Shovel Knight is one of those games I keep recommending to everybody, though hardly anyone seems to be listening. According to its developer, Yacht Club Games, it’s now sold around 700 000 copies, which is not nearly enough for a game that takes the conceits of nostalgia and makes it new; neo-nostalgia.
It’s an NES-styled game that has you, as an armoured Knight – armed, yes, with a shovel – jumping from platform to platform and smacking things about the head with said spade. It’s tough, charming, and thoroughly delightful. And it’s being released to retail.
Yes, later this year gamers will be able to pick up a physical copy of a game that’s only been available to download. It started its life on Nintendo platforms, but then made its way to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, sporting a bit of exclusive content for each of its new homes; God of War as a playable boss and an excellent interpretation of the Battletoads on Xbox One. The physical release will include that content, and more when it gets re-released on Wii U, 3DS, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Coming in at just $20, the physical release will include a “lavish instruction booklet similar to the Kickstarter reward”, the original Shovel Knight campaign as well as the upcoming expansion, Plague of Shadows. It’ll also sport a new 50 level Challenge Mode. As with the original game, all extra content will be handed out free, thanks to the game’s immense Kickstarter success.
“We’re in the home stretch and are polishing every detail, pixel, and potion right now,” says Yacht Club.
Here’s what’s coming:
- Specter Knight’s Campaign – A full campaign starring the shadowy scythe spinner
- King Knight’s Campaign – A crazy campaign with the gilded goob himself
- Battle Mode – Duel with up to four players as your favorite heroic or villainous knight (Wii U/PS4/XB1/PC exclusive)
- Body Swap Mode – Did you ever wish Shovel Knight was a lady, or Shield Knight was a dude? Well, now you’ll be able to change them all around, along with the rest of the cast
Annnnnd I’m going to end up buying this game for third time, aren’t I? We have no idea if the physical release will be available locally, unfortunately – as it’ll be published by Yacht Games themselves, and they’ve not had any dealings with any of our local distributors.
Last Updated: July 1, 2015
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2015 at 10:02
Let me hear your shovel talk.
Mark Vincer
July 1, 2015 at 10:42
Only in an intimate restaurant
Hammersteyn
July 1, 2015 at 10:04
I’m buying it a second time!
Admiral Chief's Adventure
July 1, 2015 at 10:36
The ladies must hate it when you say that
Hammersteyn
July 1, 2015 at 11:03
They hardly feel it anyway, plus it’s extra cash
Mark Vincer
July 1, 2015 at 11:08
Hardly? SOMEONE thinks highly of himself
Hammersteyn
July 1, 2015 at 13:41
Hahahaha!
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
July 1, 2015 at 10:10
I hate it when people say this game is just retro for the sake of being retro, which a lot of gamers seems to think is the ‘in thing’. I can’t fully blame them, these types of games are the on the rise, but Shovel Knight might look retro but it’s anything BUT retro imo. It’s got some really good, modern level and gameplay designs. Wish more people would try it.
Geoffrey Tim
July 1, 2015 at 10:12
it’s an AMAZING game. People need to play it.
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
July 1, 2015 at 10:15
Yup, there’s a good reason why it’s so damn popular.
The Sten
July 1, 2015 at 10:27
Then they should sell that aspect of it better. Why is it different than the others? It looks like typical indishit to me.
What Im saying is if ur not into indie games like me this does nothing to make me give it a second look.
Hammersteyn
July 1, 2015 at 10:29
This game……………..has a shovel O_o
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
July 1, 2015 at 10:35
How does it look like indieshit to you though? What about it?
The Sten
July 1, 2015 at 10:50
…the…….the 8bitness of it all dude.
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
July 1, 2015 at 21:00
Lolz no amount of marketing can change that though. Try it out one day. You MIGHT just like it.
Mark Vincer
July 1, 2015 at 10:47
Can I has on PC?
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2015 at 10:56
Yes, that’s its original platform.
Mark Vincer
July 1, 2015 at 11:01
But a physical copy? If I wanted Steam, I’d boil a kettle
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 1, 2015 at 11:08
Dunno, but as you can get a physical copy of Angry Birds maybe there’s still hope haha.
Mark Vincer
July 1, 2015 at 11:10
Oh yes, I’ve reserved my copy
MargaretSBrewer
July 5, 2015 at 16:00
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