Lode Runner IV: Teikoku Karano Dasshutsu Arcade FAQ
(Escape from the Empire)
version 1.0.0
copyright 2006 by Andrew Schultz schultz.andrew@sbcglobal.net

Please do not reproduce this FAQ for profit without my prior consent. 
However, if you write a polite e-mail to me referring to me(and this FAQ) by 
name, then I will probably say OK. But if I ignore you that means no--and I 
am bad about answering e-mail. Sorry.

Also, note that this FAQ is obsolete. If you want to see tricks, go to
http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm5879143

If you need to create an account to log in, as BugMeNot can be flaky, go to
http://audiophysical.squarespace.com/blog/2009/8/25/how-to-register-for-nico-
nico-douga.html

In general you can find video walkthroughs for Japanese games by going to a 
place like strategywiki.org and then versions of the game.

================================

            OUTLINE

  1. INTRODUCTION

    1-1. BASIC LODE RUNNER

    1-2. DIFFERENCES FOR THE ARCADE GAME VS EARLY PC

  2. CONTROLS

  3. SCORING AND LEVEL DIVISIONS

  4. WALKTHROUGH

(search for 4-(level #) for a particular walkthrough)

  5. VERSIONS

  6. CREDITS

================================

  1. INTRODUCTION

    1-1. BASIC LODE RUNNER

Lode Runner's a simple old game. You are equipped with a gun that can dig 
holes in soft ground, which allow you to fall through them or trap enemies 
who chase you albeit at a slower pace. If the hole closes over the enemy, he 
regenerates at the top. Your object is to pick up all the gold in a level 
full of ladders and ropes and hard ground and even false ground and climb to 
the top of the level(a flashing ladder in the Arcade case.) If the bad guys 
catch you or you fall into your own trap and get swallowed up, you lose. The 
game is grid based so there are only exact spots where you can dig. It was 
originally created by Doug Smith and has gone through several incarnations on 
different platforms.

Some feature very similar levels across platforms; for instance the NES 
version takes 50 levels, most of which map to an Apple II level(where the 
game was originally ported) minus a few rows. The SNES and Turbografx appear 
to pretty up some old levels without offering new challenges. All ports that 
maintain the grid structure and basic icons have slightly different AIs and 
some have completely different levels or neat new power-ups(the PSX version--
LR and LR extra--has bombs which permanently destroy part of a level, or a 
stun gun), some are wickedly tough(GBA Lode Runner, Apple Championship Lode 
Runner--not a port, but just a shifting of levels) and some go off in 
different directions entirely(Lode Runner 2(PC) is 3-d isometric and looks 
like Q*Bert; Nintendo 64's has you walking almost on wire structures and has 
some vicious plants that attack you. But it works.)

The arcade versions have some old levels and some new ones, but given that 
the monsters are faster and smarter there's enough fresh air that many that 
were trivial in old versions of Lode Runner are challenging--especially when 
you get point bonuses for efficient form.

From what I saw on the net Teikoku Karano Dasshutsu translates to "empire 
escape from" if you take that literally, so putting on my in-no-way-dorky 
Grammar Deciphering Hat I suspect this means "escape from the empire."

    1-2. DIFFERENCES FOR THE ARCADE GAME VS EARLY PC

Of course the arcade version doesn't allow you to create levels, sadly. It's 
there to eat your money. So it has a selection of pretty tough levels. Lode 
Runner I has 24 of them; II-IV have 30. Each group of 3 levels has a 
different set of monsters but the only difference is visual. They don't work 
together, and they all have the same AI, so they do tend to clump together 
for your advantage.

First thing you'll notice is that your enemies are much faster than in the PC 
version. Also, aren't stupid. They try to get horizontally level with you and 
run at you. If you climb up the bottom of the ladder, they won't run away. 
Hey, it was an arcade game, they needed as many quick deaths as they could 
get.

The icons are arranged a bit differently. The board is 24x32, with people and 
gold being 1x2 icons. The result is that some platforms that look like they 
are level with each other, aren't. This means that sometimes when you dig you 
will have a pit half your size. You can't jump out of it. You have to avoid 
it.

This gets sticky but on the other hand you can grab gold while on a rope if 
the gold is right below the rope--and you can dig under a rope, although 
enemies won't fall into the holes you dig. It's more for escape.

~
$
$ <i gold piece actually. You can grab it.

XXX*
XXX*XXXX <i dig looks like this.
XXXXXXXX  You fall in.

You also get bonuses at level's end for winning quickly and/or without 
trapping or killing enemies. And sometimes you get a break with regard to 
enemies not being killed. You and enemies both walk over healing holes, while 
in most other installations it is death to do so. This is more immediately 
risky for you if you've laid out a few holes in a row hoping to trap enemies 
but makes the no-kill bonuses easier to achieve for a skilled player.

  2. CONTROLS

If you are playing from MAME the controls may be a bit tricky, with the left 
CTRL and left ALT being used to dig. I set P1 button 1 to Z and P1 button 2 
to X, so you can use those to dig left and right respectively.

If you try to move diagonally, up/down override left/right. So if you want to 
get on that ladder, it works, but to get off it you have to push left/right 
explicitly.

If you want to dig or fall, note that your movement is quantized. A Lode 
Runner board is 24x32 with your icon being 1x2 and there's no way to, say, 
fall in the middle of a column. You'll automatically shimmy to the nearest 
one and fall. Also note it takes time to dig, so if an enemy is too nearby, 
he'll walk over what you dug and get to you.

You should also note that it takes time to get off a ladder. So if an enemy 
is in too-hot pursuit you may be out of luck, and you need to take that into 
account when approaching an enemy. In fact it can be tough to get off a 
ladder sometimes RIGHT when you want so you may want to fall from above.

You'll also notice that you can jump up a bit for the rope. Icons are now 
every half-human-height, so the rope may not be right where you can grab it.

yes yes no

         ~
     ~
 ~

H   H   H

The whole thing about icons not being the same size as you or your enemies is 
very important also when dealing with where to dig holes or walk. For 
instance, if you have this:

HXX
HXXXX
HXXXX

Digging right from the ladder won't let you go right. It will create;

H
H  XX
HXXXX

  3. SCORING AND LEVEL DIVISIONS

You lose a man if you run out of time, touch an enemy, get killed in a hole 
you dug, or wind up in a space you can't get out of. The game can detect when 
you are trapped, sometimes, too. "YOU ARE BOUND TO DIE" and you restart from 
there.

You get 200 for each chest, 100 for each guy you entrap, and 100 for each guy 
you kill.

Extra men at 50000.

You get bonuses for various tricks.
--walking over a group of 3 guys in a row you entrapped=3000
--landing on a guy after falling=1000
--sealing off your enemies where they can't get to you=10000

If you complete a level with more than half the original time remaining, you 
get double the bonus time amount. When you have 1/4 of your time remaining, a 
tune plays every 100 points to remind you. You lose about 50 bonus points per 
second.
Without entrapment(i.e. digging to trap a guy): 20000
Killed no enemies(no one gets stuck in a hole): 10000

This allows for interesting sub-puzzles for handling levels efficiently. Of 
course it's not always possible to get whichever bonus, but you can try.

Each block of 3 levels gets you a new group of enemies. They think the same 
and are just as fast, but they look different. They're all about equally 
weird and lethal.

Levels 1-3 have little crawly hedgehogs.
Levels 4-6 have blue penguin-chickens.
Levels 7-9 have ostrich heads on legs.
Levels 10-12 have horny green dinosaur heads on feet.
Levels 13-15 have orange radioactive looking chickens.
Levels 16-18 have potatoes in red shorts.
Levels 19-21 have weird slurpy brains in blue pantaloons.
Levels 22-24 have weird little radioactive doggy things.
Levels 25-27 have weird mumbly toady brains.
Levels 28-30 have vaguely space alien things, but they don't quite look like 
brains any more.

The default high score list:
98700 TRK 6 78900 MYS 04
95800 VIA 5 74800 OOY 03
94680 GYR 5 72320 TKU 03
92250 AAA 5 64700 EUN 04
90100 MTO 6 61120 NRD 03
89800 ETN 4 56260 AAA 03
88630 BEN 5 54300 IIN 02
85280 AIA 4 48740 NSE 02
83740 KRN 4 32600 DE. 02
80320 AUI 4 28760 AI. 02

  4. WALKTHROUGH

The level map ledger is as follows:
- = them
+ = you
h = ladder on level complete
X = ground(can dig)
* = cement(no dig)
~ = rope(can climb across)
$ = gold
v = fake ground(fall through)
# = blocks you can push that don't fall
! = blocks that reveal themselves when you drop on them
& = 

Therer are two pieces you didn't see in earlier Lode Runner arcade versions: 
the last two. For invisible blocks, you need to note that enemies are subject 
to them too. You just won't see them revealed. Sort of like how fake bricks 
only change color if you step on them.

Blocks you can push are another matter. You can't squash an enemy or gold 
piece with them and they aren't affected by gravity. You can push a block 
without moving--there's a bit of time to do that, then a bit of time to move-
-enough for enemies to catch up with you from behind. You can push a block 
left or right as long as you're just left or right of it and there's no wall 
or gold or enemy on the other side--ladders, ropes, etc. are OK. And they are 
not crushed by when you move the blocks.

Note that reading ther level map may reveal certain locations that you didn't 
want to as those puzzles can be fun to figure out, i.e. where are the false 
bricks/invisible bricks? Though if you're reading this faq you probably want 
to plow through.

    4-1. LEVEL 1

    h
    h
 $  h
 $  h
XXXXH     $      ~~~~ $
XXXXH     $           $
    HXXXXXXXXXXXX    XXX
    HXXXXXXXXXXXX    XXX
    H-     ~~~~~~~~~~  -
    H-                 -
    XXXXHXX         $XXH
    XXXXHXX         $XXH
$       H         XXXXXH
$       H         XXXXXH
XXXH    H      $XXXXXXXH
XXXH    H      $XXXXXXXH
XXXXXXXHXXXX XXXXX$    H
XXXXXXXHXXXX XXXXX$    H
    $  H        XXXXXXXH
    $  H        XXXXXXXH
XXHXXXXH    $   -  XXXXH
XXHXXXXH    $   -  XXXXH
  H    XXXXXXXXXH      H
  H    XXXXXXXXXH      H
  H             HXXXXXXX
  H             HXXXXXXX
  H    -  $     H     $
  H    -  $     H     $
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************

Note: if you get bored of things during this walkthrough you can just start 
digging enemies up. However, I think even if you don't care about the bonus 
I've outlined a quick way through.

Go right, get gold, then go up the left side to the UL. Then when people get 
close go all the way to the right. When they get close, drop down on the rope 
for the gold and go left. Get the gold on the left side and 2-1 dig off to 
the left. If you waited 'til the last possible minute then you can go down 
and right to get the gold in the corner, then L-U-R-U-L for the gold in the 
narrow cave from the right side. Dig below it to get out and run to the UL.

Of course you may have problems if an enemy wants to hold on to some gold, 
but run them around a bit and you can still probably get the triple-time 
bonus to go with your 20000. I've gotten 7370x3.

    4-2. LEVEL 2

 h                    h
 h                    h
 h -                  h
 h -                  h
 HXXXXXXHXXXXXXHXXXXXXH
 HXXXXXXHXXXXXXHXXXXXXH
 H $X$ XHXXXXXXHXX$X$ H
 H $X$ XHXXXXXXHXX$X$ H
 HXXXXXXHXX$$XXHXXXXXXH
 HXXXXXXHXX$$XXHXXXXXXH
 H      H  XX  H   +  H
 H      H  XX  H   +  H
  XXXXXXHXXXXXXHXXXXXX
  XXXXXXHXXXXXXHXXXXXX
  X $   H-     H   $ XX
  X $   H-     H   $ XX
  XXXXXXHXXXXXXHXXXXX
  XXXXXXHXXXXXXHXXXXX
    X   HX$    H X    !
    X   HX$    H X    !
  XXX   HX    XH XXX
  XXX   HX    XH XXX
  X$    H    $XH  $X !$
  X$    H    $XH  $X !$
  XXXXX HXXXXXXH XXX
  XXXXX HXXXXXXH XXX
        H      H$    -
        H      H$    -
XXXX**XXXXXXXXXXXX**XXXX
XXXX**XXXXXXXXXXXX**XXXX
************************

This level is your first introduction to the invisible blocks. Fortunately 
there's not much of a puzzle here.

