is a 2004 puzzle video game developed and published by Namco for the Nintendo DS. Controlling one of six characters, the player must make it to the bottom of each stage by destroying, colored formations of blocks while preventing their oxygen meter from depleting. Multiple different gamemodes are present, including a single-player campaign, a time-attack mode, and a competitive multiplayer mode. It is the sixth entry in the Mr. Driller series.

Originally known as New Mister Driller and later Mr. Driller DS, Drill Spirits was first shown at the E3 2004 tradeshow during a showcasing of third-party games in development for the Nintendo DS. It was produced by series creator Hideo Yoshizawa, and was created to take advantage of the system's touch control and dual-screen features. The game was announced as a launch title for the system, alongside Namco's own Ridge Racer DS. The North American version excludes several features announced prior in press releases due to time constraints, including an entire gamemode called Dristone Driller. Drill Spirits received mixed reviews for its lack of depth and multiplayer modes requiring two game cards to play, although its gameplay, visuals and modes were the subject of praise. It was followed by Mr. Driller Online in 2008.

Gameplay

thumb|left|In the Pressure Driller gamemode, the player will need to destroy a giant mechanical drill that pursues them, by collecting energy capsules and firing back at them.

Mr. Driller Drill Spirits is a puzzle video game. The player controls a character that must make it to the bottom of each stage by destroying, or "drilling", formations of colored blocks that litter the playfield. Each character has their own unique traits that can alter the gameplay; for instance, Taizo can drill faster than other, while Holinger-Z can sustain an extra hit. The player has an oxygen meter at the right of the screen that acts as a timer, which will deplete as the stage progresses. It was originally given the tentative title of New Mister Driller. Namco revealed further details on the game in September, renaming the game to Mr. Driller DS and was about 70% complete. Produced by series creator Hideo Yoshizawa, the game was created to take advantage of the system's dual screen and touch control features. It was officially released in North America on November 30; due to time constraints, several features announced during press releases, such as the Dristone mode, were cut from the game. Drill Spirits was released in Japan on December 2 with the removed features added, coinciding with the debut of the system in Japan. It was later released in both Europe and Australia on March 11, 2005.

Reception

Mr. Driller Drill Spirits was met with a mixed response from critics. It holds a 70/100 on review aggregator website Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Notes

References

  • Official Japanese website

ja:ミスタードリラー