Boulder Dash - Rocks! (iPhone)

What is it with film remakes? I remember being astounded when the '90s remake of Hitchcock classic Psycho hit the flicks, mimicking the original almost shot for shot, right down to the infamous shower scene. Why remake something almost universally regarded as a classic if you're not going to bring anything new to the table?

Games have slightly more currency when it comes to remakes, the constant flow of formats making re-releases on the current star handheld almost a necessity. Boulder Dash - Rocks! is a different sort of remake, opting for a re-imagining instead of imitation of its inspiration.

What, exactly, is on offer here? Boulder Dash - Rocks! is fairly faithful to the original, giving you control of Rockford (who takes the form of a blue blob in this edition) through a series of 2D maps, either by swiping your finger across the screen or using the virtual D-pad.

Your goal is to pick up a set number of diamonds scattered around each maze before the clock runs out. This means digging through patches of earth or grass, rolling boulders to reach new areas and avoiding those that fall when the ground beneath them shifts.

Most levels are designed to place Rockford in peril when reaching for diamonds. Each move results in rocks dislodged, threatening to crush your little guy. Getting through a level is a matter of hastily evaluating the ramifications of every step you make.

Play also incorporates numerous features more akin to platform titles: health packs recharge Rockford when he's taken damage, monsters stalk set paths, and some areas are locked off until you find the corresponding key.

Rockford's skill-set has improved over the years and new ray guns that can push or drag boulders one way or the other add another element of maze manipulation.

There are also sticks of dynamite that blast through nearby walls to open up new areas. All these elements - new and old - essentially play by the same rules, making your way to the exit a question of breaking through wall after wall, both literally and metaphorically.

While most have fairly simple solutions, the game's greatest challenge comes from Tour mode's clock. Wrapping your brain around each and every one, often with mere seconds left to go, can lead to many a wrong move and far too many replays.

This, of course, is the nature of many puzzlers of old, and part of the appeal of the original Boulder Dash - if every level was passable from the word go, any fun would be hard to come by. This does mean, however, it's likely to alienate many a newcomer.

In the end, what's left is a bit of a compromise: a puzzler that makes concessions to win new fans, but ultimately proves to be a tough cookie in the long run. Extended play isn't out of reach, but Boulder Dash - Rocks! is faithful enough to the original to prove an entertaining outpost for those looking to recapture a classic, albeit in slightly bolder, brighter clothes.