Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove

 Switch
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 527 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 423 out of 527
  2. Mixed: 51 out of 527
  3. Negative: 53 out of 527
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  1. IamSquid
    Jan 2, 2022
    10
    Shovel Knight might be the perfect example of retro gaming done well. It might also be the perfect example of indie gaming done well. Its definitely the perfect example of 2D platforming done well. Strongly recommended!
  2. LikeOrNoLike
    Mar 27, 2022
    9
    Very good. It’s basically 3 games in one and they play pretty differently. Great platforming and boss fights.
  3. Hill417
    Nov 10, 2021
    8
    Shovel Knight, or as I like to call it: The little game that could. What was once just a simple kickstarter game has now etched its way into video game history with the character itself appearing in several other games. From a cameo in Yooka-Laylee, to a secret boss in Azure Striker Gunvolt, to a playable character in several indie fighting games. It would have never been so popular if theShovel Knight, or as I like to call it: The little game that could. What was once just a simple kickstarter game has now etched its way into video game history with the character itself appearing in several other games. From a cameo in Yooka-Laylee, to a secret boss in Azure Striker Gunvolt, to a playable character in several indie fighting games. It would have never been so popular if the game itself wasn’t good and thankfully it is (could you imagine if it flopped). The game wears its Mega Man inspirations on it sleeves. It stars a hero in blue armor (a knight in this case), who has to defeat eight other evil knights and their master with the final battle/stage taking place in a castle.

    To say that it is a ripoff is completely off base, it may have the same premise, but it is in a completely different time period and it has a lot of personality (and there were no new Mega Man games being released so I doubt anyone would complain if they got anything resembling a Mega Man game). Every NPC has some dialogue and even some of the more random characters get fleshed out in DLC. As for the main character Shovel Knight. He may not have a lot of personality (one thing some people critiqued about the game), but think of other game characters like Mario, Link, or Mega Man. Other 8 bit heroes who did not have much personality, but they are all icons in the gaming world. What makes the character so memorable is… well he has a gimmick, he is a knight who uses a Shovel and that was all he needed. As a wrestling fan I know first hand that if a character has a cool gimmick they can get popular instantly.

    There are some layers to his characters however. I won’t go to deep into to avoid spoilers, but let’s just say that after some levels he will have a recurring dream about his greatest failure. So beneath that armor is a tortured soul with a big regret and it is his driving force on his quest. The bosses have their own motivations too, some are more expanded upon on in the DLC (which I will not be talking about because they all deserve their own review). They are fun characters who make the most of their screen time like the greedy Treasure Knight, the itty bitty Tinker Knight, the pretentious Propeller Knight, and my personal favorite Polar Knight who gives off an “I’m too old for this **** vibe. It goes without saying that all of the gimmicks of the knights reflect on their stages.

    All of the stages are colorful and challenging and memorable in their own way (side rant Propeller Knight took off years of my life and I hate him and his airship). While you don’t get a special power up or form from defeating the bosses, but during the levels if you go off the beaten path and find a treasure chest you can find a relic that relates to the boss, but at a cost. These things aren’t cheap ya know, but a lot of them aren’t worth it. Personally I just used the Dust Knuckles, Flame Wand, The Phase Locket, and the Chalices. Not gonna lie the Phase Locket bailed me out of a jam. Some might say that these relics and health upgrades can make the game easier, but you can make it more difficult by destroying the checkpoints and in return you’ll get some money.

    As for the final boss it is a pretty emotional fight and when you get to the final phase and after conquering the other bosses it makes you feel like you can take on the world.