Go L-U and 2-1 dig to get to the entombed gold. Wait for the enemy to pass by 
below and go static on the right and go up the stairs and dig down for the 
gold on the DR structure. Then you can go up the ladder and left and dig over 
the bottom center suspended gold. Wait around and one enemy will fall off to 
the right. It gets to be a scramble here but if you can get enemies to run 
after you and then you fall, you can lead them on a chase to get the up-
center gold(2-1 dig) and wait. You can dig out to the side with 0 or 1 
enemies.

With luck it's the left and you can get the UL gold and then fall down to get 
the stuff in the DL structure. After everyone falls get the gold in the 2-
platform. Here you can wait to make enemies lump in the UR.

The toughh part here is getting the big bonus and if you want to do so, lead 
your enemies along the top--you may have to drop to the bottom to fake them 
out--then get the UR gold in the enclave and, from the left ladder, dig down, 
fall and dig down. Now the enemies will be coming from the UR so they won't 
fall on you.

Drop left and then drop right to get the gold. You may have some enemies who 
still have gold, so lead them along the bottom, dig 3 holes, and get gold 
from whoever lets it go.

    4-3. LEVEL 3

   h
   h
   h ~  ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~
   h
   h $ H &-X          H
   h $ H &-X          H
   h   H***X         $H
   h   H***X         $H
   hX   $     $      XH
   hX   $     $      XH
   hXXXXXX**H**XXXXXXXH
   hXXXXXX**H**XXXXXXXH
   h        H         H
   h        H         H
  hXh  $    H   $    XH
  hXh  $    H   $    XH
  hXXXX**XXXHXXX**XXXXH
  hXXXX**XXXHXXX**XXXXH
  h$        H        $H
  h$        H        $H
  Xh       $H        XH
  Xh       $H        XH
  **XXXHXX*XX*XXHXXX**H
  **XXXHXX*XX*XXHXXX**H
       H    $   H     H
       H    $   H     H
XXXXXXXHXXX**XXXHXXX**H$
XXXXXXXHXXX**XXXHXXX**H$
$$H*$  HXXXXXXXXH  $XXXX
$$H*$  HXXXXXXXXH  $XXXX
************************

No one gold is especially tough here, but with bad guys buzzing all around 
it's hard not to trap them. First note the little silver block you need to 
push left--it defies gravity once you push it off. Go over it to get on the 
rope. Then dig holes for the two enemies right by and dig left when standing 
on them. Drop to the bottom left. Dig the 3rd through 5th-left(from the left) 
and drop in. The enemies will go to the DR. Go all the way up the stairs and 
dig your enemies some pits so you can collect whatever's there. You may have 
some items to get at the edge of the long narrow U's. Do that. For the ones 
on the left you need to take the top rope to the left. You may then have to 
go in to the long U's as well to clean up.

No 4-digit bonuses but you can get 3x6000 or so.

XXXXXX
$$H*$

A propellor blimp picks you up and drops you off at the next house, leaving 
the porcupines in the drink just before they catch you.

    4-4. LEVEL 4

   h
   h
   h
   h
 - HX~ ~ ~$~ ~ ~$~ ~ ~
 - HX     $     $
 - H  ! ! ! ! ! ! !$! !
 - H  ! ! ! ! ! ! !$! !
 - H   $
 - H   $
 - H !$! ! !$! ! !$! ! !
 - H !$! ! !$! ! !$! ! !
   H
   H
   H  ! ! ! !$! ! ! ! !
   H  ! ! ! !$! ! ! ! !
   H   $
   H   $
   H ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
   H ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
   H
   H
H~ HX X$X$X$X$X$X X X XX
H  HX X$X$X$X$X$X X X XX
H ~H X X X X X X X X X $
H  H X X X X X X X X X $
H  +
H  +
XXXXXXXXXXXX*****XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX*****XXXXXXX
************************

The timer is now 12000. You really have to kill off your enemies to get to 
the top, and you also need to drop them in there, too. Do so right away--dig 
left and go right. They will fall randomly into holes. It's easy enough to 
dig them out--note that you just stand on them and dig--but you can also run 
over them and pick up a gold 2L or 2R if you are clever. Then you can leave 
them to rot next time you dig them up. Beware of the cement on the bottom. 
You may have to retreat a bunch and leave holes if monsters are waiting for 
you in the DL--or dig and then dig on each side.

Also note how the invisible blocks are spaced--a knight's move away from each 
other--and that the monsters tend left. You'll need a monster to reappear 
right or left of the last rope so you can get the gold in the UR. Don't 
forget about the far-right gold. It's best to get that when everyone else is 
bottled up, maybe at the very last.

This all takes a slightly random amount of time so you want to make sure that 
you don't sink enemies unless you need to--doing so at the bottom and then 
having them reappear at the top after you don't need to have them fall in 
certain holes can force you to run the loop again, which takes time. You only 
really need a monster next to each gold in the pit. Then you can dig him out 
and try again. It will take at least 4 trips--one for the far right, and at 
least 3 to get the 5 gold(monster gets one, you run over it for the other,) 
but that should leave you enough time to get through, if not for any bonus.

    4-5. LEVEL 5

     h            h
     h            h
 -  $h            h  $
 -  $h            h  $
HXXXXh   HXXXXH   hXXXXH
HXXXXh   HXXXXH   hXXXXH
H$   XXXXHXX$XHXXX*    H
H$   XXXXHXX$XHXXX*    H
H        H  - H   $    H
H        H  - H   $    H
H*XXXXXXXHXXXXH    &XXXH
H*XXXXXXXHXXXXH    &XXXH
HX$ HX$X*HXX  HXXXXXXvXH
HX$ HX$X*HXX  HXXXXXXvXH
HX & $&XXH  XXH +   $vXH
HX & $&XXH  XXH +   $vXH
HX  *XXXXH  *XHXXXHX   H
HX  *XXXXH  *XHXXXHX   H
HX**     H    H  XHXXXXH
HX**     H    H  XHXXXXH
H       $H X  & $XH  - H
H       $H X  & $XH  - H
XXHXHXX***XXXXX**vXHXHXX
XXHXHXX***XXXXX**vXHXHXX
  H$H      $       H H
  H$H      $       H H
$ H H -            H H $
$ H H -            H H $
XXXXXXXX*X****X*XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX*X****X*XXXXXXXX
************************

Fall right, go up the stairs and dig right of the block. Push the block 1L 
and get the gold and dig to the right for the suspended gold. Go all the way 
to the top for another and then run to the bottom of that ladder. Wait. The 
bad guys should congregate on the opposite side. Now you can dig to get the 
gold to the left.

41
 2
$3
 v

Dig 1,2 and go right back down. Wait a few seconds, dig 3 and then when 1/2 
heal, dig 4 and fall for the gold and through the gap. If you want to 
synchronize the baddies then go to the UR. Now fall left and go down the 
stairs there and wait. When they come around, 2U 4R 2D. Wait in the middle of 
the ladder and the enemies will lump to the left. Go down and three will fall 
in and the other will escape. Run clockwise over the block to give the 
remaining enemy the run-around and fall down the center ladder to the right. 
Push the brick left.

Now clean out the "easy" gold in the DL, upper center and upper left. You 
still have to tackle the left center bit.

XX1XX34
$ HX$5*
 & $&6X
  *2XXX

Dig 1, push the block left and dig 2. Get out. Dig 3-6, push the block all 
the way left and dig 2. Then dig 1 again and walk left to get the gold. Dig 2 
to get out.

Now to get that final gold--clear out the center now, going to the top and 
digging 2-1 over the center gold. When you fall onto the block, 1R dig 1R and 
wait for everyone to go up the ladder. Fall left, dig, and flal over the 
gold. The way up the stairs to the right and then the center is unimpeded.

    4-6. LEVEL 6

  h
  h
XXh           +    $ & X
XXh           +    $ & X
 XXX*****************$X
 XXX*****************$X
 X                   hX
 X                   hX
         &-- $$$     hX
         &-- $$$     hX
 X$**XXX********XXX***X
 X$**XXX********XXX***X
 Xh                   X
 Xh                   X
 X-        $&
 X-        $&
 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX$X
 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX$X
 X                   hX
 X                   hX
                    &hX
                    &hX
 X$XX**************XXXX
 X$XX**************XXXX
  h
  h
$ h  -    $            $
$ h  -    $            $
XXXXXXXXXXXX***********X
XXXXXXXXXXXX***********X
************************

Timer is 12000.

(ladders link you all the way up even where money's in the way)
The way down is easy. The way up, not so much. Push the block right and fall. 
Then run left to dig a couple of holes. Dig behind you and then push the 
block left. Fall right and run right. Once you get the gold, dig left 
immediately. Push the block right. You will have to dig behind you as the 
enemy will catch up to you. And you need to stop moving for a second as you 
do. Push the block right and fall. Push the next block left and dig behind 
you a bunch. Fall over the final suspended gold, go left, dig and go right. 
Leave a hole behind you at the left edge of the cement.

Once the ladders appear, your task to get back up is based on your ability to 
leave guys behind you as you dig. Otherwise you will run to the top only to 
find one has regenerated. You can probably get away with sneaking under a 
last one regenerating, but you may just need to dig everyone up, go to the 
bottom, and dig someone, step over him and dig the next monster. Remember 
that when possible you don't want to dig 2 holes in a row but dig, move 
forward and dig again.

Also remember the trick of being able to dig up two enemies close together--
you need to back up about 1/3-1/2 of a screen.

If things go right you can get the triple bonus.

    4-7. LEVEL 7






                     h
                     h
                     h
                     h
  $$    $$   $$    $$h
  $$    $$   $$    $$h
  XXH   XXH- XXH   XXH
  XXH   XXH- XXH   XXH
  XXH   XXH  XXH - XXH
  XXH   XXH  XXH - XXH
  XXH   XXH- X$H   $XH
  XXH   XXH- X$H   $XH
  XXH   XXH  X H    XH
  XXH   XXH  X H    XH
  XXH   XXH  $XH   XXH
  XXH   XXH  $XH   XXH
  $XH   XXH  XXH   +&H-$
  $XH   XXH  XXH   +&H-$
  XXH   &XH  XXHhhhXXH
  XXH   &XH  XXH  hXXH
  XXH   XXH  XXH  hXXH
  XXH   XXH  XXH  hXXH
  $XH   $$H  $XH  hXXH
  $XH   $$H  $XH  hXXH
   XH     H    H  h$XH
   XH     H    H  h$XH
 $XXH $hXXH hXXH  h* H
 $XXH $hXXH hXXH  h* H
 XXHXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXHXX
 XXHXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXHXX
************************

Push the block 2R and go to the top. Dig R and when the enemy falls in, fall 
to the right edge and dig left. He'll fall in the hole and get swallowed up. 
Now, at the ladder top:

51
62
$3
 4

Dig 1-3. When 1 heals, dig 4. Then dig 1-5-6. Fall in for the gold. Now for 
that bottom bit:

31
52
X4
$6

Dig 1, wait 3 seconds, dig 2. When 1 heals, dig 3-1 then 4. Dig 5-2 then 6 
once 2 heals. Then dig 7 and fall left. Whether you've got one or two 
enemies, you can dig holes to run by them and then, at the top, dig another 
hold if need be. This next ladder is pretty easy. You can dig over the 
suspended gold, then dig the square below it, then:

12
34
5X
$X

Don't fall immediately left but rather go to the bottom bit, dig the two 
squares left of you after the enemies come down, and let them follow you to 
the ladder. Climb up and fall left at the top. Now you have some room to 
maneuver.

