Dig Dug

Side Special
 Up Special
 Down Special
 Final Smash
 Extra Skill
 Franchise
 Game of Origin
 Release Date of Origin
 Other Appearances
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## **Character Info**

Taizo Hori, better known to the masses as Dig Dug, breaks new ground to join the Smash Bros. roster! In his classic arcade game the eponymous excavator takes on enemies called Pookas and Fygars, using a drill to tunnel underground and an air pump to inflate them ’til they burst. Speaking of which, Pookas were included as an enemy type in the Smash Run mode in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, weren’t they? What, did you think those guys were only there as a coincidence?

## **General Information**

### **Entrance**

Dig Dug jogs in and pulls his drill off from his backpack.

### **Kirby Hat**

Kirby wears a white and blue helmet with a transparent visor in front and red studs on the sides.

### **Taunts**

**Up Taunt:**  A small rock falls on Dig Dugs head, nearly knocking him off balance.

**Down Taunt:** Dig Dug spins around the cable of his harpoon before retracting it.

**Side Taunt:**  Dig Dug collapses in mock exhaustion before standing up, imitating his animation when struck by an enemy.

### **Victory Poses**

1. Dig Dug is seen inflating a Pooka to bursting point; it pops just as his name splashes onscreen.
2. Dig Dug’s drill breaks through the ground and his upper body pops out; he sees a flower suddenly bloom next to him, indicating he has cleared the stage.
3. The camera zooms in on a stack of coloured blocks, as Dig Dug is seen drilling down from above to break through them all one by one, before hoisting his drill and grinning (based on gameplay from Mr. Driller).

## **Moveset**

### **Standard Special**

**Harpoon Pump:** Dig Dug shoots his harpoon out a short distance in front of him. It works as a sort of command grab, trapping players hit by the harpoon in place. Repeatedly pressing B will make Dig Dug pump air into the opponent, dealing damage with each pump and sending them flying after 5 successful pumps. This move does not actually inflate the opponent (thank goodness), but more damage will result in further knock-back. Harpooned opponents may be able to mash out depending on how fast Dig Dug presses B and how much damage they have.

### **Side Special**

**Digging Strike:** Dig Dug charges forward distance wielding a spinning excavation drill, which can drag along multiple opponents. He can also jump during the move (similar to the Jill assist trophy from Brawl). He stops after some distance or when hitting a wall.

### **Up Special**

**Taizo Tunnel:** Dig Dug uses a recovery that involves up the Taizo meter, allowing for enhanced mobility (see the Extra Skill section).

### **Down Special**

**Jackhammer:** Dig Dug brings out a jackhammer and drills into the ground at his feet. This sets an invisible trap that will bury any opponent that walks across it (similar to the Pitfall item’s effect). Using the jackhammer in a different area will cause the old one to be reset. The effect lasts roughly 12 seconds before disappearing.

### **Final Smash**

**Island Excavation:** Dig Dug begins his Final Smash by activating a Lightning power-up, surrounding him with a lightning shield that sends out a short range pulse around him. Hit opponents are launched into a cinematic cutscene, landing paralyzed onto an island covered in grass. Dig Dug drills into a fault line, causing the area the opponents are lying on to break off and sink quaking into the ocean, dealing continuous damage. Any opponents that surpass 100% damage are instantly KO’d. This sequence is based on gameplay from Dig Dug II.

### **Extra Skill**

**Taizo Meter:** Dig Dug has a special mechanic that uses a unique meter. When activating his Up Special, Dig Dug will begin moving in any compass direction the player wishes while holding B in midair, and can change direction instantly. This movement mimics that of his original game while digging through the ground. Once activated, the Taizo meter will deplete after a few seconds; Dig Dug will enter free-fall if B is released or the meter runs out. The meter will slowly refill over time - while the recovery move can be used before it is full, there will be less available, which can lead to severely restricted movement. The meter slowly refills on its own while on the ground.

## **Alternate Costumes**

1. **Taizo Hori [Default]**
2. **Taizo Hori [Pooka]** - A red and yellow alt based on Pooka.
3. **Taizo Hori [Fygar]** - A green and red alt based on Fygar.
4. **Taizo Hori [Player 2]** - A yellow costume based on Player 2’s appearance from Dig Dug Arrangement.

By the way, Dig Dug’s son Susumu Hori, better known as Mr. Driller, is also playable as a costume swap!

1. **Susumu Hori [Default]**
2. **Susumu Hori [Anna]** - An orange, blue and yellow alt based on Anna.
3. **Susumu Hori [Holinger-Z]** - A beige and black alt based on Holinger-Z.
4. **Susumu Hori [Ataru]** - A carbon, teal and red alt based on Ataru.

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## **Associated Content**

Click Here to read a vignette written by KellyJelly about Dig Dug interacting with characters from Super Smash Bros.!