History Main / MetalDetectorPuzzle

* In the ''{{Discworld}}'' game you have to assemble a "dragon detector", which turns out to be a precious metal detector that you can use to find the dragon's hoard.

* This is slightly easier than normal in ''IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis''. The item you're using need only be pulled out once per screen to see in what direction you should head next. The problem is that it'll only point to your sidekick unless you can convince her to put her orichalchum necklace in a lead-lined box.

* The episodes of ''VideoGame/StrongBadsCoolGameForAtractivePeople'' have a bonus puzzle where you try to find metal items by walking around with The Taranchula (sic) Black Metal Detector And Shovel Attachment! and listening for its call, in hopes of a CosmeticAward. In ''Strong Badia The Free'', you're required to use the metal detector in order to find some of a set of artifacts needed to convince Homsar to ally with Strong Bad.

* In ''{{Suikoden IV}}'', recruiting AdventurerArchaeologist Rene enables you to go treasure hunting with her dowsing rods. This relies on following a TreasureMap and running around; the dowsing rods cross to make an 'X' when she's standing right over the treasure.

* ''{{World of Warcraft}}'' added the Archaeology profession in its Cataclysm expansion. This involves visiting designated areas of the world map and using a skill that causes a theodolite to materialize on the ground next to your character showing the approximate angle and distance to buried artifact fragments in that area. Once you identify the location of the fragments, using the skill in that location digs them up. The fragments can be assembled into items of [[VendorTrash varying values]] and degrees of usefulness.

* The episodes of ''[[HomestarRunner Strong Bad's Cool Game For Atractive People]]'' have a bonus puzzle where you try to find metal items by walking around with The Taranchula (sic) Black Metal Detector And Shovel Attachment! and listening for its call, in hopes of a CosmeticAward. In ''Strong Badia The Free'', you're required to use the metal detector in order to find some of a set of artifacts needed to convince Homsar to ally with Strong Bad.

* In ''TheLegendOfZelda: TwilightPrincess'', one of the keys in [[SlippySlideyIceWorld Snowpeak Ruins]] is buried in the snow and it simply cannot be dug up until Link finds the Compass.
** In ''LinksAwakening'', if you take Bow-wow with you around the island, he'll start barking to tell you which areas have buried seashells.

* In the first ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank'', there's a Metal Detector Gadget which you can use to find a few extra Bolts. It's not required to beat the game, and you can't find anything but Bolts with it.

* In ''PhoenixWright: AceAttorney'', Phoenix must use a metal detector borrowed from the police to locate something within Gourd Lake, tapping the screen when it starts to beep, the next two games feature similar scenarios.

* Around the halfway point of ''{{Psychonauts}}'', the player needs to buy a dowsing rod at the camp store and use it to find buried arrowhead stashes, so that the player may eventually afford some of the more expensive items at the store (including the required cobweb duster).

* ''{{World of Warcraft}}'' added the Archaeology profession in its Cataclysm expansion. This involves visiting designated areas of the world map and using a skill that causes a theodolite to materialize on the ground next to your character showing the approximate angle and distance to buried artifact fragments in that area. Once you identify the location of the fragments, using the skill in that location digs them up. The fragments can be assembled into items of varying values and degrees of usefulness.

* ''World of Warcraft'' added the Archaeology profession in its Cataclysm expansion. This involves visiting designated areas of the world map and using a skill that causes a theodolite to materialize on the ground next to your character showing the approximate angle and distance to buried artifact fragments in that area. Once you identify the location of the fragments, using the skill in that location digs them up. The fragments can be assembled into items of varying values and degrees of usefulness.

* ''FinalFantasyIX'' has this as a very extensive mini-game called "Chocobo Hot and Cold". Playing it is the only way to teach your Chocobo new abilities, and by extension the only way to reach certain areas and collect certain items (including Zidane's InfinityPlusOneSword).
** ''FinalFantasyXI'' also has a version of Chocobo Hot And Cold, though its rewards are far less vital.
* ''FinalFantasyVIII'' also had a digging minigame in the chocobo forests that you had to complete to get the Chicobo card. The actual items you dig up are worthless stones though.
* And ''FinalFantasyXIII'' also has one in conjunction with chocobos, though this time they're hidden on the field and the chocobo gets an icon over its head when you get close. The icon bobs up and down faster when you're closer to the treasure.