Dig-L D all the way to the block, which you can push to the left. Then you 
can dig over the left suspended gold and then the right. Again you can goad 
the enemies by digging the two squares left of the ladder, but in this case 
one may have some gold, so you may want to trap them in holes under the 
ladder first--if there are only two you can just dig them out of the very 
left area. Otherwise you may have to do this in a couple parts. (Also, if the 
bad guy survives and falls left, don't worry. You'll still win.)

X1H
X2H
X3H
X4H
X5H
$6H
X7H
X8H
$9H
 aH

Dig 1-5. Wait for 1 to heal. Get the gold, dig 6, 1-2, 7, 3-4, 8-9, 5-6, 7-a, 
b and now get the gold. You'll have time to dig to get to the bottom gold 
too.

The trek back is tricky but if you go to the top of a aladder, fall right and 
then dig:

H21H
X43X

Then you'll be able to nail some enemies, and if you don't kill them, that's 
actually better--they won't appear randomly to the right, and you can go up 
the ladder again and fake them out.

    4-8. LEVEL 8

               h
               h
$ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~h~~~~~~~~
$              h
XX             H
XX             H
XX        $ $  H
XX        $ $  H
$  $           H      $
$  $           H      $
XX &XXXXH*XXXXXHXvXvXXXX
XX &XXXXH*XXXXXHXvXvXXXX
XXHXX*XXHXXXXXXHXvXvXXXX
XXHXX*XXHXXXXXXHXvXvXXXX
XXHXX - HXX$$XXHXv vX XX
XXHXX - HXX$$XXHXv vX XX
XXHXX   HXXXXXXHXv vX XX
XXHXX   HXXXXXXHXv vX XX
XXHXX $ HXXXXXXHXv$vX$XX
XXHXX $ HXXXXXXHXv$vX$XX
XXHXX   HXX$$  HXv vX XX
XXHXX   HXX$$  HXv vX XX
XXHXX$  HXXXXXvHXv vX XX
XXHXX$  HXXXXXvHXv vX XX
XX XX   HXXXXXvHXv vX XX
XX XX   HXXXXXvHXv vX XX
$       H  $   H   $ -
$       H  $   H   $ -
$& X****XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
$& X****XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************

I had trouble getting out of two jams to get the bonus so I will assume it is 
not doable.

Climb up the ladder to the right and fall over the left suspended gold in the 
M. Walk onto the enemy as he falls left of you down the chute of false 
bricks. Then fall right and go to the corner and dig left. Move left and when 
the other guy comes down, dig left. Circle to the UR corner and when a guy is 
1R of the big ladder, fall. If you brought both over, You may have to dig a 
couple holes for one and fall in with him, but you should have the time to 
dig your way out and get the right suspended gold.

Trap the enemies and kill them off. Then, for the E,

X123
XX45
$$6X
78XX
9XXX
$$
XXXv

For the R, you may have to shake your opponents again.
 #12
H34*
HX5

Dig 1-2, push the block left, dig 3-4 and 5. To fall on the gold. Now go to 
the UL and dig 2-1 over the gold there and push the block back right after 
digging the 2 squares left of it. You now need to (1L dig-L 1R dig-R) until 
at the bottom of the ladder, although you need to go back up to the top to 
fake the enemies back out. When there are 3 rows left you can complete the 
dig--at the bottom row, 1L dig-L and fall in. Push the block back right and 
you can sneak out under the descending monsters.

    4-9. LEVEL 9

 h
 h
 h                     X
 h                     X
X~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~&H
Xh                    &H
Xh                    XH
Xh                    XH
Xh      $             XH
Xh      $             XH
Xh              $     XH
Xh              $     XH
Xh  $                 XH
Xh  $                 XH
X-     $$   $     $  -XH
Xh     $$   $     $  -XH
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXH
XXXXhXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXH
 X***XX****X****XX***X H
 X**hXX****X****XX***X H
    h $    $     $   ~~H
    h $    $     $     H
 - -h    +             H
 - -h    +             H
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  H
XXXXhXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  H
X   h              $X  H
X   h              $X  H
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX**
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX**
************************

(Note: ladders appear through some previously solid objects)

To start out, dig three holes left. That will trap one enemy. Now let the 
other one follow you onto the rope just UR. Fall left and dig the right 
block, then go back onto the rope. As he gets out, land on him and dig left. 
Go left to get the gold and far enough in that you can run out--I dig right 
so the hole's under the gold. You'll want to trap him because one less enemy 
in the UL bit makes things so much easier for you when you need to dig a 
bunch of holes and run. Plus you won't be distracted as you push the block at 
the very top to the left.

Drop over the left suspended gold and dig holes on each side. Either you can 
just kill everyone and dig 2-1 over one suspended gold later, or you can go 
to the right and 2-1 dig as an emergency. However, killing everyone should 
give you enough time to dig around.

Performing a 2-1 dig to the left(probably after killing guys, although when 
they reincarnate you'll want to provoke them to run as far left as possible) 
is the best way to make sure nobody's near that other suspended gold in the 
UR. Of course, you may get lucky and an enemy may fall on it, and while 
that's nice, don't rely on it.

When digging that final hole you'll want to have left a bunch of enemies 
trapped, because the ladders will come through what you thought were bricks. 
Also that enemy from down below will be released. So it will be helter 
skelter unless you already are somewhat on the left, or you have a head 
start.

    4-10. LEVEL 10

  h
  h
  h            -   ~$
  h            -    +
XXHXXXXXXh    HXXXX XXHX
XXHXXXXXXh    HXXXX XXHX
 XHX~  XXXXXXXHX $X XXHX
 XHX   XXXXXXXHX $X XXHX
 XH  XX $    XHX XX XXHX
 XH  XX $    XHX XX XXHX
$XHXXXXXXXXXXXHX X $XXHX
$XHXXXXXXXXXXXHX X $XXHX
XXH&~$X   & X$H& X XXXH$
XXH& $X   & X$H& X XXXH$
XXH   $XXXXX$XH* * XH
XXH   $XXXXX$XH* * XH
$ H~          HXXX$XX***
$ H           HXXX$XX***
!   HXXXXHXXXXH
!   HXXXXHXXXXH
    HX -XHv XXXXXXXXXH
    HX -XHv XXXXXXXXXH
 $  HXXXXHv** XX-  $*XXH
 $  HXXXXHv** XX-  $*XXH
    HX$ XHv     XX***  H
    HX$ XHv     XX***  H
XXXXH    H             H
XXXXH    H             H
$XXXHXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
$XXXHXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************

Run across the rope and dig left. Then, from the UR ladder, dig the 2 squares 
left and the 1 right and drop down and repeat until there's nothing to the 
right. Then dig the 3 left. Fall right and 3L U 3L and fall.

Now the way to stick an enemy is to bring him to the UR, dig at the UR 
ladder, then dig right, fall on the ledge below, and fall L and wait until he 
falls down the ladder(if he went left after, go 4L 2U to make sure he winds 
up down there.) This is a bit time consuming and maybe there's a better way, 
but it doesn't lead to time pressure really. Also, note that some of the 
future gold pieces here can be done quicker if you're willing to time things. 
I played it safe.

H1X5X
H2 $X
H3 XX
H4 X

Push the block below the UR bit, dig 1-3, wait, dig 4 and dig 5. Then get the 
gold to the left. Then drop over the monster and 2-1 dig so he falls out. Get 
the gold to his right and then trap him as you did his friend. Then go back 
to the base of the center ladder.

123
$45
**$

Dig 1-3. When 1 starts to heal, dig 4 then 5. Dig 1 again and fall through 
for 2 gold. In the DL:

1234 <-dig these
$567 <-when 1 heals dig these

Now for the A in the DL,

 H1XXXH
 H2 -XH
 HX4XXH
 HX$ XH
3H

Re-trap the enemy if you wish. Now go to the top center and dig to the cave 
with the gold. Dig right of the block below and push it left. Dig out of 
there. Go L-U and detour to dig the gold on the left(down the ladder, then 2-
1, then fall right when the invisible block appears.)

Dig above the UR rope and get to work on another little puzzle.

~  XX
 21
X345X
~$6-#
  $XX

Dig 1-2-3 at first and then dig 1-2-4-5-6 the next time through--
unfortunately you can't run over the enemy onto the gold. Not really a big 
loss though as after falling where the enemy was, you need to push a block 
right, dig and get out, and then:

XXXH
  XH
21XH
#3 H
X$XH

You don't need to dig around him to get out safely.

    4-11. LEVEL 11



           h
           h
 --~~~~~~  h   ~ ~~~~
 --        h
HXX      Xhh  X H    XXH
HXX      Xhh  X H    XXH
HXXX$  $XXXh XXX$  $XXXH
HXXX$  $XXXh XXX$  $XXXH
HXXXX$$XXXXh XXXX$$XXXXH
HXXXX$$XXXXh XXXX$$XXXXH
H *XXXXXXX h  X XXXXX*-H
H *XXXXXXX h  X XXXXX*-H
H  XXXXXX  h   XXXXXX -H
H  XXXXXX  h   XXXXXX -H
H   XXXXX$ h  $XXXXX   H
H   XXXXX$ h  $XXXXX   H
H      HXX$h $XXH $    H
H      HXX$h $XXH $    H
H       XXX$$XXX       H
H       XXX$$XXX       H
H       vXXXXXXX       H
H       vXXXXXXX       H
H       $XXXXXX$       H
H       $XXXXXX$       H
H $       XXXX         H
H $       XXXX         H
H                      H
H                      H
XXX****XXX****XXX****XXX
XXX****XXX****XXX****XXX
************************


Dig two squares to the right, below the gold and suspended ladder. Let 
everyone follow you up the ladder, but don't wait for them. With everyone 
around, dig as follows.

X H
X1$
XX2
X 34X
 56XX
$7XXX
X8H

Now go to the left.

With no one around,

    12H
  $34XH
$$56XXH
789X* H
XbaX  H
XXc
  $

This is what you can do for your first trip through. Now back to the left. 
Get the UL gold with a 2-3 dig and then dig as follows:

H21
H543
H9876

An enemy will fall out. Jump on him and fall right to get gold.

Now go back to the UL and dig as follows:

    1
  $23X
$$45XX
X876X
XXa9
XXXb$
  HcX$
   d
   v
   $

Get the gold below the brick. The left's done and now you can go back to the 
right. Unloosen the enemies over there and just start digging a whole bunch 
until an enemy falls in the left-of-center part of the middle pit. It might 
take a while, but it'll make things easier for later. Now you need to trap 
one bad guy in the entombed square. For that, get him in the 2-wide and dig:

 1
X32$
X654$$
 a 789
  bcdX
  efXX
 gh
kji
XXl

The digs are straightforward, but get the gold to the left before i-j-k and 
wait for the enemies to fall before digging L.

All this can take time to set up and the randomization may cause trouble, so 
even with good play it can be frustrating. But you can box the enemies off to 
one side eventually.

The end ladder goes up the center and you should have no problem getting to 
it.

    4-12. LEVEL 12

                       h
                       h
  $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $h
  $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $h
 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX*******
 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX*******
h- -
h- -
X*XXX**XXXX**XXXX**XXX*H
X*XXX**XXXX**XXXX**XXX*H
                       H
                       H
HXXXXXXXXXXX************
HXXXXXXXXXXX************
H                  --
H                  --
************XXXXXXXXXXXH
************XXXXXXXXXXXH
                   -   H
                   -   H
HXXXXXXXXXXX************
HXXXXXXXXXXX************
H
H
************XXXXXXXXXXXH
************XXXXXXXXXXXH
+                      H
+                      H
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************

You've done this before, sort of, with level 6 and this appears to be easier. 
Go up the stairs and 1/4 way left. Dig left when the enemy's near. Dig 2R. 
You'll wind up regenrerating them, but you have so many squares you can dig 
that you just have to be able to dig behind when necessary. 3L dig right. You 
may have to repeat the procedure but you should be able to get to the 3rd-top 
without much ado.

