Shovel Knight

 3DS
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Cubed3
    Jun 30, 2014
    100
    Shovel Knight is, at the risk of repetition, brilliant, beautiful stuff.
  2. Gaming Age
    Jun 26, 2014
    100
    If you have any love or affinity for NES-era gaming, you’ll find Shovel Knight is an experience worth having.
  3. XGN
    Nov 14, 2014
    90
    Shovel Knight is the ultimate retro game. It takes all the good parts of old classics and improves on it with current technology. Truly a joy to play.
  5. Everyeye.it
    Aug 6, 2014
    90
    If you love platforming, this is almost a must. Level design is really well crafted, and it'll take you back many decades from now, in a good way.
  6. Pocket Gamer UK
    Jun 26, 2014
    90
    Dig out some eShop credits: you're not going to want to miss ye olde Shovel Knight.
  7. Nintendo Life
    Jun 26, 2014
    90
    Shovel Knight is more than just a great platformer; it's a celebration of classic gaming.
  8. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    Aug 8, 2014
    87
    Old and new in almost the best ways. [Sept 2014, p.78]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. SpazioGames
    Nov 24, 2014
    85
    Shovel Knight is a little gem of an indie game, perfectly suited for short bursts of play and extremely enjoyable for both the veterans (who will shed joy tears) and the newcomers looking for a challenge on their 3DS.
  10. Level7.nu
    Dec 4, 2014
    80
    The portable version Shovel Knight is in any ways as good as the others, even better as the both the graphics and the mechanics works perfect on a small screen. On the negavition side there are some badly designed levels and to many trial and error moments, but for the most part Shovel Knight is a good reminder that games were a bit more rewarding back in the days.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best 3DS Game of 2014
9
#9 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2014
5
#5 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 302 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 247 out of 302
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 302
  3. Negative: 35 out of 302
  1. inzolence
    Jan 17, 2015
    2
    I've now completed the game and have to lower my score for this game from 3/10 to 2/10.

    Some, but not all, of the problems with this game    I've now completed the game and have to lower my score for this game from 3/10 to 2/10.

    Some, but not all, of the problems with this game are:
    1. Trial and Error is the only way to beat some of the later levels.
    2. Clunky controlls, especially for selecting spells on the fly.
    3. All bosses can be killed with the same strategy.
    4. It doesn't matter if you are a good or bad player, having good mechanical skill will only hinder you.
    5. Only 4 of the spells are useful.
    6. Only 1 of the armors are useful.
    7. Only 2 of the unlockable Abilities/Attacks are useful.
    8. The bosses are the easiest part of the game because of the horrible level design.

    Pros:
    1. It has a nice story, but it's predictable and short.

    Conclusion:
    Would not recommend.    … Full Review »
  2. snappyk
    Jun 28, 2014
    10
    Having missed the era of NES and SNES games, it's simply impossible for this game to impress me on nostalgia alone; it's just damn good.Having missed the era of NES and SNES games, it's simply impossible for this game to impress me on nostalgia alone; it's just damn good.

    I've been with the YCG Kickstarter of this game since the beginning, and the developers showed their passion for this game as both it's own entity and as a homage to the games of their childhood. Not only is the result a game people want to play again and again, but it's an experience the team would have wanted to play some 20-ish years ago as well.

    The gameplay is simple, and allows for epic game design where every screen is a new challenge that feels immensely satisfying to conquer. Armor and weapon (shovel) are upgrade-able, and acquired money can be spent on additional weapons or tools for added variety. The humour throughout, is also incredibly appreciated, as well as the secrets lying about in every stage/village that sometimes require a little re-visiting.

    Checkpoints are added just enough to extremely helpful, but not too far to allow a cakewalk, and for platforming veterans that find it too easy, the checkpoints can also be destroyed to yield extra treasure (if you're confident you won't be needing it). While getting to a tricky part may mean losing a bunch of cash upon each death, the cash bags are retrievable, and cash is generally easy to come by.

    The music is glorious. Each stage, boss fight, and village area has it's own accompaniment, lovingly put together by Jake Kaufman. You may often find yourself humming these retro masterpieces as you play, filling the adventure with the necessary emotion, be it spooky, sorrowful, or exciting. The soundtrack is available for download on Bandcamp for a "name your price" model if you wish to, or wish not to, pay back this amazing composer (I really do implore you to donate).

    The game will also be receiving FREE DLC updates in the future for it's Kickstarter Stretch Goals, that includes playable Bosses (each with their own respective storyline), Battlemode, and etc, all view-able on their Kickstarter page.

    Do not mistake this game for those "retro" indies, that are only "NES-inspired" because of lack of time/effort. The story for this game is high-caliber, the character designs are spiffy and indicative of their environments and fighting styles, the 3DS' hardware is used for Streetpass features and tasteful stereoscopic 3D, and also... the game is just a whole bunch of fun. The New Game + mode and additional save slots can justly accommodate a ton of playtime after one playthrough, and you will certainly take advantage of it.

    Even while I consider myself a baby at platforming and was often a little frustrated with certain segments, it made for a very rewarding experience on completion, and I have absolutely no problems with the game.

    This is a game that restores my faith in the video game industry. At a time where graphics must be so good that you can see goosebumps on people's skin, here's a game that proves you can deliver a perfect gaming experience at a fraction of the cost. If you love 2D platformers like Megaman or Castlevania, or even if you missed out on them (like me), I would highly suggest you try this game. ALL HAIL THE TROUPPLE KING!    … Full Review »
  3. JimEarthman
    Dec 11, 2014
    6
    It is a mostly solid game and certainly welcome to any console it is on, though younger players who did not grow up with the NES or SNES willIt is a mostly solid game and certainly welcome to any console it is on, though younger players who did not grow up with the NES or SNES will most likely find this game lacking. Though this game does know what goes into making a good platformer. There is just a few problems here and there which will likely bog down your shoveling adventures. For instance the bosses and most of your enemies in general will move to fast for you to catch and destroy. The momentum system is slightly wonky and sometimes is slightly sluggish, though in regular play it is not much of a concern. It is when a boss battle is reached where it becomes a problem as many bosses move so fast there are times where you may think you can barely reach them to attack at all. But don't threat, you do have all the continues you would want at the expense of some in game currency. But the level design is solid, it succeeds in it's NES style graphics (Though not the best looking Eshop game), and you may even get some giggles from some of the dialogue. Though not the best 3DS Eshop game, it certainly holds up well for the more hardcore gamers it's targeted for, though more casual gamers may be disappointed. Its a mostly solid game, though may relay to much on nostalgia at times… Full Review »
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