Gold Digger

Goal

The old miner sits by his winch on the surface while the iron hook swings back and forth like a pendulum. Your job is to pick the right moment to drop it into the mine and grab gold, diamonds and other treasures. Each level lasts 60 seconds and has a money target. When time runs out, you clear the level if your total has reached the target — even one coin short and the game is over. Targets climb with every level, the mine gets deeper and rockier, but you will also find more diamonds.

Controls

• Computer: press Space or the Down arrow to drop the hook in the direction it is pointing. If you are reeling up something that isn’t worth it (like a huge heavy rock), press the Up arrow to throw dynamite and blow it up. You can also click the play area to drop the hook. P or Esc pauses.
• Phone: tap anywhere on the play area or press the big DROP button below it. The 🧨 DYNAMITE button next to it works while you are reeling something in; the small number shows how many sticks you have left.

What lies underground

• Gold: small 50, medium 150, big 500. The bigger the nugget, the heavier it is and the longer the miner has to crank.
• Diamonds: tiny, light and worth 600 — up in a flash. They appear from level 2.
• Rocks: heavy and nearly worthless. Hooking a big rock can waste ten seconds; that is what dynamite is for.
• Mystery bags: could hold money, a stick of dynamite, extra strength for the rest of the level… or nothing at all.
• Bones: worth just a few coins.
• Little mice: scurry along the tunnel at the bottom. Some carry a diamond on their back — catch one for a big prize.

Shop

After each level you visit the shop. Prices change randomly every visit. Dynamite stays with you until used; the strength tonic, lucky clover, rock book and diamond polish only work during the next level. Don’t want anything? Press Skip. Money spent in the shop comes out of your total, so don’t overspend.

Tips

• Go for the big gold and diamonds first, and save the small nuggets for the last seconds.
• The hook travels in a straight line: whatever lies in front gets grabbed first, so watch for rocks in the way.
• Mice never stop running — drop the hook a little early so it meets them on time.
• With the rock book, even rocks become worth grabbing.