You may have to stand on a man while digging at the top bit here. You can 
maybe get away with machine-gun-digging people as it takes a while to 
regenerate and you can sneak up to the top, but if you can keep someone 
behind then you should do that. Remember, don't dig holes behind you all at 
once, and plan for extra space when you're digging holes ahead too.

It's not hard to make jumps from one area to the next in the 2nd-top row. But 
the top bit is entirely different. You have all sorts of room to dig and can 
see where enemies will drop in advance. You just need to dig under them and 
wait. Beware one thing though--1R of the center 2-cement is a buried enemy 
that can jump surprise you.

No 20000 bonus but you can get a big blue time bonus.

    4-13. LEVEL 13





                    h
                    h
                    h
                    h
    ~  ~ -        HXh
         -        HXh
 HXX$XX XXXXXXX*****H~~$
 HXX$XX XXXXXXX*****H  $
 HXXvXXvXXXXXXX$    H  X
 HXXvXXvXXXXXXX$    H  X
 H~~~~~~~HXXXXXXXX  H XX
 H       HXXXXXXXX  H XX
         HXXX$-  X& H XX
         HXXX$-  X& H XX
 !  HXXXXX*XXXXXXXXXH $X
 !  HXXXXX*XXXXXXXXXH $X
  $ HX$XX          $H XX
  $ HX$XX          $H XX
  ! H Xv$XXX        H XX
  ! H Xv$XXX        H XX
    H   XXXX****    H  X
    H   XXXX****    H  X
vX**XXXHXX$$ -hhhhhXHXXX
vX**XXXHXX$$ -hhhhhXHXXX
       H    XH   $ XHX$X
       H    XH   $ XHX$X
 -$    H    XH$      X X
 -$    H    XH$      X X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************

    4-14. LEVEL 14


            h
            h
    -  ~~~~~h~~~~~  -
    -       h       -
     $X     H     X$
     $X     H     X$
     XXX~~~&H&~~~XXX
     XXX   &H&   XXX$
     XXX    H    XXX$
     XXX    H    XXX
    XXXXX~~&H&~~XXXXX
    XXXXX  &H&  XXXXX
   $X*XXX   H   XXXXX$
   $X*XXX   H   XXXXX$
   X$XXXXX~&H&~XXXXXXX
   X$XXXXX &H& XXXXXXX
~~$  XXXXX  H  XXXXXXX$
  $  XXXXX  H  XXXXXXX$
  XXXXXXXXX~H~XXXXXXXXX
  XXXXXXXXX H XXXXXXXXX
 $XXXXXXXXX H XXXXXXXXX$
 $XXXXXXXXX H XXXXXXXXX$
 XXXXXX$XXXXHXXXXXXXXXXX
 XXXXXX$XXXXHXXXXXXXXXXX
 XX$XXXXXXXXHXXXXXXX$XXX
 XX$XXXXXXXXHXXXXXXX$XXX
           +H
           +H
XXXX*****XXXXXXX*****XXX
XXXX*****XXXXXXX*****XXX
************************

How you push the blocks is a big factor in winning this level. Often you'll 
want to use them to dig what's to the side--then push them back to the center 
to dig everything below them. That's the basic plan, but there are wrinkles 
in implementation.

Let's clear the left side first. Push the top two blocks to the edge--you'll 
have time. Then, at the top,

Dig 1-4, push the block right, dig 5-6. 7-8-9 will finish this off.

    ~~~~~
  $1     H
  234#~~~H
  56X    H
 78XXX#~~H
$9*XXX   H
X$XXXXX~#H

Then:

~~$
  321
 $54X
 XX6X
 XX$X

Now go back to the top and push each of the three blocks to the left. You'll 
need exact play for the first part here.

     ~~~~~
   $1     H
   234#~~~H
   567    H
  Xba98#~~H
 $X*edc   H
 X$Xfghi#~H
$  Xjklm  H
XXXXXXpon~H
XXXXXXqrX H
XXXXX$sXXXH

Push the block right to dig 5-7. Drop left and dig 8-b. Move in to the right 
and you should just be able to dig c before the enemy falls over you.

