Step right up, folks, and get ready to dig into a true arcade gem! While Pac-Man and Donkey Kong often steal the spotlight, there's another quirky character from the golden age of arcades who deserves a shout-out: Mr. Do!. This charming clown with a shovel offered a unique twist on the maze game genre, captivating players with cherries, apples, and bizarre monsters back in 1982.
Developed by Universal, Mr. Do! wasn't just another coin-op; it was notable for being one of the first arcade games primarily sold as a conversion kit, allowing operators to swap out older, less popular games for this new hit. And a hit it was, finding commercial success in both Japan and North America and spawning a whole series of sequels. But today, we're focusing on the original, the one that started it all.
The Arcade Original: A Unique Gem
Released into arcades when the industry was booming, Mr. Do! stood out with its colorful graphics and distinctive gameplay loop. While it shared the maze-digging concept with games like Dig Dug, it layered on mechanics that gave it a flavor all its own.
At its heart, the game is about navigating a grid of tunnels, digging new paths, and collecting goodies, all while avoiding danger.
Digging In: Gameplay Mechanics
Playing Mr. Do! puts you in control of the titular character, a clown (or snowman, depending on where you played it!). Your primary goal is to clear each level by collecting all the cherries scattered throughout the maze. Simple, right? Not so fast!
You're constantly pursued by pesky red monsters known as Creeps. To survive and clear the level, you have a few tools at your disposal:
- Digging: Use your joystick to carve tunnels through the dirt. This is how you reach cherries and create paths.
- Power Ball: Mr. Do! carries a single bouncing power ball. Hitting a Creep with it defeats them. The catch? While the ball is bouncing, you're defenseless until it returns to you or hits a monster. Timing is key!
- Apples: Large, round apples are scattered throughout the dirt. If you dig underneath one, it becomes unstable. Dig out the space below it, and it will drop. A dropped apple can crush any monster (or even Mr. Do! himself!) below it. Be careful – apples break if they fall too far, and they can definitely end your run if you're not paying attention.
- 'EXTRA' Letters: As you score points, letters occasionally appear. Collecting all five letters that spell 'EXTRA' grants you an extra life and triggers a fun little cutscene. Watch out for the letter monsters, though – they can interfere with your apples!
- Food Item & Blue Monsters: Once all the initial Creeps have spawned, their generator turns into a food item. Collecting this item freezes all existing Creeps and summons a new set of fast-moving, but vulnerable, blue monsters. Defeating these blue guys gives big points!
- Diamonds: Very rarely, dropping an apple might reveal a shimmering diamond. Collect this diamond, and you instantly clear the level and get a massive bonus score, sometimes even an extra credit depending on the arcade machine setup.
More Than Just Digging: Strategic Layers
What elevates Mr. Do! beyond a simple maze game is the interaction between its elements. Do you focus on digging for cherries? Or do you try to strategically drop apples to clear out large groups of monsters? Do you risk using your power ball when surrounded? The dynamic between digging, dropping apples, and using the power ball creates surprisingly deep strategic possibilities. Learning how monsters react to tunnels and falling apples is crucial for survival.
From Arcades to Living Rooms: Home Ports
Like many successful arcade games of the era, Mr. Do! made its way to numerous home computers and consoles. Ports appeared on systems like the Atari 2600, Atari 8-bit family, Apple II, Commodore 64, MSX, ColecoVision, and later on the NES and Super NES (often with variations or as part of compilations). While some ports captured the arcade magic better than others, they allowed gamers to experience the fun outside the arcade.
Legacy and Impact
Mr. Do! wasn't just a fleeting success; its impact was felt in several ways. Its commercial success, particularly as a conversion kit, influenced how arcade games were distributed. The game's unique mechanics inspired numerous clones on home systems. It also spawned several official sequels in the arcade, including Mr. Do's Castle, Mr. Do's Wild Ride, and Do! Run Run, each putting a different spin on the core concept. Its charm and solid gameplay have kept it in the minds of retro enthusiasts for decades.
How to Play Mr. Do! Today
Feeling that nostalgic itch? The good news is that Mr. Do! is readily available for modern retro gamers:
- Emulation: The most common way is through arcade emulators like MAME, which accurately replicates the original arcade experience. Many home computer ports can also be played via emulators like DOSBox (for PC versions), VICE (for C64), or Stella (for Atari 2600).
- Digital Stores: Keep an eye on digital storefronts like GOG.com or Steam; sometimes classic compilations or individual titles appear there.
- Online Archives: Websites like Archive.org host browser-playable versions of many classic computer ports, offering a quick way to jump in. [Consider adding a link to Archive.org's software library here if appropriate].
- Modern Collections: The game has appeared on various modern retro collections for consoles over the years.
Whether you're experiencing it for the first time or revisiting an old friend, Mr. Do! remains a delightful and challenging piece of arcade history.
FAQ
Q: Who developed Mr. Do!? A: The original arcade game was developed by Universal in 1982.
Q: What's the main goal in Mr. Do! gameplay? A: The primary goal is to collect all the cherries in the maze. You can also clear a level by defeating all monsters, spelling 'EXTRA', or finding a hidden diamond.
Q: Are there different ways to defeat monsters? A: Yes, you can hit them with your single power ball or crush them with falling apples.
Q: Were there sequels to Mr. Do!? A: Yes, Universal created several arcade sequels, including Mr. Do's Castle, Mr. Do's Wild Ride, and Do! Run Run, among others.
Conclusion
Mr. Do! stands as a testament to the creativity and innovation of the early 1980s arcade scene. Its blend of digging, puzzle-solving with apples, and action with the power ball created a unique gameplay loop that's still fun today. So next time you're exploring retro games, don't forget this charming clown. Grab your virtual shovel and start digging – there are cherries (and maybe a diamond!) waiting!
