac-Man piece that can eat them. It is the first game in the Pac-Man series to be released exclusively for home platforms.

<i>The Tower of Druaga</i> 1984 video game

The Tower of Druaga is a 1984 arcade action role-playing maze game developed and published in Japan by Namco. Controlling the golden-armored knight Gilgamesh, the player is tasked with scaling 60 floors of the titular tower in an effort to rescue the maiden Ki from Druaga, a demon with eight arms and four legs, who plans to use an artifact known as the Blue Crystal Rod to enslave all of mankind. It ran on the Namco Super Pac-Man arcade hardware, modified with a horizontal-scrolling video system used in Mappy.

Namco Museum is a series of video game compilations developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for home video game consoles. The first title in the series, Namco Museum Vol. 1, was released for the PlayStation in 1995. Entries in the series have been released for multiple platforms, including the Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS and Xbox 360. the latest being Namco Museum Archives Vol. 2, released in 2020.

<i>Pac-Man World</i> 1999 video game

Pac-Man World is a platform video game developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation. Controlling Pac-Man, the player must complete each of the game's six worlds by collecting a certain amount of pellets to open up an exit door. The plot follows Pac-Man's enemies, the ghosts, crashing his 20th birthday and kidnapping his friends and family to bring them to their homeland of Ghost Island — with his birthday in ruins and his family in trouble, Pac-Man sets out to rescue them and defeat the ghosts.

<i>Dig Dug: Digging Strike</i> 2005 maze video game

Dig Dug: Digging Strike is a 2005 maze video game published by Namco for the Nintendo DS. In Europe, the game was published by Atari Europe. It is the fifth entry in the Dig Dug video game series, and the second to be made for a home platform. The game follows series protagonist Taizo Hori, bitter about his son Susumu getting more attention than him—after a chain of tropical islands is threatened by monsters, Taizo sets out to defeat them and reclaim his fame. Gameplay combines mechanics established in the original Dig Dug and its sequel Dig Dug II, centered around sinking a large "boss" character into the ocean by digging under large stakes in the ground.

<i>Point Blank DS</i> 2006 video game for the Nintendo DS

Point Blank DS is a 2006 lightgun shooter video game developed and published for the Nintendo DS by Namco Bandai Games. It is the fourth entry in the Point Blank series, comprising both new stages and ones taken from the first three games. Players use the touch screen to complete a number of different minigames that vary in terms of mechanics, such as protecting an on-screen character or shooting down a specific target.

<i>Namco Museum DS</i> 2007 video game

Namco Museum DS is a 2007 video game compilation developed by M2 and published by Namco Bandai Games. The game features 7 arcade games previously published by Namco along with a Nintendo DS version of the Nintendo-developed title Pac-Man Vs.

<i>Mr. Driller Online</i> 2008 video game

Mr. Driller Online is a downloadable puzzle video game created by Namco Bandai and released in 2008 for the Xbox 360. It is the fourth game in the Mr. Driller series of puzzle games and re-uses many assets from Mr. Driller Drill Land.

<i>Galaga Legions</i> 2008 video game

Galaga Legions is a 2008 twin-stick shooter video game developed and released by Namco Bandai Games for the Xbox 360. It is the twelfth game in the Galaxian series, and the third developed for home platforms. The player controls a starship, the AEf-7 "Blowneedle", in its efforts to wipe out the Galaga armada. The objective of the game is to clear each of the five stages as quick as possible. Stages have a heavy emphasis on puzzle solving and chain reactions, which are necessary to clear out enemy formations. The Blowneedle has a pair of satellites at its disposal, and can place them anywhere on the screen to fend off enemies.

<i>Mr. Driller W</i> 2009 video game

Mr. Driller W is a 2009 puzzle video game developed and published for the WiiWare service by Namco Bandai Games. The eighth entry in the Mr. Driller series, gameplay revolves around clearing each level by destroying, or "drilling", large formations of colorful blocks. Players have an oxygen meter that acts as a time limit, and constantly depletes; air is replenished by collecting air capsules, and is depleted further by destroying brown "X" blocks.

<i>Resident Evil</i> (2002 video game) Survival horror game

Resident Evil is a survival horror video game developed and published by Capcom. Released for the GameCube video game console in 2002, it is a remake of the 1996 PlayStation game Resident Evil, the first installment in the Resident Evil video game series. The story takes place in 1998 near the fictional Midwestern town of Raccoon City where a series of bizarre murders have taken place. The player takes on the role of either Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, S.T.A.R.S. officers sent in by the city and the R.P.D. to investigate the murders.