Now to take care of the right. Push the top two blocks all the way right. Dig 
a-d and push the block left, then dig e-l and push that block 2 left. The 
enemy can't locate you now. Then continue digging. You need perfect form 
here. For the last bit, you can dig and beat the enemy down the tunnel, and 
when he's trapped, it will spring the ladder to the next level.

 ~~~~~
H     a
H~~~#dcb
H    gfe
H~~#lkjih
H   qponm$
H#~Xwvutsr
H  XX10zyx$
H~XXXX65432
H XXXXXA987-
HXXXXXXXBXXX
HXXXXXXX$XXX

Even if the spare guy buckles into the right corner you still should be able 
to make it through. I've gotten a big bonus even playing far from perfectly. 
It's surprising you can take the right in one blow, but once you know to push 
the blocks back it is not so tricky.

    4-15. LEVEL 15



               h
               h
   ~$$ ~~~~~~ +h     $$X
    $$        +h     $$X
  H&         -XHX&  H X$
  H&         -XHX&  H X$
 HXXX*******X* HX***X***
 HXXX*******X* HX***X***
 H~~~~-     *  H   $X
 H    -     *  H   $X
 X    $XXXXX*HX-XXXh
 X    $XXXXX*HX-XXXh
 XXXXXXX*X~* HXXX*****h
 XXXXXXX*X~* HXXX*****h
       X X * H ~H$   $h
       X X * H  H$   $h
 X $   -XX**H X       X*
 X $   -XX**H X       X*
 XXXXX***   HXX*******X
 XXXXX***   HXX*******X
         $  H~~~~~~~~~~
         $  H
 X    $-X X     $      H
 X    $-X X     $      H
 XXXXXXXXXXXXXX*******XH
 XXXXXXXXXXXXXX*******XH
           $           H
           $           H
            H        &XH
            H        &XH
************************

Go right, dig right and push the block as far as it goes. Climb up the ladder 
and get the golds and run back. Then(this requires great timing) dig right, 
fall right and go up the ladder. Dig right and get the gold, then push the 
block 2L and climb over it. This is the trickiest part of the level 
dexterity-wise.

Dig 1L3D of the ladder, then left of the ladder. 

Note: the sequence below will get interrupted if your enemy regenerates in 
the UL. If so, skip to (a) and do the rest later. If he's in the UR, that's 
OK too. But you need one UL enemy for the next bit.

Go down and dig the 3 squares to the right, then walk over the guy to get 
gold. When he's almost off to the right and you're going to fall, run left 
and dig right. Dig left when over the enemy to escape. Now trap him into the 
hole again--you can do this one of two ways, by digging 1R of the hole and 
goine 4L3D(you have the time) or 4L1D. He'll fall in. Then dig the three 
squares right but this time head left. When he falls right and sticks, dig 
the brick the next level down and walk over the enemy when he heads left to 
get the one gold piece. You can trap him in the hole again.

(a) Walk left all the way, drop, dig left, then drop JUST when the guy is 
next to you. Circle around and push the block right. Get the two gold. Go 
down the stairs and right. Dig left twice, wait five seconds, and dig left 
twice again. That should stick your enemy, who has a gold, so you need to off 
him. Then:

21XX
*3~*
 4 *
56**

Run across the enemy--just as he is about to fall(timing's not too critical 
fortunately) and get the gold and run back right to fall over him. Dig left 
and dig right. Run to the ladder. Wait for the enemies to go by you. Fall 
left, dig, 1L, dig. Go left and right for the gold. Then bury the baddies as 
you go right.

In the bottom, dig the block and push the block left 4, retreat, push it left 
4(next to the ladder) and left 2.

You will need to release some enemies here for the final gold, and you'll 
need to repeat if you skipped to (a)--use the bottom cement bit(and left of 
it) to move around. You can always peg one guy with the brick on the far 
right. You might have to run the circuit a few times. But be sure to leave 
one guy if there are two--i.e. dig 3 times on the bottom.

For the final gold, release the enemy from the trap-hole by sending him 
right. Wait for the bricks on the right to regenerate and fall right twice. 
The ladders will pop up to let you out. A good workout.

    4-16. LEVEL 16

h -
h
h -
h                 !
h   $   $         !
h   !!! !!! !!    !!!
h   !!! !!! !!    !!!
h                     !
h      $   $         $!
h     !!! !!! !!!    !
h -$  !!! !!! !!!$   !
h   !                ! !
h - !    $   $       ! !
h   !!! !!! !!! !!! !  !
h   !!! !!! !!! !!!$!  !
h                   !  !
h  $                !  !
h     !!  !!! !!! !!! !
h     !!  !!! !!! !!! !
h  !!   !       !     !
h -!!$  !$   $  ! $   !
 !  !!! !!! !!! !!! !!!
 h  !!! !!! !!! !!! !!!
 h                      
 h                      
XX*XX**XX**XX**XX**XX*XX
XX*XX**XX**XX**XX**XX*XX
************************

Whoah! You need only dig 7 times(after going left) to pot your enemies. You 
may also want to pre-empt where they fall by digging holes. Try to stay in 
the center but remember not to dig on both holes as you calculate where 
enemies fall. Always stand on a dug enemy to dig the other square, and always 
determine if you need to climb over him to dig in front of you or behind. If 
coming enemies are too close, back up and dig. But you usually want to back 
up and dig as that will cause at least one guy to bite the dust.

Remember that extraneous holes are very tough to deal with, so try to 
calculate exactly how many you need, too, and don't go to the edge unless 
you're sure you need to. You can dig your way past one or even two wayward 
enemies. But if you dig a hole too many, or in panic, it will stick you for 
long enough to be fatal. Generally the earlier you start digging, the better. 
One hole should swallow up someone dropping from the top.

Sweeping moves from left to right work best. That's because most guys land on 
the left side of a 2-brick. Remember that most of the times the guys move 
from left to right at the top--but over the 3rd-left and 2nd-right cement 
blocks, they turn back left. Also note nobody goes down the left and that 
enemies land in only a few places: 2L of the right, 5R of there, then every 
4R of there, etc. If you know where enemies appear ahead of time, you can dig 
for them. The ladder appears on the far left.

Unfortunately this level requires a lot of intuition you can only achieve 
through making mistakes. But you will be pleased to note that, because there 
are only so many chutes down, it won't take as long as you might have worried 
that the gold chests get eaten up where you can dig enemies and retrieve 
them.

    4-17. LEVEL 17

    h
    h
    h
    h
 -&+h              $-
 -&+h              $-
 XXXh              XXXXH
 XXXh              XXXXH
 XXXXXh$        $XXXXX$H
 XXXXXh$        $XXXXX$H
  $XX-XXh      XX$XXXX H
  $XX-XXh      XX$XXXX H
 XXXXXXXXXXh XXXXXXXXX H
 XXXXXXXXXXh XXXXXXXXX H
$XXXXXXXX  &-~XXXXXXXX H
$XXXXXXXX  h- XXXXXXXX H
 XXXXX $  XXX    $XX$X H
 XXXXX $  XXX    $XX$X H
 XXX  $XXXXXX*XX $ XXX H
 XXX  $XXXXXX*XX $ XXX H
 X $ XXXX*XXXXXXXX$  X H
 X $ XXXX*XXXXXXXX$  X H
   XXXXX$XXXXXXXXXXX$  H
   XXXXX$XXXXXXXXXXX$  H
 XXXXXX***$$$XXXX$X*XX H
 XXXXXX***$$$XXXX$X*XX H
                       H
                       H
XXXXXX***********XXXXXXX
XXXXXX***********XXXXXXX
************************

Push the block 2L. Dig 2R, drop, dig 3R and dig 2L to release the enemy. Get 
the gold and dig the edge of the peninsula. Fall back left. Get the entombed 
gold:

  $
 $21
543X
X76$
X*** (Get the gold before digging 6-7)

Now climbing up is tricky but generally you can go to the left and dig 2 or 4 
holes(depending on how far apart the enemies are--the first 2 enemies always 
seem to get stuck) and back up if you need more. There's space for 6. Then 
run right. You may need to use a few more digs but you'll be closer in and 
often the enemies lump together, so you can dig and run past if need be. If 
you get in trouble on the ladder up(monster materializes in the UR,) fall 
left from over 1/2 height and chasing monsters will run the other way.

Note that any break you can get falling left for the UR suspended gold, you 
should take. Be on the lookout. You can even go to the top and dig right and 
wait. You can also stay at the bottom to make sure others fall after you and 
only then go to the top and fall left. You can also dig the hole below the 
gold to catch one guy coming down the ladder from the UR as often someone 
fills in for him once he leaves--this makes one less enemy to avoid. Also 
note that when you want to fall to the ground, try to wait to make sure 
nobody's on the UR platform, where he will use the stairs. That slows you 
down. If you can keep the enemies cycling falling DL and DR then things 
should go smoothly. Also, if you are in the DR, you may want to choke up on 
the ladder with enemies regenerating, so you can fall left if one appears in 
the UL. That may tip him off the edge as he "searches" left and save you 
time.

One other random point--don't dig lots of holes on the DR slide. If someone 
gets caught there it only increases the chance they'll show up in front of 
you in the UR.

Now let's tackle the entombed top gold. If you want, you can detour to drop 
on the gold piece if all holes are filled and you see a straight jump down. 
Nothing wrong with backling left afterwards.

   12
 X543
X$67X
X89XX
XaXXX

Enemies may fall into the natural hole here by some bug, or they may fall 
from 1L of the hole. If they lump together you're in trouble--just a FYI, 
where you can mess up even though it's probably chance if it happens.

You can wait for enemies to pass below and you should be able to 2-1 dig over 
the one suspended gold to get through.

Now retrace your steps.


   123
 X7654
X 89ax
XXdcbX
XXfeXX
  Xg$X
   hXX
     X

Drop down safely! Your next trick will be to go back up and push the center 
block 2L. You can dig as follows to get the 3 blocks but you need a head 
start. Keep in mind that you can dig behind while falling from the UR to gain 
some time, and you can also move 1L and dig to get either of the left 
suspended golds. Here you may wish to wait in the UR for enemies to run past 
you DR. When in doubt, circle around and try again.

123 123 123
456 456 456
78X X87 X87
9XX X9X XX9
$    $    $

It takes three trips through, but you can go forward to the right and back up 
if need be--or fall back in the left.

Then one last time, with the stairs in sight, fall DL(dig behind you--enemies 
can get to you) and climb UL, watching for enemies in front too.

    4-18. LEVEL 18

   h
   h
   h                  XX
   h                  XX
XXXHXXXX*HXX*HX      &
XXXHXXXX*HXX*HX      &
 - H$   $H  XH*******XXH
 - H$   $H  XH*******XXH
XXXH  &  HXXXHX       &H
XXXH  &  HXXXHX       &H
XX$H  &  HX$XHX$ H****X
XX$H  &  HX$XHX$ H****X
$X H  &  HXXXHXXXH    &~
$X H  &  HXXXHXXXH    &
XXXXXXXXXXXXXHXHX  XHXX$
XXXXXXXXXXXXXHXHX  XHXX$
             HX$XXHX XX
             HX$XXHX XX
  +          HXXXX$X X**
  +          HXXXX$X X**
HXXXX*H**XXXHX$   XXXX
HXXXX*H**XXXHX$   XXXX
H$XXX$H $   HXXXXX    $
H$XXX$H $   HXXXXX    $
HXX&  H   & HX-$ XXXXXXX
HXX&  H   & HX-$ XXXXXXX
HXXXX*H   & HXXXXXX
HXXXX*H   & HXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXh XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXh XXXXXXXXXX
************************

You don't have to deal with enemies much at all here, but the block shifting 
puzzles are certainly interesting. First:

X321*
$45X$
76#

Dig 1-7. Push the block 2R to be able to run around and grab the gold under </pre><pre id="faqspan-2">
the cement. Then dig 2-1-5 and push the block all the way right. Fall right 
and push the bottom block 1R. Then circle around and push the center block 
1L. Now you can dig over it to get the other suspended gold.

Go to the top, dig left, and go down the far ladder. Push the bottom block 
4L. Now get the gold and push that block back 1R of where it was. Push the 
middle block 1L and the top block 1R. Push the bottom block 2R. Push the one 
above it 1R and then push the UR one 1R. Now you can get the UR gold! The 
other two gold are easy enough to drop in for. You can save some time by 
digging over the blocks you need to stand on to push things around.

Now release your enemy from the UR--dig R, 4L, dig right, 3R, dig left. Push 
the block on top to the right. Dig right, 1R 1D and push that block all the 
way left. Now you have a reverse-dig deal.

12
H3
$45

Dig 1&2. Wait 'til 1 starts to heal 5 seconds and dig 3, then 1-2. Drop and 
wait by 5 for 4 seconds and dig 4-5. Dig 3-1-2 as you go up. Drop down to get 
the gold and walk out. Dig right, above the block, drop it and push it left.

The next gold down looks like a puzzle but actually it's the one on the 
right.

    ~
1H23$
4 56

Dig 1-2-3. Wait 3 seconds. Dig 4-5-6 and 1 when it heals. Get the gold to the 
right and go left to the 1-ladder. U-dig L-D-dig L-fall down-go left. Get the 
gold, dig the right edge of the chamber you fell in, get more gold, dig 2L 