    The ending will put a smile on your face as you see what happened to the other characters and how they turned their lives around (except for King Knight) and that final scene was just heartwarming, making your entire journey and the frustrations along the way worth the effort. I loved Shovel Knight and it deserves the praise it received.    … Expand
  4. JoeyPL5
    Nov 16, 2021
    9
    The best action-platformer I played with some actual difficulty and great boss battles.
  5. B00tador
    Dec 5, 2021
    9
    There are so many great games in this package, it can't really be faulted. My personal favourites are King Of Cards and Shovel Of Hope but it's all wonderful. So endearing, such tight gameplay.
  6. Lani_337
    Dec 1, 2021
    10
    This game is fantastic! Great Level Design, items are optional, the death system that is very similar to Dark Souls is motivating and there is so much content. Three campaigns, one of them is also playable in co op Mode. Also, Shovel Knight Showdown is fun to play for a few rounds. Best Indie Game ever made and one of the best Platformers out there.
  7. SilverGalaxia
    Jan 24, 2022
    10
    This is probably the most objectively perfect game I've ever played. Nothing but tightly designed levels, fun abilities, and with excellent visual presentation and music. For $40 it's well worth the price. If even remotely like 2D platformers then you need to play this game.
  8. stupidopinion
    Jun 22, 2022
    9
    All 4 games are lots of fun definitely worth the price. Plague Knight is probably the weakest of the 4 due to its unintuitive platforming, but I like its story the most and speed running is crazy. Shovel Knight is 3rd imo for just being an overall solid game in all aspects. Specter knight is 2nd and has the most fun platforming, but the story is weak and its lack of an overworld feels off.All 4 games are lots of fun definitely worth the price. Plague Knight is probably the weakest of the 4 due to its unintuitive platforming, but I like its story the most and speed running is crazy. Shovel Knight is 3rd imo for just being an overall solid game in all aspects. Specter knight is 2nd and has the most fun platforming, but the story is weak and its lack of an overworld feels off. King knight is best for its great platforming, a great story, great level structure, and of course the very fun card minigame.

    The game is about 40 hours, would definitely recommend!    … Expand
  9. Ceok17
    Aug 16, 2022
    9
    A must play!

    Really cool and challenging game, not too hard, not too easy.

    Amazing soundtrack and amazing pixelart, just take your shovel and enjoy killing enemies!
  10. Aaron_Deluxe
    Aug 26, 2022
    9
    And ode to the classic NES games. Top best soundtracks of all time and the characters are very charismatic
  11. Oddlennon
    Dec 14, 2022
    8
    Great fun!
    I played and completed all four game modes. Each was different enough to still keep it fun.
    Would definitely play again
  12. somedumbdude
    Nov 2, 2022
    9
    the game is amazing, I am only on shovel of hope right now but the gameplays fun and has some difficulty, And the music is amazing, And the amount of content is so big its obvious if you want to do a full playthrough you will be here for a while, I have been looking around for years for a game like shovel knight, its the game i never knew i wanted its like if you took some of ducktalesthe game is amazing, I am only on shovel of hope right now but the gameplays fun and has some difficulty, And the music is amazing, And the amount of content is so big its obvious if you want to do a full playthrough you will be here for a while, I have been looking around for years for a game like shovel knight, its the game i never knew i wanted its like if you took some of ducktales gameplay added megamans boss levels and mario 3's overworld you get this, an astonishing tribute to 8-bit platforming games… Expand
  13. tiago1243
    Dec 22, 2022
    7
    llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
  14. WarioLandFan
    Mar 28, 2023
    10
    Not only does this game have arguably the greatest 2D platformer of all time, but it includes 3 other unique campaigns starring different characters and level designs, and on top of that there's a fighting mode. All of that for forty dollars is a steal. Amazing game.
  15. TehWaffl
    Mar 15, 2023
    8
    The go to for anyone wanting a traditional 2D platformer. No need for powerups as each character has a simple move set with massive potential. Level design is fantastic, with secrets scattered all over. Characters have fun designs and great personalities. Certain level mechanics and relics can be annoying/unbalanced and King of Cards is overall lacking; but the game still comes out pretty good.
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Switch Game of 2017
14
#14 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2017
13
#13 Most Shared Switch Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. App Trigger
    Apr 21, 2017
    90
    Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is practically a must-own for anyone who has just picked up a Nintendo Switch. The expected excellent platforming fun, enjoyable storytelling, and impressive art and sound of all three campaigns not only comes all packed together in one title, but also includes better accessibility than ever before on a platform the title feels made for.
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  2. Vooks
    Apr 6, 2017
    100
    Treasure Trove is packed to the brim with content and the different ways you can play through these games is wonderfully broad. Whether its co-op or solo, handheld or docked – it’s up to you. I don’t care. Just go play Shovel Knight.
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  3. FNintendo
    Mar 22, 2017
    90
    Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is a compilation of the previous Shovel Knight adventures that gets everything right. Its long lifespan, very detailed and quality level design, as well as its challenges and plot make the Shovel Knight series one of the best contemporary platformers designed in the 8-bit retro style. With Treasure Trove, fans of old school sidescrollers will find everything they could want.
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