<i>Mr. Driller 2</i> 2000 video game

Mr. Driller 2 is a puzzle video game developed and published by Namco, and the second game in the Mr. Driller series. It was released for the arcades in 2000, and was ported to the Game Boy Advance and Windows in 2001, and is available in emulated form via the Virtual Console on the Wii U. The game introduces two new characters to the series, Puchi, and Anna.

<i>Mr. Driller</i> (video game) 1999 video game

Mr. Driller is a 1999 puzzle arcade game developed and published by Namco. Versions for the PlayStation, Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Color, WonderSwan Color, mobile phones, and iOS were also released. Controlling Susumu Hori, the titular "Mr. Driller", the player must dig their way to the bottom of the screen by destroying colored blocks that litter the playfield. Blocks will be cleared if four or more are touching each other, which can be used to cause chain reactions. Susumu has a constantly-depleting oxygen meter that can be refilled by collecting air capsules found throughout stages.

<i>Mr. Driller G</i> 2001 video game

Mr. Driller G is a 2001 puzzle arcade game developed and released in Japan by Namco for its System 10 hardware. It is the third installment in its Mr. Driller series, and the last released for arcades. Controlling one of seven characters, players must make it to the bottom of the level by destroying colorful formations of blocks. G introduces several new ideas to the series, such as power-ups, a story campaign, and online multiplayer.

<i>Mr. Driller A</i> 2002 video game

Mr. Driller A is a 2002 puzzle video game developed and published in Japan by Namco for the Game Boy Advance. The fourth installment in its Mr. Driller series, players control one of seven characters and must make it to the bottom of the level by destroying colorful formations of blocks. A adds several new mechanics to the gameplay of its predecessors, such as a virtual pet named the "Pacteria" that players can grow and care for.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 McFerran, Damien (26 March 2020). "Mr. Driller Finally Makes His Nintendo Switch Debut This June". Nintendo Life . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  2. 1 2 Bandai Namco US [@BandaiNamcoUS] (November 1, 2021). "Mr. DRILLER DrillLand is coming to PlayStation and Xbox consoles this Thursday, November 4! #MDDL" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "第96回 『ミスタードリラー ドリルランド』の巻 ササキMk.IIのゲムッ子日記". Famitsu . Enterbrain. 27 January 2003. Archived from the original on 28 September 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  4. ↑ Kitamura, Takakazu (12 September 2003). "ススム君たちがドリルランドで大活躍! ナムコ、GC「ミスタードリラー ドリルランド」が12月20日に発売決定". GAME Watch. Impress Group. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  5. ↑ "Mr. Driller Drill Land". No. 79. Future Publishing. NGC Magazine. April 2003. pp. 112–113. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 Tanaami, Yohei (18 December 2002). "ナムコ、テーマパーク「ドリルランド」がいよいよ開園 GC「ミスタードリラー ドリルランド」". GAME Watch. Impress Group. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Saeki, Kenji (27 December 2002). "アトラクションめぐりに飽きが来ない 「ミスタードリラー ドリルランド」". GAME Watch. Impress Group. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  8. ↑ Shiina, Go. "Biography". Shiina Go Official Site. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  9. ↑ IGN Staff (17 April 2002). "New Mr. Driller". IGN . Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  10. ↑ IGN Staff (8 May 2002). "Namco Brings GCN Support". IGN . Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  11. ↑ Smith, David (20 September 2002). "TGS 2002: Mr. Driller Drill Land". IGN . Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  12. 1 2 ニンテンドーゲームキューブ - ミスタードリラー ドリルランド. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.103. 30 June 2006.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Gary (6 July 2003). "Import Reviews - Mr. Driller Drill Land". No. 7. Cube. pp. 70–71.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "Mr. Driller Drill Land". No. 4. GamesTM. p. 117. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  15. ↑ "Essentials". No. 5. GamesTM. p. 161. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  16. ↑ "Mr. Driller: Drill Land for Switch Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  17. ↑ Fletcher, JC (18 November 2011). "The 10 best GameCube exclusives (other than the obvious)". Engadget . Archived from the original on 12 May 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  18. ↑ Parish, Jeremy (25 July 2017). "How Can I Play It?: Dig Dug & Mr. Driller". Retronauts. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.