and fall left. Dig left to trap the monster. Then dig 2-1 at the left side to 
get out. Hold UL going up the center ladder and it's a snap.

    4-19. LEVEL 19

     h
     h
     h
     h
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXh
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXh
X $  +$         $ - $ Xh
X $  +$         $ - $ Xh
X X*X*X*X*XHX*X*X*X*X$Xh
X X*X*X*X*XHX*X*X*X*X$Xh
X  $   $   H   $   $  Xh
X  $   $   H   $   $  Xh
X  X*X*X*X*H*X*X*X*X  Xh
X  X*X*X*X*H*X*X*X*X  Xh
X   $      H      $   Xh
X   $      H      $   Xh
X   X*****XHX*****X   Xh
X   X*****XHX*****X   Xh
X    $   $ H $   $    Xh
X    $   $ H $   $    Xh
X    X**XXXHXXX**X    Xh
X    X**XXXHXXX**X    Xh
X       $$$H$$$       Xh
X       $$$H$$$       Xh
X     $    H  - $     Xh
X     $    H  - $     Xh
XXXXX XX**XXX**XX ****Xh
XXXXX XX**XXX**XX ****Xh
                       h
                       h
************************

Go ahead, just burn your enemies and try to finish the level. The ladder that 
appears at the end, at the very top, prevents you from winning. You can try 
to get past your enemies, but you don't get there fast enough. Even just 
getting rid of one enemy doesn't do the trick. ??

The main trick is to dig one hole, climb on the enemy you dug, and dig to the 
center. Then swoop to the bottom and clear stuff out and dig 2 holes--1 next 
to the ladder, 1 3-away. You can also use 2nd-lowest platform as a base. You 
can dig two holes and then bore down to the third to pick up a chest below. 
Also note that you want to pick off the gold chests on the end as soon as you 
can.

And so the best way to start is 3L-4R-1L-dig R-wait for the fall-2R-dig R-2L-
dig L. Then on the next platform below, get the left gold, dig the center, 
2R, dig, 2L, dig-L and fall through. You should just have time to get the 
gold to the left in the 3rd row, too. R, dig right, 4r, dig left and sneak to 
the top--again, a close shave. Work again as on the other side:

HX*2*1*3*X$
H   $   $
H*X*X*X*

In general if enemies are spaced far apart, you should stand on one and dig a 
hole near the center for the other. If they are close together, head to the 
bottom or dig towards the center, dig away and run that way. If they are at 
the top and you want to merge them, dig from the 2nd-bottom platform(L or R) 
and fall when one is at the 2nd-top. Then at the bottom you can go right, dig 
twice and escape.

The 2nd-bottom platform can be gotten in one go. If you are at the UR, dig L 
from the last cement block, 2L dig-L 4L dig-R and L-D-L for gold. Back R, dig 
on the cement, get the other chest, and stand on the enemy and dig L. Enemies 
will be split at the top and you may want to try going to the bottom 
anddigging the 2nd-bottom to link them. You can also use the procedure to get 
one center-level gold. You have to dig on each side of the ladder to shake 
the guys off after heading down, though.

    4-20. LEVEL 20

 h                    h
 h                    h
 h                    h
 h                    h
Xh - - - vvvvvv - -   hX
Xh - - - vvvvvv - -   hX
XXXXXXXX$v    v$XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXhv    vhXXXXXXXX
       X$XXvvXX$X$
       XhXXvvXXhX$
HX    $X$      $X H   &H
HX    $Xh      hX H   &H
HX*****X$      $X*****XH
HX*****Xh      hX*****XH
H       h      h       H
H       h      h       H
H       h      h       H
H       h      h       H
H       h      h       H
H       h      h       H
H       h   +  h       H
H       h   +  h       H
 XXHXXXXX******XXXXXHXXH
 XXHXXXXX******XXXXXHXXH
 ******H*XXXXXX*H******H
 ******H*XXXXXX*H******H
      $H$      $H$  $  H
      $H$      $H$  $  H
X                    XXH
X                    XXH
************************

Excruciating timing here after the initial easy massacre. Go to the right and 
dig all over. Repeat a few times until a few monsters get trapped. While 
waiting for them to come down you may want to push the UR block wL to the 
edge. Eventually you can head to the right ladder and 1D, providing you've 
cleared out the gold the enemies left on the right side. One enemy should go 
to the left 1-ladder Then you can go up one, and when he bounces back down, 
go 3D. He'll fall into the pit from the left.

Now your task is to move that fellow across. You can finagle things a bit by 
bringing other guys down to that area the same way you did him. Or you can 
just use save-states to see when he gets flushed to the right and for how 
long...dig the DR-2L square and wait 4-5 seconds and dig the DR-L square. The 
enemy will run at you until things are covered and eventually it'll stop 
under a gold chest if you do it right. You can restart the process of course 
but with save-states you can get the timing exactly right. Once a guy is 
under a gold piece(even a little) dig everything centerwards of the 1-
ladder(start at/near the center,) step in and walk out.

Oh yeah, you need to go to the UL too. Dig right, get the gold, and dig out, 
preferably after trapping all the monsters below.

So take your time and use your save states and track when a block heals with 
the bonus score to determine when to drill the second hole. You'll get it 
eventually--the enemy needs to make 5 stops. Note also you can put other 
enemies on hold by going 2U after you dig--the guy at the bottom will run at 
you no matter what.

Approximate time to wait before each dig: 4 sec, 5 1/2 sec, 4 sec, 5 1/2 sec, 
3 1/2 sec
    4-21. LEVEL 21

h                      h
h                      h
h              ~       h
h                      h
 HXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXH
 HXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXH
 HX     XXX- $X XHXX$XH
 HX     XXX- $X XHXX$XH
 HX$&X $X ****X XHX XXH
 HX$&X $X ****X XHX XXH
 HX $X**X       X X $XH
 HX $X**X       X X $XH
 HvX  &-  XXXXXXX$X  XH
 HvX  &-  XXXXXXX$X  XH
 HX   XXX XH&  $-X   XH
 HX   XXX XH&  $-X   XH
 HX  $ HX XHXXX***XX XH
 HX  $ HX XHXXX***XX XH
 HX$XXXHX XHXX~$ $ $ XH
 HX$XXXHX XHXX $ $ $ XH
 HX   XHX X XX       XH
 HX   XHX X XX       XH
 HX****XX  XXX*******XH
 HX****XX  XXX*******XH
$H    $      $        H$
$H    $      $        H$
 H               +   -H-
 H               +   -H-
**XXX**XXX****XXX**XXX**
**XXX**XXX****XXX**XXX**
************************

This is a very tough level even once you've figured where to drop everyone. 
To start, go L-U-R and past the rope, dig the 2 left squares once an enemy 
passes the shaft below, drop-L and dig-L D dig-L D dig-L and wait for 
everyone to fall in. You'll need the other enemies for some tricks. Well, one 
is probably best for now.

So above the block in the center, dig-R 1R dig-R, push the block left, dig-L 
R dig-L and fall left. Do 2 dig-R's per level and dig over the suspended 
gold. Get the regenerated enemy to follow you counterclockwise and 2-1 dig 
over the long shaft down. Don't fall in--wait for the enemy to drop off the 
rope and go left. You'll first want to run left over him for the one gold, 
then fall left so you can push the block 2L. But don't fall over!

There's a 3000 point fellow on the left side 1U1L of the ladder. Dig him, 1R, 
dig-L and get the party hat. Then:

X21
 H3
4H5
6H6

Dig 1/2/3. Wait. Dig 4/5/. Wait for 4 to heal and dig 6/7 and run left, fall 
and escape right. Now you can run counterclockwise to get a big head start 
and 2-1 dig down the shaft. Wait for the enemy to be on the rope to drop--
start digging after he's at the top of the ladder. Fall in and fall on him. 
Then run left over him to get the suspended gold.

Next dig 3-2 at the top to release the other enemy. Run in to get the gold 
and run out. Now get both guys to fall into the same trap the other enemies 
did.

For the UL dig the 3 top bricks on the left wall. Dig #4 and then 3U 1R dig-R 
for two gold--note the false brick to the left. Now re-dig the 4 left. Then 
dig over the block, fall, dig-R, R, get the gold, push left and fall left to 
the ladder.

Now dig out the enemies as follows:

123
4H5
6H7
8 9
X a

They'll go tumbling. Dig over the block(1U 1U1L 1L) and fall left and push 
right 3. Dig the 2 squares right of each ladder rung. At the bottom rung, 
drop and fall when one guy is between the L/center gold. He'll move one more 
square over. Then dig out the top gold.

X1
$2
73
 4
 5
 6
 8
 9

Dig 1-2. Get the gold. Dig 3-5. Wait. Dig 6 when 1 heals. Dig 1-2 then 7. 
Then 8-9. Fall onto the gold and go left and right. If this is too tricky, 
you can walk in for the gold and walk out, then fall onto the gold and walk 
out separately.

    4-22. LEVEL 22

h
h
h     +
h     +
HX-XXXX-XX
HX-XXXX-XX
HXXXXXXXXX-XXXXX
HXXXXXXXXX-XXXXX
HXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX-XXXXX$
HXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX-XXXXX$
HXXXX $ X XXXXX$XXXXXXX$
HXXXX $ X XXXXX$XXXXXXX$
HXX  XXX   X XXXXXX$XXXX
HXX  XXX   X XXXXXX$XXXX
HXX XX       XXXXX$*XXXX
HXX XX       XXXXX$*XXXX
HXXXX  XX  $ XXXXXXXXXXX
HXXXX  XX  $ XXXXXXXXXXX
HXXX   XX X  XXXXXXXXXXX
HXXX   XX X  XXXXXXXXXXX
HXXXX$XXXX$X XXXX$XXXXXX
HXXXX$XXXX$X XXXX$XXXXXX
HXXX XXXXXX XXXXX      $
HXXX XXXXXX XXXXX      $
HXXXXX ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HXXXXX
H~~~~~H              -XH
H     H              -XH
                     $XH
                     $XH
************************

Dig-R L dig-r for a bonus. Then dig-L R etc. and dig-r L twice. Now go to the 
right. Get the gold after digging 1-6 and tack back left. Dig this quickly--
it should be pretty intuitive what to do. The main problem is starting out 
quickly and well.

X4-65321$
 789XXXX$
cbaX$XXXX
Xed$*XXXX
XXgfXXXXX
XXhXXXXXX
XX$XXXXXX

Next you want to take care of the second-right enemy. Again there are some 
quick digs to start--you need to balance on top of him and then run left when 
he falls down.

X 54321
XXba9876 X
 XXedc XXX
  X XXXXXX

Fall on the enemy when he drops and fall left. Walk right over him as he is 
about to fall or so or you may run left into a wall and not get the gold. 
It's an annoying quasi-random thing but there you go. And there's another 
one, so save your emulator state again after getting out of this mess.

Climb over him, dig left and hold left to get the encased gold. He will drop 
to the bottom. Now here is the weird part. Dig the DR brick and stand right 
of it for 6 seconds. Dig the brick below it. U 2L. When the guy falls in, 2R 
1D and back up and the guy coming around will stand on his pal, killing him. 
There's some randomization as to where his pal winds up. Hopefully he'll wind 
up in the center, but if not you need to reroll the dice.

Now dig the guy that fell in the center hole off right, and run over him as 
he runs. Tricky stuff ahead. Dig 5R of him so he runs again. Fall left as he 
falls in the pit with his pall and Dig-R/L all the way. Drop right and watch 
them fall in the gold pit. Dig the 3 right squares, 1L, dig-L and dig-R. Then 
fall left as the second guy goes left. This'll buy just enough time to escape 
the closing bricks. Get the gold on the cement and 4-3-2-1 dig to the bottom. 
Whew.

At the top, dig 2R over the right remaining enemy. Dig 3L over him. Then dig 
1U1R of where he lands. Dig R when above him. Get the gold, (dig-L fall-L) *2 
dig-R and dig-R dig-L above the enemy. Then dig-R to get out after he entombs 
himself again. Now you can take the ladder and win. You should get a nice 
bonus.

    4-23. LEVEL 23

        h
        h
        h  ~~~$~ ~ $~~~
        h     $    $
   &    H X   ! ! XX$  H
   &    H X   ! ! XX$  H
H***XXHXX$XXH       HXXX
H***XXHXXhXXH       HXXX
H    XH$XX X H
H    XH$XX X H
HXX$**XHX-XX***XXXH HXXX
HXX$**XHX-XX***XXXH HXXX
H  XX XHHX X      H H*XH
H  XX XHHX X      H H*XH
XXH + X-H X    XXXXXH*H$
XXH + X-H X    XXXXXH*H$
 HXXXX *XH  $       H*$H
 HXXXX *XH  $       H*$H
H     $XX H XX  HXXXX**X
H     $XX H XX  HXXXX**X
HXXXXXX  hXXXXH    &
HXXXXXX  hXXXXH    &
HX* $ XX H   XH H****XXH
HX* $ XX H   XH H****XXH
HX& X XX H~   XXH $X   H
HX& X XX H    XXH $X   H
HXXXX X H  XXh~~HXXX$  H
HXXXX X H  XXh  HXXX$  H
H$XXXXX$HXX        --XXH
H$XXXXX$HXX        --XXH
************************

Push the block as far right as you can. Climb up and right and note the 
invisible cement that appears--and the 8000 for the first gold. Go back left 
and dig right, 3R of the UL. Then 3L 2D 1R dig-R and circle around, drop and 
drop left to get the gold. Let's do some advance preparation now. The brick 
next to the 2 1-ladders guards the DL. Dig it, get the DL gold, and come 
back. Dig it again, L-2D-5R and back. Dig it again, wait a couple seconds, 
and from the left edge (dig-R D) *3 dig-R and go back up. Dig again and push 
the block right. You're done for now.

 X
 X1
X 2
 34
X 5
 X

Head to the right. Dig as above, dropping right to get the gold. Then 
immediately 1R dig-L fall-L dig-L. Climb back up, sucker the guy into the UL 
