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About Rainier

PC gamer, WorthPlaying EIC, globe-trotting couch potato, patriot, '80s headbanger, movie watcher, music lover, foodie and man in black -- squirrel!

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Power Diggerz - Game Guide

by Rainier on Nov. 22, 2001 @ 7:30 p.m. PST

Smash it, crash it, dig it and dump it, 15 tonnes of utter mayhem makes it way onto PS1 in the form of Power Diggerz. Brought to you by JVC and developed by Taito you will discover just how good it feels to wreck things. You can Learn to drive mechanical diggers the unique Japanese way in a multitude of bizarre events ranging from making soup to rescuing turtles.

Check out our previously posted FACTS & SCREENS

Introducing the Stars of the show the Power Diggerz.

PC30

The smallest digger available in the game the PC30 still packs a punch. Compact and nippy it can perform precision digging in the smallest of spaces. The PC30 has a surprising turn of pace for a digger which is very useful in the events where you have to drive against the clock. However it’s lack of power and size means that the PC30 has difficulty matching it’s bigger brothers when it comes to shifting dirt.
Used for the Easy Difficulty Setting in One Player Mode and in Minigames

PC100

A midsize vehicle that has many of the benefits of the other two diggerz and is the ideal vehicle for a careful driver. The choice for the true diggerz connoisseur it is more powerful than the PC30 but suffers none of the awkwardness of the monster PC1100
Used for the Medium Difficulty Setting In One Player Mode and in Minigames.

PC1100

The mother of all diggerz, this vehicle is for the monster truck driver in all of us. This huge beast can shift a vast amount of dirt and wreak buildings in an instant. However it’s vast size makes it unwieldy. This can cost you valuable points in tight situations were it is easy to damage nearby buildings. Only a true master of Power Diggerz will be able to handle it’s raw power. Dare you try ?
Used for the Hard Difficulty Setting In One Player Mode and in Minigames

MINIGAME TIPS

GENERAL TIPS

Choose the more difficult events first as they are easier at the start of your game. Sneakily the game ramps up the difficulty level the more events you complete. For example if you choose the turtle event early on you will have to rescue two turtles. However choose this event later in the game and the number to rescue will be increased. One general tip to use in the game is if you are having real difficulties is to stick the difficulty level on easy and you will be given more time on events. Also make careful use of your continues as the events are made easier if you fail and continue. One last thing is to remember to use the select button to change views in certain events as this can greatly enhance your chances of success.


EVENTS

BUY EXACT AMOUNT

Here you have characters from Taito’s illustrious past such as the aliens from Space Invader sitting on giant cash registers with certain values.
The best tactic to use is to do a quick sweep of the numbers to tot up the value required, random number punching rarely works. This may seem rather slow but it will save you time in the long run. (If your mum and dad ever say that videogames are a waste of time, show them this game and tell them it has improved your maths.)

DESTROY THE SHED AND BRING DOWN THE POLE

Press select as soon as the timer starts to give you an external view which makes this event much easier. The best method is to destroy the front of the shed which will bring the roof down. Then use a side to side motion with the digger arm to bring down the sides and drive straight ahead to bring the back wall down. Keep moving forward and don’t forget to knock the pole over at the end or you won’t complete the event.

DRIVE TO THE GOAL

Generally it is easier to take the route with the disappearing platforms because if you fall off you lose less time than when you are hit by electric bolts on the other routes. Also take the route with the disappearing platforms followed by solid platforms as it is easier to negotiate than just the disappearing platforms on their own. Remember you can reverse your digger if you get in a tricky situation. Take it slowly, careful driving is the essence of this game.

COOK CURRY

Keep an eye on the signs so you know which strength curry to use and to position yourself to scoop up the next order. As in the turtle level the best method is to dip your digging arm in and out of the curry bowls rather than trying to use the bucket. Take it slow so you don’t spill any soup as this can cost you valuable time.

GET TO EXIT USING DIGGING ARM

A test of patience and skill, the thing to remember is Triangle is down and X is up. In the heat of the moment this can be forgotten and ruin your chances of completing the course.

RESCUING TURTLES

An incredibly tricky event to catch some slippery turtles. Your best bet is to go for the golden turtle which will earn you three turtle points and put you well on your way to completing the level. The method to use is to dip your digger arm in and out of the water to scoop up the turtles. If you try to move your bucket it probably makes it more difficult to catch the little rascals. This task is all a question of timing and judgement. The water can make it awkward to determine if the turtle is directly above your bucket, it is easier to wait until they are as near as possible to the digger before nabbing them. Also they are much easier to grab the closer they are to the surface. Be careful when you release the turtles into your pool that you don’t miss, it is incredibly annoying to rescue a turtle and have it escape because you are careless.

DIG A DEEP HOLE

Use a nice smooth motion to dig down the required distance. This event is quite a challenge but try to concentrate on one area and you should succeed.

LOAD THE SAND INTO A TRUCK

An easy event, try to make each bucketful count with as much dirt as possible to beat the timer. Try to judge the amounts so you scoop more than is required for extra points.

DESTROY THE CAR

Probably the easiest event in the game but also one of the most enjoyable. The car has three sections to destroy, the front, middle and back. Focus on each section until it bursts into flames to signal it is destroyed then move on to the next. In no time the car will be a scrap pile.


BONUS MINI GAMES

DIGGER BOWLING

A very tricky event. The knack to hitting the dolls is to bounce the ball into the floor then onto the dolls. This is done by swinging the digger arm and bringing it down on top of the ball to bounce it in the direction of the dolls. Another method is to lower the digging arm to the ground, swing it towards the ball and raise it just as you reach the ball, this should lift it towards the dolls. The key to this event is to lift the ball, if you hit it head on it will fly to low.

