Dig 'em

About

Dig 'em is a single-player arcade game where you dig through underground tunnels to evade and eliminate monsters. You control a character armed with a shovel and an air pump, digging paths to escape while battling two types of enemies. The pump inflates foes until they burst, and strategically placed rocks can crush them. If left unchecked, monsters fade into ghostly forms that pass through walls and can't be destroyed. Progress by clearing all enemies per level, and manage four lives before a game over. Released in 1982 for the Apple II, Dig 'em sticks close to its Dig Dug roots but adds the ghost mechanic as a tense twist. The balance between evasion and attack keeps each level tight, though the lack of later-era polish shows. It’s a brisk, retro challenge that leans into simplicity, with deaths often hinging on split-second decisions. The ghost risk forces adaptive play, making every pause in action feel risky.