Boulder Dash is a maze puzzle title, very much in the vein of Dig Dug, in which players guide the protagonist Rockford through dirt-filled caves in search of enough valuable gems to unlock the exit and advance to the next level. Gamers can move Rockford in any direction, though brick walls inhibit some movement, amoebas can expand to block pathways, and digging under boulders can cause rockslides that are deadly to both Rockford and his enemies. The ultimate goal is to earn high scores and advance through each level before time expires.