DESTROY THE ROCKETS

Keep an eye on your radar in the bottom left of the screen to see where the rockets are coming from, stay on the move and smash the little follows into space. Keep your arm extended so you have time to hit them as far away from you as possible and also giving you more time to stop them destroying you. Remember you get two lives so don’t panic and get smashing.

DESTROY THE CLOCKWORK EGGMEN

Tap a platform in the direction that the eggman are walking to make it turn red then wait and tap it again just as they are about to step on it. This shouldn’t give you to many problems as the eggmen are not to bright and don’t usually change direction.


BONUS TECHNICIAN MODE
(SECRET TIME TRIAL)

WHACK A MOLE

Drive up close to the moles so it is easier to take them out, position your digging arm above each hole and wait for them to pop up. Use an up and down motion to whack’em as you don’t need to bother with the bucket. Smash them one by one and this event should be no problem to complete.

DESTROY THE HOUSE FRAMEWORK

The secret here is to manoeuvre your digger around the house destroying one section at a time. Be careful not to miss pieces of framework as some of them are quite small. Take your time and be methodical.

DESTROY THE CAR

Drive up close to the car and focus on one section of the car at a time. Wait until it bursts into flames to signal it is finished then move on to the next section.

LOAD THE SAND INTO A TRUCK

Position the digger close to the dirt and the truck but give yourself room to work. Get cracking on the digging as soon as possible because you are given a large target to reach. Make each bucketful count with as much dirt as possible, having a couple of half empty buckets will cost you dearly in this stage.


TRAINING (LICENCE KING)

GENERAL TIPS

Remember that as well as being a test of your speed the training is also a measure of your skill. You will be penalised points and time for spilling sand, knocking over cones etc. This not only effects whether you pass an event (If you fall below 80 points you will fail the level) but what sort of licence you will receive. If you achieve an average of above 95 for the 10 events you will be awarded the special Gold Licence, and 100 points with no continues a Platinum licence. This is only awarded to the finest Power Diggerz in the world. Remember you get unlimited continues so keep trying.


EVENTS

KNOCK OVER THE POLES

Pretty straightforward, you shouldn’t need any help with this level, if you do then you are in serious trouble.

DRIVING BACK AND FORTH

Again there is little to be said about this level. Drive straight ahead over the flags then reverse back to match the shadow digger.

DRIVING TEST

Quite tricky, take your time, keep a close eye on the cones and remember to reverse if you are out of position.

SAND SCOOPING

Easy event, however be careful not to spill sand, hit the truck/ground or this will cost you valuable time and points

DRIVE AND SCOOP SAND

Get yourself in a good position between the truck and the sand to begin work. When you have enough sand in the truck move your digging arm back into it’s original position and start to reverse. The most difficult part is matching up with the shadow digger. Get into position early and you will have a better chance at completing this level.

DRIVE AND DIG A DEEP HOLE

An incredibly difficult level, but persevere and you will get there in the end. Concentrate on one area and dig as much as possible, then move on when the percentage rating stops increasing. The reversal into the shadow digger is also a bit of a toughie and should be done slowly, easier said than done against the clock.

FLATTEN THE SAND MOUND

After the mega difficulty of the previous level this comes as a welcome surprise. Extend the bucket as far as it will go and use up and down and side to side motions to even out the sand mound. You should be able to complete this event fairly quickly.

BURY THE LONG HOLE

The difficulty level is ramped up high now and you will have to use all of your digging skills to succeed. Release a small amount of sand at a time into the hole and keep adjusting your digging arm so you don’t spill any excess. The mound of dirt that you dig from is quite small so any spillage prove costly. Also look at the shadow of your digging bucket so you can accurately tell where you are dropping the sand. Keep an eye on what parts of the hole are flashing white as they are the sections that need to be filled. Don’t waste any dirt or time filling in areas that are already complete.

DESTROY THE ROCK

The rock can be smashed twice into small pieces. You can’t destroy the smaller pieces so brush them aside to the right so they don’t interfere with the diggerz tracks or the rest of the level. Start to reverse into position before you get to the end as it is to difficult to manoeuvre later. Once you are in position use your digging arm to knock over the last two flags.

CARRY GOODS

Considering this is the last test it is not that difficult, especially considering some of the previous events. The major point to remember is to not move the digging arm once you have scooped up the ball from the pool otherwise it will fall out.

GAME SECRETS

Earn money in the various events to open up a multitude of secrets. Some of these bonuses are very expensive so you had better get digging.

GET IT WITH THE POWER SHOVEL
In this mode you can purchase

  • Photo Gallery
  • FMV footage of real diggerz in action
  • Sound effects from the game
  • Three extra minigames
  • Extra Continues
  • Bonus Technician Mode

WATCH THE POWER SHOVEL ! LISTEN !

You can watch and listen to your recently purchased rewards.


ONE PLAYER MODE

EASY MODE PC30

SCOOP SAND INTO TRUCK

A gentle introduction to the world of Power Diggerz. Just follow the guide and you should have no problems with this event.

DIVE AND LOAD SAND INTO TRUCK

Drive carefully into position next to the truck and dirt heap being careful not to run over the cones. Use the skills learnt in the previous event to scoop out the sand. Three full scoops should earn the required amount to pass this event.

DESTROY THE CAR

The old favourite returns, smash the car up in stages to complete the easy skill settings.

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