Drill Dozer by Game Freak, a design marvel nobody saw coming. The vibrating drill, literally, is a brilliant game mechanic. An unjustly forgotten classic.
Your verdict
Category
Action Adventure1 player7+
Description
Action-platform game developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo in Japan. Jill traverses levels using a mechanical rotating drill to bore through enemies, walls and bosses. The drill can be charged in three rotation speeds for more powerful attacks, ingenious puzzle levels requiring drilling in the right directions and spectacular bosses. Original and acrobatic title from Game Freak, creators of the Pokémon series, known in the West as Drill Dozer.
Screw Breaker - Goushin DoriRureRo review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾2,9 MB📅22/07/2004
Published by Nintendo
Screw Breaker - Goushin DoriRureRo (GBA) price, value & rarity
Original Japanese edition of Drill Dozer, distributed by Nintendo in July 2004 under the Screw Breaker Goushin DoriRureRo title, nearly two years ahead of the Western release. The Japanese cartridge carries the same physical rumble sensor but with a label and box signed Nintendo Japan, distinct from the PAL package. Japan run was sized by market, complete with obi and working sensor remains a precise piece for non Pokemon Game Freak completists attentive to the Japanese original.
An underrated gem
Far from Pokémon, Game Freak dreamed up this platformer where you screw and unscrew the scenery with a drill, triggers and all. Released late and without buzz, it was eclipsed by its publisher's heavy hitters. Its mechanical gameplay, as original as it is satisfying, makes it a gem for fans of bold-idea platformers, still far too rarely mentioned.
Is Screw Breaker - Goushin DoriRureRo still worth playing in 2026?
Drill Dozer is one of the most inventive projects ever shipped from Game Freak outside Pokemon, and it remains broadly underrated. Jill's drill mech leans on a nuanced directional rotation mechanic that opens up combat, puzzle and exploration combinations as rewarding as they are readable. The cartridge carries a dedicated rumble feature that is still impressive today. Animation, writing and soundtrack stand next to the best GBA platformers, and the difficulty curve climbs with subtlety. A priority pick for hunters of overlooked gems.
