Mr. Driller Drill Spirits
Encyclopedia
Mr. Driller Drill Spirits is a game developed by Namco
for the Nintendo DS
. The game is part of the "Mr. Driller
" series of games. The game was released in Japan and North America to coincide with the Nintendo DS
launch (2004). The North American version lacks certain features found in the Japanese version, notably the Dristone game mode, single-card multiplayer, the moon stage in Mission mode and the character of Rabbit (Usagi). These were reinstated for the later European release, as well as the Australian release.
The game takes advantage of the dual screens of the Nintendo DS. The touch screen is used as an alternative control method and the two screens are used as a form of longscreen, or to show a boss on the top screen in the pressure driller mode.
Characters:
There are 6 characters in the North American version of the game, and 7 in the Japanese and European versions.
Susumu Hori is the main character, son of Taizo Hori. The game has his older brother, Ataru; his friend Anna, the robot Hollinger-Z; Taizo, the head of the driller council, and Puchi, their dog.
The game features three single player game modes and a multiplayer race.
The player attempts to drill through increasingly deeper and more difficult levels in order to unlock more characters.
The player must outrun a huge drill and collect power capsules which can be shot at the drill to destroy it.
The player attempts to complete a short level quickly while gathering time bonuses.
The player attempts to dig through a level, drilling as little as possible. 1% of air is consumed for each block drilled. There are special powerups called "dristones" which can change block colours, destroy blocks, increase the player's air meter, provide a protective shield, etc.
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
for the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
. The game is part of the "Mr. Driller
Mr. Driller
is a series of video games developed by Namco. Mr. Driller puts the player in the role of a driller moving down through screens of blocks, having to keep his air supply from running out while avoiding being squashed by falling blocks...
" series of games. The game was released in Japan and North America to coincide with the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
launch (2004). The North American version lacks certain features found in the Japanese version, notably the Dristone game mode, single-card multiplayer, the moon stage in Mission mode and the character of Rabbit (Usagi). These were reinstated for the later European release, as well as the Australian release.
The game takes advantage of the dual screens of the Nintendo DS. The touch screen is used as an alternative control method and the two screens are used as a form of longscreen, or to show a boss on the top screen in the pressure driller mode.
Characters:
There are 6 characters in the North American version of the game, and 7 in the Japanese and European versions.
Susumu Hori is the main character, son of Taizo Hori. The game has his older brother, Ataru; his friend Anna, the robot Hollinger-Z; Taizo, the head of the driller council, and Puchi, their dog.
The game features three single player game modes and a multiplayer race.
Single player modes
- Mission Driller mode
The player attempts to drill through increasingly deeper and more difficult levels in order to unlock more characters.
- Pressure Driller mode
The player must outrun a huge drill and collect power capsules which can be shot at the drill to destroy it.
- Time attack mode
The player attempts to complete a short level quickly while gathering time bonuses.
- Dristone Driller mode (Japanese, European, and Australian versions only)
The player attempts to dig through a level, drilling as little as possible. 1% of air is consumed for each block drilled. There are special powerups called "dristones" which can change block colours, destroy blocks, increase the player's air meter, provide a protective shield, etc.