area so that he doesn't climb the stairs you'll need to run back to once you 
release the other guy(you may want to go to the left ladder, down, dig a hole 
and dig behind you,) and go to the right again.

This time you need to dig the other guy down a bit for later.

 1
 23
4 X

Remember to head right as you dig 4. Then go to the far right where you need 
to take care of a few bricks:

H321
H*4H

Dig 1-3. Wait for 1 to start to reform and dig 4, then 123. Fall to the left-
bottom and climb back up. Now dig the guy out of his hole.

 X1
X 2
-34
6 5

Specifically, dig 5 and wait for him to move and dig left. Then scramble to 
the UL, dig the two holes above the bobbing enemy, and go down and up and 
fall right when he's on the ladder. He'll get stuck and you can dig into the 
DL. You may also just want to dig your opponents, as if they go to the right, 
they will fall into the low harmless pit at the bottom, making your job 
easier later but at the expense of a bit of time.

H1X2XX9
H3* $ Xa
H4 #X
HX57X
H 8XX

Dig 1, wait 3 seconds, dig 2, then fall and dig 3-5. Fall through 2, get the 
gold, dig 6, push the block left, and dig 7 and 8 and get out. Dig 9 and a to 
go outside. Now if you managed to avoid getting a bad guy trapped to the 
right then you are home free, but otherwise you can dig at the bottom 2-
ladder, U 4R dig-L, and then 3L D dig-R and wait a bit and dig-R. This is a 
good place to try save states as you need one enemy to be left of the rope to 
your right. You can escape they guy in close quarters and then get one gold, 
push the block to the right edge(minus one) and then draw the enemies in the 
pit back right to step over them for the final gold. Walking out of there is 
easy.

    4-24. LEVEL 24




       h
       h
       h
  $~   H   $     ~ $ ~~$
  $    H   $       $   $
H~H-~HHHHH X ~~$~ H*H-
H H- HHHHH X   $  H*H-
H     H$HHHXH  ~  H$H  X
H     H$HHHXH     H$H  X
H      H H XH ~$ &H H
H~~H~  H H XH  $ &H H
H  H  ~  HX  H  H HXH ~
   H     HX  H  H HXH
   H ~  ~ *~~H  H HXH
   H      *  H  H HXH
   H   ~ ~$    ~~ HXH  $
   H $    $       HXH  $
   H $    *   H  HXHHH
 H~HH ~   *   H  HXHHH
 H HH    HH*$HHHHXHH $H
 H   H   HH*$HHHHXHH $H
$H $ H  HH $*XXXX HH   H
$H $ H  HH $*XXXX HH   H
H  XH& HH  XXXXX   H   H
H  XH& HH  XXXXX   H   H
H    XXHHHH        H   H
H    XX  HH        HH HH
H        HH        HH HH
H   -    HXH$      H HH$
H   -    HXH$      H HH$
************************

I would fall right to start. Keep up when the enemies in the left are down; 
if they get to the down center you are stuck. Go to the valley of ladders and 
get the gold, go 2R and sit. When the enemy falls off the rope, 2U 2R to get 
past him. For the most part you'll want to get something here and bounce back 
to the top. The only tricky gold is the suspended one, under the cement. Wait 
to the side of it for your enemy to come running at you. You may have to go 
to the valley of ladders again--use the same trick to get out. Whenever you 
see enemies from the left moving towards the center, go up and this will send 
them UL, away from the only left-right connection

You'll know when to go left when you are halfway up and they are, on that big 
ladder on the left. You will have plenty of time to get the corner gold and 
go L because they will take a bit of extra time falling down.

The left side is not too hard. Just remember there are 2 ways to get around 
the enemies, and wait for them to fall. They should be near each other and 
your only real task is to push that one block all the way right. This should 
be done 2 squares at a time, maybe 3. There's no reason to dig anyone up, but 
you may want to watch how the ropes go. They're not esoteric but if you slip 
it could be fatal. Note you must fall on a rope to get the gold in the center 
of the board between the cements, and there's a winding path up the UL where 
you can lose enemies.

The exit is up, on the left side. You should get a whopping time bonus here.

    4-25. LEVEL 25

h
h
h
h
HX*X*****X*X*X*X****X*XH
HX*X*****X*X*X*X****X*XH
H         -   $        H
H         -   $        H
HX      +    XXXXXXXXXXH
HX      +    XXXXXXXXXXH
HXXXXXXXXX-X  XXX  $  XH
HXXXXXXXXX-X  XXX  $  XH
HX  $X    X  X XXXXXXXXH
HX  $X    X  X XXXXXXXXH
HXXX X HX   X   X      H
HXXX X HX   X   X      H
HX X X$H   X   X X     X
HX X X$H   X   X X     X
HX XXX*X  X X-X$X $XXXXX
HX XXX*X  X X-X$X $XXXXX
H*   $$X * $ X HX XX
H*   $$X * $ X HX XX
H**XXX X*     XXXXX XXXX
H**XXX X*     XXXXX XXXX
H  *XX*X   X**X**   XHX$
H  *XX*X   X**X**   XHX$
H--              X  &H
H--              X  &H
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************

(Weirdo monster in DL-1R holds 3000/8000 cap)

A weird jump start to this level: after the 2 guys lump together, quickly 
stand over them, dig R, move L, dig L, move R, and dig R. You can do all that 
in sequence--really--and it gets you out of the original mess and the real 
part of the level. Might require practice though.

You will want to chip away the left first. So you can dig one enemy inside 
the area where you started and run out--he'll be trapped. The other one, dig 
3D on the right wall, sneak in, dig left and escape. If you timed it right 
he'll fall under a gold piece. If not, no risk. He'll just regenerate at the 
top and run for you again. If he goes to the right you can move to a later 
section (a).

But if he doens't, work as follows:

1
2XX5X
3  $X
XX4 X
X X-X

Dig 1, 2. Wait for 1 to heal and dig 3 and 4. Then dig 5 to get on top of the 
enemy. Dig 6 and run left and he'll run to the bottom. Where, for the below 
sequence, you get the gold above the enemy and dig 1-4 in quick sequence.

XXX- -> 321-
*XX*    *4X*

Next thing to do is to trap the enemy in the DR area. This should not be bad. 
Just let him follow you around to the UR. Then 2D, dig to the right, and...
X321XXX
 X54
X 6XXXX

This'll push him to the bottom. You can spring the bad guy by digging left 
then right and getting the gold. Then dig left to get out and loop around. 
Trap the one enemy first, in the pit where they started(nip in behind 3D of 
UL) and then go to where the enemy is entombed in the DR.

(a)

  1XXX
-32
XX 45X6
   XHX$
X  #H

Dig 1-3 and climb on the guy to get to the right part. Dig 4-5 and 6 and fall 
to get the gold. Push the block left and fall over it. 1L dig left and go 
right. Wait a couple seconds and run left and dig left. Put this guy in the 
upper pit with the other two. Now to do the final bit of business.

2L of the pit, dig left and dig right to release the enemies. Fall left twice 
then R 2U 2R and fall. Dig right and that should give you an escape. Other 
digs don't work. I don't know why.

    4-26. LEVEL 26

    h
    h
    h     -  -   +  ~
    h     -  -   +  
    h  HXXXXXXXXXXXX-XXH
    h  HXXXXXXXXXXXX-XXH
    hXXHX     X     X+ H
    hXXHX     X     X+ H
    hXXHX     X      &~H
    hXXHX     X      & H
XXX-XXXHX     X  XX  + H
XXXhXXXHX     X  XX  + H
XXXXXXXHX  +      ~~~&~H
XXXXXXXHX  +         & H
XX XXXXHX+    XX     + H
XX XXXXHX+    XX     + H
XXX++vXH X    +~~~~~~&~H
XXX++vXH X    +      & H
XXXX*  HX   X          H
XXXX*  HX   X          H
XXXXX  H   XX X  X     H
XXXXX  H   XX X  X     H
       H X+XX+XX+XX+*+XH
       H X+XX+XX+XX+*+XH
       HX X  X  X  X X H
       HX X  X  X  X X H
       H               H
       H               H
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************
Head to the UD and 1D. Wait for the enemies to fall. Dig right after you go 
past them to get them moving. Now use the guy on the left to get the two 
entombed gold. You need to be quick about the first bit.

345-621 <-go right to the 2, fall left and dig right
89X7XXX <-7 traps the enemy.
Xa XXXX
XXb  vX
XXcd*
XXeXX

So far so good. But now you need to start with the right side. Push the top 
block 2W. Get the gold falling to your left. Dig everyone out of their mess 
and go right and wait. When one is at your level, fall left and one'll fall 
DR of you. You can retrap the others and dig this guy out later. Also note 
it's ok for guys to go on the left after you dig them(you've already lost the 
bonus in the left) as long as you still have one on the right.

Now push the second block left as far as you can. You can't do anything with 
the third block yet but you'll want to get someone in the UR pit. Once you 
do, dig 1L of the middle-height block and 1L of the pit. Fall left and 1L and 
dig right to catch the fallen guy. Dig left while over him. Fall to get the 
gold. Now you'll need to walk left over him as he falls and dig right. Dig 
him out and pit him back in the pit. Push the bottom block all the way to the 
left. Now when you dig a guy out of the pit he goes all the way DL. You can 
dig over the gold in the left now and escape with no problem. Dig your enemy 
out.

But there's one gold left. You can get it by pushing the middle block 1R and 
then digging left over the pit and R-D to eye-level with the pits. The enemy 
will fall in.

If a bunch of guys got dumped into the left side then you'll want to make the 
long trek over there to bring them back and dump them in the pit one last 
time *sheds tear* bet you'll sorta miss it. I did. I was playing at 4 AM. My 
mind was concentrating on puzzle solving, not appropriate emotional 
responses.

    4-27. LEVEL 27

                       h
                       h
  ~  ~~       ~  ~ -~  h
                   -   h
HX XX- XXXXHXX XX XX XXH
HX XX- XXXXHXX XX XX XXH
HXXX XXXXXH $ X  X  X XH
HXXX XXXXXH $ X  X  X XH
HX$X X   XHX  X $  $  XH
HX$X X   XHX  X $  $  XH
HX X XHXX HX XXXXXXX  XH
HX X XHXX HX XXXXXXX  XH
HXvX XHX H H&         XH
HXvX XHX H H&         XH
HX    HX$XH XX*****   $H
HX    HX$XH XX*****   $H
HXXHX HXXXH  X$  X$    H
HXXHX HXXXH  X$  X$    H
HX$XXXHX   XHXX*H XhhhhH
HX$XXXHX   XHXX*H XhhhhH
H   -XHXXX$XH  $XHX    H
H   -XHXXX$XH  $XHX    H
HXX X HX   XH$XXXH     H
HXX X HX   XH$XXXH     H
HXXX  HXXXX H     H&  XH
HXXX  HXXXX H     H&  XH
H XX$X          XX    XH
H XX$X          XX    XH
HX $X  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
HX $X  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
************************

27.

I needed things to go right to get done in time and suspect I made one or two 
extra cross-board runs than I needed to.

Go one rung down. Let the enemy drop in. Dig the areas to the left and run 
right. Drop down one rung when the enemy is above the left gold. Dig left of 
each guy so he falls onto some gold and into a pit. Then dig them out and 
goad them back to the top where you want to drop one in the right hole and 
one to the left.

Dig right over each of them and they'll form a phalanx you can walk over to 
push the block 1L--but dig to its right so  you can retreat after you do.

Go to the UL now. Dig the UL, then 1D1R of that. Fall through the false brick 
and now for some fun. Dig 1, then dig 2-4 and get the gold and go back. Dig 
1, go to dig 2 but wait 2 seconds there and dig 2-3. Retreat, dig 1, then dig 
4-2. Then 1-5-3. Then 1-6-4-7-5. Then 1-8-6-9-a. Escape underneath the 
regenerating square 1. You may need to dig down again.

   H2
   H3
   H4
H1 H5
X9aH6
   H7
   H8
   HX

Return 1L of 1 and Dig over the suspended gold. Now you have another little 
puzzle with the one enemy who saved your bacon, and here's how it works.

32-1
654
 X7$X
8 $X

Dig 1-3. When 1 starts to heal, dig 4-6. Then fall between 1/2 and dig 7, 
then dig 8 to let the enemy out. You can lead the enemy to the 3rd hole from 
the right. Drop him in there(1D on the R ladder) and dig left of him and now 
you have a little puzzle.

1H4X
H $
H2
HX-3
 H#

Dig 1, wait 3 seconds, dig 2 and 3, get out, dig 4 then 1. Dig 5 from the 
left and fall right to push the block back left 2. Go back up. Dig 1 and push 
the block 1R. Dig over 4 and get the gold and dig and climb your way out to 
the top. Release the 3 enemies and drop them one in each hole again. Dig 
holes to the right of the right two. Then dig left of the remaining one and 
dig right. Fall right and dig a hole over where he is about to fall. Save 
your state here. You will want to go to the left for the gold in the nook but 
this is hard to judge.

Fall to the bottom, 2L, dig left, R, (save your state for timing purposes,) 
wait 4 seconds, dig left and run left--keep near the first guy but don't run 
past him. You need to posh the block 1L and then head 1L onto a brick that 
rematerialzes. It's a tricky maneuver and if you move too much you'll wind up 
falling to the right. But when you get it right, climb the stairs, dig left, 
get the gold below, and go up the stairs some more. You have two ways to get 
the final gold, and I'm not sure which is faster: push the block 1R, fall for 
the gold, push the block all the way right. Or you can climb over the block, 