* The fossil hunting mini-game in ''[[PokemonDiamondAndPearl Pokémon Diamond, Pearl]]'', and ''[[PokemonDiamondAndPearl Platinum]]''.

* In the first ''Game/RatchetAndClank'', there's a Metal Detector Gadget which you can use to find a few extra Bolts. It's not required to beat the game, and you can't find anything but Bolts with it.

* In the first ''RatchetAndClank'', there's a Metal Detector Gadget which you can use to find a few extra Bolts. It's not required to beat the game, and you can't find anything but Bolts with it.

* In ''TheLegendOFZelda: TwilightPrincess'', one of the keys in [[SlippySlideyIceWorld Snowpeak Ruins]] is buried in the snow and it simply cannot be dug up until Link finds the Compass.

* In ''PhoenixWright:AceAttorney'', Phoenix must use a metal detector borrowed from the police to locate something within Gourd Lake, tapping the screen when it starts to beep, the next two games feature similar scenarios.

* The fossil hunting mini-game in ''[[PokemonDiamondAndPearl Pokemon Diamond, Pearl]]'', and ''[[PokemonDiamondAndPearl Platinum]]''.

* In TwilightPrincess, one of the keys in [[SlippySlideyIceWorld Snowpeak Ruins]] is buried in the snow and it simply cannot be dug up until Link finds the Compass.
* In ''LinksAwakening'', if you take Bow-wow with you around the island, he'll start barking to tell you which areas have buried seashells.

* The fossil hunting mini-game in ''[[PokemonDiamondAndPearl Pokemon Diamond'', ''Pearl'', and ''Platinum]]''.

* The fossil hunting mini-game in ''{{Pokemon}} Diamond'', ''Pearl'', and ''Platinum''.
** Another ''Pokemon'' example: the Itemfinder (up to the GBA games) and the Radar Poketch application (Diamond/Pearl/Platinum).

* ''TheLegendOfZelda: OcarinaOfTime'' has one of these to find a Piece of Heart. It's inside one of the graveyard plots, and you must pay to have each and every one dug out in the hopes that you'll find it. The location is randomized. Annoying? Oh yeah.
** Also, the game contains an item called the Stone of Agony that causes the controller to rumble when near certain secret caves. Fortunately for those without the Rumble Pack, or playing the re-releases on the Gamecube or Wii, none of them are necessary for OneHundredPercentCompletion.

* In ''ALinkToThePast'', you must dig up the [[WarpWhistle Magic Flute]], but it's always in the same place from game to game and the location is hinted at by an [=NPC=].
** Similar to the ''Ocarina of Time'' example above, there's a digging minigame that includes a Piece of Heart as a prize. You have to leave the screen and reset the field each time you don't find it and want to try again.

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* The episodes of ''[[HomestarRunner Strong Bad's Cool Game For Atractive People]]'' have a bonus puzzle where you try to find metal items by walking around with a metal detector and listening for its call, in hopes of a CosmeticAward. In ''Strong Badia The Free'', you're required to use the metal detector in order to find some of a set of artifacts needed to convince Homsar to ally with Strong Bad.

* Resource gathering in ''MassEffect2'' is a planetary-scale version of this.

* In ''{{Spelunky}}'', you can find Udjat Eye which, if there's a secret exit to Black Market in the level, will beep, faster as you get closer to the entrance.

* The episodes of ''[[HomestarRunner Strong Bad's Cool Game For Atractive People]]'' have a bonus puzzle where you try to find metal items by walking around with a metal detector and listening for its call, in hopes of a CosmeticAward.

* The second episode of the ''Tales Of MonkeyIsland'' series has a puzzle that requires the player to hide a voodoo-charmed pyrite parrot in a treasure chest, so the player can eventually find the buried treasure based on the parrot's sound cues.

* ''BreathOfFire IV'' had an early mini-game like this where you had to find buried parts to repair your sand-ship with. The mini-game could later be revisited to dig up various materials with which you could craft special pieces of armor for Ershin.

* The episodes of ''StrongBadsCoolGameForAtractivePeople'' have a bonus puzzle where you try to find metal items by walking around with a metal detector and listening for its call, in hopes of a CosmeticAward.

** Also, the game contains an item called the Stone of Agony that causes the controller to rumble when near certain secret caves. Fortunately for those without the Rumble Pack, none of them are necessary for OneHundredPercentCompletion.