The PS2 and PSP really seem to be getting the smelly, brown end of the value-for-money stick of late. Whereas other platforms can offer simple, lightweight, fun games for download at very reasonable prices, the PS2 and PSP are getting the same games at a minimum fee of £20. Boulder Dash: Rocks! is a pretty decent game, but it’s also a pretty decent mobile phone game. Worth about a fiver really. A tenner if you take into account the cost of the disc and packaging.

In order to make this seem like a proper PSP game, 10tacle has added a 3D game mode on top of the classic 2D rock-rolling of the main game. It needn’t have bothered though. The 3D mode is boring and pants and bears no relevance to what Boulder Dash ought to be about. All you do is chase after a beaver on a hoverboard, picking up the diamonds he drops. Seriously naff.

The main game might not be 3D, and it may look and sound very primitive, but it’s a solid, well-balanced puzzler nonetheless. If you’re not familiar with Boulder Dash, the idea is to collect enough diamonds to open the level exit, then leave before the time runs out. The trick is in taking gravity into account to ensure you don’t get crushed and your way doesn’t get blocked. It’s good fun, and would be good value at half the price.

Gavin Mackenzie