push it 2L, and drop for the gold and go UR. Either way you're not impeded 
from the exit. Whew. Long level.




 Now go to the bottom and push the block left after digging from the right. 
You only need one try to push the block 1R1D of a gold, but if you want to 
play it safe, take two.



**Dig 1/4 and push the block 2L more(for the final gold) and climb up. Then 
dig 1 and fall on the gold that is 6L below you--fall L, 4D R 2D and back up. 
You don't have to be TOO accurate here.

    4-28. LEVEL 28




  +    h    ~
  +    h
HX*XXX*HXXXX H***HXXXXXX
HX*XXX*HXXXX H***HXXXXXX
HX$H $XHXXX$X    HX    X <4 baddies
HX$H $XHXXX$X    HX    X
H *XX XH XXXX& $ HvXXXXX
H *XX XH XXXX& $ HvXXXXX
H   X* HXX$~HX   H $
H   X* HXX$ HX   H $
 XHvXXXHHXX  X   HX H$&H
 XHvXXXHHXX  X   HX H$&H
  H~~  XH  *X   XHX*X*XH
  H    XH  *X   XHX*X*XH
X X  H  HXh  H HXHX~   H
X X  H  HXh  H HXHX    H
$X$XHXXXXXH XHX XHX X ~H
$X$XHXXXXXH XHX XHX X  H
X XHX XX  H X XHXH  XH
X XHX XX  H X XHXH  XH
 XHXX $XXXHXXHX X H XHX
 XHXX $XXXHXXHX X H XHX
$HXXX  XXHH X X XXH $ XH
$HXXX  XXHH X X XXH $ XH
 HX ~  XH  H$HXHXHX    H
 HX    XH  H$HXHXHX    H
XHX $XXXHX X$ X  HXX XXH
XHX $XXXHX X$ X  HXX XXH
************************

No individual group of gold seems too hard, though I found the center to be 
nastiest. Judiciously trapping the clown-car enemies from the UR is the key 
to winning comfortably.

Attack the UL first.

1*X25
3$H $
 *X4
   6

Dig 1. Wait 4 seconds. Dig 2, then dig 3. Fall into 2 and dig 4, then fall 
left through 3. Dig 5 and then dig 6 to get out.

You need to adjust the upper center now to make it comfortable for the 
enemies to get trapped. Let's get the gold first. No really fancy digging, 
but it is a bit inconvenient.

H321X
HX54$X
H 6XXX
HX8$
HHX9
XH
 H7

Second time around. Dig 1-2-3, wait to dig 4-5 until 1 is about to heal(dig R 
of 1 for a timer.) Push the block right at 9 and dig under 8 to get out.

    ~
321X H
X54 6
 7XX9#
X8 ~HX
HaX  X

Now release the enemies. Retreat to the 2nd-left ladder and then go down 3 
when they're over the single ladder. They'll oblige nicely. To dig one out, 
dig the brick 3R 3/4D of them and come around and dig 1L of them and fall 
right to get out of no man's land just in time. Then head up so they don't 
trap themselves in the chamber.

Now you need to put the bad guys where they can help you. Bad guy #1: on hte 
far left. Wait 4D2R2L of UL and he will fall. First, dig the 3 UR/DL 
bricks(you can make it in 1 trip, and it's not bad since you hold diagonally) 
and then:

2-X
$3 1
X X
 X

...and walk out. The left is done now, so on to the right. Get the gold 
below, then dig 1, get the gold, dig 2-3 and go right. Push the block 3L and 
then walk over it. Now release another enemy. This time you'll want him to go 
in the DR hole. 

 $
1 H$#H
2*X*XH
3~   H
X X ~H

The way to do this is to dig as follows when the enemy is at midway of the 
top(note: only dig 1-5 for now):

1
2
3~
X 4
  6H
H 7H5
H $ XH
X    H
XX XXH <-head for the DL. You can walk back over. Now dig 1-7 to fall on the 
gold safely and be able to get out.

The last two puzzles are really nasty. First let's release another enemy into 
the bottom left. Then go on the long laddder. Dig left, 1-D dig-L and enter 
the ladder-maze when he is at the top. 3L dig-R and step over him and 2D. He 
will fall left. Dig 1-3&5 in the diagram above to get to the DR quickly. 
Regroup when he falls in.

Go to the ladder maze next.

For the final bit you need a flowing move to take out everything.

   H3
 12XXH
 X4  H
 $567H
  89HH
  aH
edcHX-

Dig 1-8 and then re-dig 3. Dig 9 and R-D-2L and dig a. You have just enough 
time to dig over the gold with 1-2-b and fall in and then c-e and you can 
walk over the enemy and also the stairs that have appeared.

    4-29. LEVEL 29

                       h
                       h
    ~   ~     ~  ~~  ~ h
                       h
HXXX-XXX-XXXXX-XX -XX-XH
HXXX-XXX-XXXXX-XX -XX-XH
HX  XX  X     X vX**** H
HX  XX  X     X vX**** H
HX    v        v   $ $ H
HX    v        v   $ $ H
HX XXXXXXXXv XXX*****  H
HX XXXXXXXXv XXX*****  H
HX         v     $     H
HX         v     $     H
HXXXXv XXXXXXX******   H
HXXXXv XXXXXXX******   H
HX   v         $   $   H
HX   v         $   $   H
HX XXXXXXXXX*******    H
HX XXXXXXXXX*******    H
HX           $         H
HX           $         H
H XXXXXXXX********     H
H XXXXXXXX********     H
H                $     H
H                $     H
 H           $  &~     H
 H           $  &      H
X&HH                  HH
X&HH                  HH
************************

OK, I didn't actually solve this, but I know how to in principle. And I had 
Subway for lunch, too, and even while I was trying to solve this ~2AM, so you 
can trust me. You need to align all the enemies IN ORDER so that you can walk 
left across them. A lot is random here so just work from left to right and 
try to dig when the previous guy falls onto the ground(well, the far left can 
move 1L first.) You will want to pause a split-second before jumping on the 
last enemy as that usually nets you the UR gold. I have no qualms about 
playing and resaving states here. It's most important to get the DL gold. 
Because the next time through you only have to put enemies in the 3 UR 
squares. Dump all spare enemies(except one) in the UL square for later. Oh, 
pick up any spare gold lying around.

HXXX-12X-3XXXX-45  XX-6H

Now for the fun part. Put the block 1R1D of the rope at the bottom. Get 
everyone into the UL, except one guy. On top of them, dig L, 1R, dig R. Fall 
right twice and dig left. When the final monster falls through the false 
brick chute to the left, dig right. Go left and dig a hole for him and be 
sure to leave space for another left hole. Dig right, at the concrete edge, 
too. Fall right just as the enemy is about to fall. You should be able to 
walk over them and over the block. Tap dance on the final enemy's head as he 
goes left, so you get the final gold.. Get his gold and when he goes under 
the ladder, MOTOR to the right. You'll be going a bit slowly but should be 
able to push the block in the corner if you pushed off right when your guy 
was going under the stairs(save games, again.) An enemy may be coming down. 
If so you can stand 1/2 rung up to confuse him back UL so you can get out of 
this mess.

    4-30. LEVEL 30



               h
               h
  ~        ~   h       X
               h       X
XX-*XHXXXXX XHXH*-   HX
XX-*XHXXXXX XHXH*-   HX
 X* XHXXXXXHXXXH**X**XXH
 X* XHXXXXXHXXXH**X**XXH
 &  H$XXvXXHX XH     -XH
 &  H$XXvXXHX XH     -XH
  XX   X -&H X H& XXXXXH
  XX   X -&H X H& XXXXXH
   X$XXXXXXH XH XX XX$XH
   X$XXXXXXH XH XX XX$XH
    X$ ~ XXH*XH &$*  X-H
    X$   XXH*XH &$*  X-H
vv    & X$ *H HXX*$  X**
vv    & X$ *H HXX*$  X**
  X    H*  & H X*** *H
  X    H*  & H X*** *H
XXv $  H  h*H X $~& $HXX
XXv $  H  h*H X $ & $HXX
     &XH  & XHXX  X *H $
     &XH  & XHXX  X *H $
$    HXX***H H*X**  &H
$    HXX***H H*X**  &H
   $ H     H H~~~~  *H~
   $ H     H H      *H
XXvvXHXX   $
XXvvXHXX   $
************************

A typical frustrating-as-hell "what-has-we-learned-chidrens-no-we-hasn't-
quite-yet" final Lode Runner level. Which makes it enjoyable for all us 
junkies. Fall into the pit above, dig right and fall in that, and loop around 
back into the pit to trap the enemy there. Dig your way out as soon as he's 
covered and head to the top to see where he regenerates--if he's in the UL, 
he would have dropped in with his friend, which would be bad. If he 
reappears, repeat the quick escape and reappearance. Otherwise, go to the 
bottom bit, half off the ladder. When the enemy gets to the top ladder square 
below, dig as follows. The enemy will fall into 2, and when he climbs out, 
fall through 3 to trap him. Dig to get the gold above him.

 H
 H
 HX
H X
 1 $~#
HX2  X
H*3**
H~~~~

Pull the enemy from the upper right to make things easier later--same as 
before really. Leave the enemy on either near stair to the left of the right 
area. Now dig the entombed enemy out with a 2-1 dig, immediately digging left 
after and falling right onto him. Hold left after you pass the gold on the 
ledge (you can get it now but it's tricky timing) and you'll wind up pushing 
the block 2L. Now you can dig the other enemy out of his pit to make a bridge 
for you to fall back across!

To get the gold 1R of the block, dig 1, push the block left, and dig 2-3 to 
get out. While on your way back up push the one block 2L.

 H#
H X2
H *$
H13*

Push the blocks back as they were. You still need to get to the DR, though, 
and for that you need the third enemy. In the upper pit, dig left over the 
way out and dig right to bring the enemy into the pit. Push the block 2L 
after you get out.

Now sucker the other enemy into the pit as before. Make sure the block does 
not, uh, block his entry.

Take care of the upper right now.

     X
   H1
6**X2H
    3H
XXX74H
 XX$5H
   X H

Dig 1. Wait 5 seconds. Dig 2 and then wait 1/2 second and dig 1. Then wait by 
3 for 2 seconds, dig 3-4-5 and go up, dig 1 again, then 6 and 7. Fall through 
for the gold and fall out.

Push the top block left then right to get out. Release the enemy from the 
pit, sucker him to the top and then do the ladder trick to make him fall 1R 
of the top block. Dig him out 2-1 as before, but don't dig left before 
falling on him. On the sixth drop, push the DR block right. Now you can get 
the gold and get out. Congratulations, you've finished the right side.

At the center rope, dig right and push the block below left and get back out. 
There's a false brick above the one enemy and that means you need to be extra 
careful about how you dig. You in fact have to time digs on two sides.

5H219X
8H43aX
H 76vX
   b-#

Dig 1-4 and 5. Wait for 1 to heal and dig 6-8. 1-9-a are easy enough. Then 
dig b and walk over the enemy to the ladder and up. You'll get the suspended 
gold as you do. Be sure to run left as you're in the act of digging, but 
don't run straight left.

The rest is due to that nice Nico Nico Douga video.

You will need to go back and push the block L to the edge for the next bit. 
Run across the enemy and dig 2L and 1L of him, then dig right on him. Push 
right when you fall, so you run over to the entrapped enemy. Dig 1U1L and 1L 
of him. Fall right to get the suspended gold.

Now you need to bring the enemies over just enough. Save states are big here. 
Dig 2R of the ladder, then note the time and dig 1L of that when you've lost 
170 time units. Then fall right and get the gold--otherwise the guy in front 
gets it--and come back. This is a tricky one. The enemies should be lined up 
nearby.

Once you've done that (and it's better to dig too late than too soon--you can 
just dig 2R, then 1R of the ladder as 2R heals) dig 1L of the ladder and go 
right across the enemies, then up and push the block 1L. Push the UL block 1L 
in this area, then dig 1R of the DL block so you can push it. Dig right on 
the rope to outwit the enemy, then fall right when he sees you. Be sure to go 
half-down the ladder so he follows and falls. Now get the UL gold.

Run right across the enemy (dig right on the rope and go right just as he is 
above the ladder and jumps) and dig 1R and 1R1D of the upper right and then 
dig right when above the enemy and dig left for the suspended gold. Now you 
need to do that trick where you're just off to the side and can dig over two 
squares instead of one.

Save states again. One more cat and mouse game where you need to move down to 
the ladder base at the bottom. Here you can dig left from 2R of the ladder, 
wait 180 units, and dig left again, running right. You only need to catch the 
trailer. Do so, and a ladder appears to scoop you out.

End of FAQ proper

================================

  5. VERSIONS

1.0.0 sent to GameFAQs 2/4/2010. Thanks to the Niko Niko Douga guy.
0.9.91 sent to GameFAQs 8/7/2006. I haven't solved anything but decided to 
touch up maps, default high score list, monsters etc. Oh and I forgot 
walkthroughs for levels 4 and 5 somehow.
0.9.9 sent to GameFAQs 6/24/2006, with everything done except nuisances on 
levels 28 and 30 I don't want to worry about right now. I manage to be a step 
too slow. It's a better FAQ than what was out there(i.e. nothing)
0.2.0 sent to GameFAQs 6/1/2006, basic outline done with level maps

  6. CREDITS

CJayC for having GameFAQs. SBAllen for continuing it.
Thanks to the folks who made the MAME cheats so I could see where the end-of-
level ladders were. Those were a big hint in such a tough game.
For all the people I've gotten to know since the Apple version of this guide 
came out. There are too many to list off the top of my head. Here's a partial 
list: bloomer, Retro, falsehead, Snow Dragon, Masters, Sashanan, Brian 
Sulpher, ZoopSoul, AdamL, War Doc(who sets the pace for arcade guides,) 
lisanne and many others I'm sure.