Mr. Driller A on GBA, Japanese sequel to the signature drilling concept. New modes and fresh challenges. For those who mastered the 2, a welcome dose of extra challenge.
Your verdict
Category
Puzzle1 player3+
Description
Drilling puzzle game developed by Namco and published in Japan in December 2002. Susumu Hori and companions drill through environments infested with Pacteria, colorful creatures that invade the underground levels. Enriched drilling system with new block types and enemies, Mission and Time Attack modes, various playable characters and increasing depth challenges. Japan-exclusive episode with new mechanics unique to the series.
Mr. Driller A - Fushigi na Pacteria review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
This variant populates the underground with coloured creatures that replace some of the inert blocks: round forms, visible eyes, quivering animations that make the ground feel alive. Readability is preserved by a strict colour code, but the screen gains a permanent restlessness the purely mineral previous episode never had.
The accompaniment follows that change of subject: the melodies stay cheerful but gain organic sound effects worked into the rhythm, gurgles and squeaks punctuating the creatures' disappearance. The music thus becomes slightly denser than in the previous episode without losing any of its overall lightness.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Descending layer after layer while watching an ever-dwindling oxygen gauge forces split-second calls between caution and greed. The new modes flesh out a drilling mechanic that's already fiercely moreish. That constant, fluid and readable tension makes this entry an ideal pick for fans of snappy arcade puzzling.
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Frantic drilling extends with a touch of adventure: raising strange Pacteria and unlocking new challenges renews the stakes of the descent. Managing block colours and the draining air keeps all its snappy tension, where one mistake buries it all. Clever, generous and addictive, this vertical puzzle grabs you for quick sessions and marathons alike.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Plunging into the ground, juggling colored blocks and an oxygen gauge, keeps all the snappiness of the series while adding an adventure mode that extends the hunt. Going deeper, aiming for a better score and surviving endlessly restarts the game. The formula loops quickly, but this thrill of the controlled fall stays devilishly addictive.
Difficulty
"Easy"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾3,6 MB📅05/12/2002
Published by Namco
Mr. Driller A - Fushigi na Pacteria (GBA) price, value & rarity
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Is Mr. Driller A - Fushigi na Pacteria still worth playing in 2026?
A portable entry in Namco's puzzle series, Mr. Driller A has Susumu drill relentlessly through layers of coloured blocks, managing his air supply and the collapsing structures. This entry adds Pacteria collecting, small creatures that invade the levels and flesh out an original adventure mode. The snappiness, clarity and addictive tempo of the drilling stay intact. Japan only, the title aims at fans. For a fan of puzzle action or someone curious about Namco's craft, the title keeps a fearsome effectiveness.
