Play Drill Dozer Online

Summary

Drill Dozer stands out on the GBA thanks to its two‑shoulder‑button drill that you spin forward or reverse, letting you grind through blocks, tighten screws, and blast enemies while a built‑in rumble pack shudders with each rotation. Collecting sprockets upgrades your gear, letting you drill longer and smash tougher walls; special drill bits later unlock hidden pathways and even lets you fly or splash through water. The game’s shop lets you spend scavenged treasure on health tanks, maps and quirky upgrades, rewarding the thief‑like reputation you build as you chase a stolen heirloom.

Critics praised the design as wildly innovative, earning E3’s "Most Innovative Design" and later appearing as a summon in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, a testament to its lasting charm. Although it arrived alongside the DS launch and slipped under the radar, it has since been crowned a hidden gem and is repeatedly listed among the greatest GBA titles by retro‑gaming publications.

Storyline

In *Drill Dozer*, the story follows Jill, a spirited teen whose father Doug leads the Red Dozers, a bandit gang. While traveling, Doug is ambushed by the rival Skullkers, who seize the Red Diamond— a cherished gift from Jill’s late mother. Determined to get it back, Jill straps into the titular mech, the Drill Dozer, and sets off on a rescue mission.
Along her trek Jill discovers four additional diamonds, each altering the world around her. The most dangerous is the Dark Diamond, which fuels the alien‑like Skullker leader Croog with supernatural power.
When Jill shatters the Dark Diamond, Croog’s alien visage collapses and he flees in tears, stripped of his strength. With the stolen gems reclaimed, Jill recovers the Red Diamond.
Impressed by her courage, Doug appoints Jill as the new boss of the Red Dozers, cementing her role as the gang’s fearless leader.