Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya spent five years of his life building a masterpiece in his spare time. He wasn't some corporate executive with a budget. He was just a guy with a vision. When the original PC version dropped in 2004, it changed everything for the indie scene. But honestly, the Cave Story+ Nintendo Switch version is where the game finally feels like it found its permanent home. It’s weird to think a game this old can still command a premium price on a modern console, yet here we are. People still buy it. I still play it.
It’s a platformer. It’s a Metroidvania. It’s a tragic story about rabbit-like creatures called Mimigas being exploited by a maniacal Doctor.
Most people recognize the protagonist, Quote, even if they've never played a single minute of the game. That’s the level of cultural penetration we're talking about here. Nicalis brought this version to the Switch back in 2017, and while some purists argue about the various ports, the Switch release remains the most feature-complete package you can actually get your hands on without digging through old forums or sketchy download sites.
What Makes the Switch Version Different?
If you've played the freeware version or the older Steam port, you might wonder why you should care about Cave Story+ Nintendo Switch. It isn't just a straight port. Nicalis added a few bells and whistles that actually change the vibe. First, you've got the graphics. You can toggle between the classic 320x240 pixel art and the "remastered" high-def graphics. Personally? I think the new graphics are a bit polarizing. They lose some of that crunchy, lo-fi charm, but on the Switch's OLED screen, the colors pop in a way that’s hard to ignore.
Then there’s the music. This is a big deal for Cave Story fans.
You get four different soundtracks. There's the Original, the Remastered, the New, and even the Sega Genesis style (Ridiculon). Being able to swap these on the fly is a godsend because the soundtrack is arguably the best part of the entire experience. "Moonsong" still hits just as hard in 2026 as it did two decades ago.
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The Switch version also includes local co-op. You and a friend can play through the whole campaign together. Does it break the game’s balance? Absolutely. Is it fun? Yeah, it’s a blast. It turns a lonely, atmospheric trek through a floating island into a chaotic arcade shooter.
The Mystery of the Blood Stained Sanctuary
Let’s talk about the difficulty. Cave Story isn't a "hard" game by modern Masocore standards, at least not at first. But if you want the "Best" ending—the one where you actually save everyone—you have to jump through a ridiculous number of hoops. You have to refuse the booster 0.8, find a tiny sparkling pixel in a room full of lava, and navigate a series of choices that the game never explicitly explains to you.
It's cryptic. It's frustrating. It's brilliant.
If you pull it off, you unlock the Blood Stained Sanctuary (Hell). This is where Cave Story+ Nintendo Switch shows its teeth. The spike in difficulty is legendary. You’re dodging falling blocks, statues, and waves of enemies while "Running Hell" blasts in the background. It’s the ultimate test of the game’s tight physics. If you haven't mastered the recoil of the Machine Gun or the precise arc of the Blade, you aren't making it through.
A lot of modern indies try to mimic this "hidden true ending" trope, but few do it with the same emotional weight as Pixel did. You aren't just doing it for a trophy. You’re doing it because you want to save Curly Brace. You want to stop the cycle of violence on the island.
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Why Physical Copies Are Getting Expensive
If you’re a collector, the Cave Story+ Nintendo Switch physical edition is a bit of a headache. The initial launch came with a bunch of cool physical goodies: a full-color instruction manual (remember those?) and a mini-CD with the soundtrack. Because Nicalis did limited print runs, these copies have shot up in value on the secondary market.
You’ll see them on eBay for double or triple the original MSRP.
Is it worth it? For the manual alone, maybe. It’s a throwback to the era of NES and SNES games where the manual actually added to the lore and world-building. But if you just want to play, the digital version on the eShop is frequently on sale. There's also the "Challenge Mode" which includes Boss Rush and several time-attack stages like Wind Fortress and Sand Pit. These were originally extra bits of DLC or hidden secrets in previous versions, but they’re all baked into the Switch package from the start.
Dealing With the Nicalis Controversy
We can't talk about Cave Story+ without acknowledging the elephant in the room. There’s been a lot of tension between the original creator, Daisuke Amaya, and the publisher, Nicalis. Many fans feel that Nicalis has been overly aggressive with DMCA takedowns of fan projects and even the original freeware version’s distribution.
This has led to a "buy it or boycott it" mentality in some corners of the internet.
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However, if you want to support Pixel, buying the official releases is generally the way to go, as he does receive royalties. It’s a messy situation, one that reflects the broader struggles of indie developers transitioning from hobbyists to commercial successes. Despite the corporate drama, the game itself remains untainted. It’s a pure expression of one person’s creativity.
The Gameplay Loop That Never Gets Old
The weapon system in Cave Story+ is still one of the most unique in the genre. Every time you pick up yellow energy crystals dropped by enemies, your current weapon levels up. Level 1 is weak. Level 3 is a god-tier killing machine.
But there’s a catch.
If you take damage, your weapon loses experience. It creates this incredible tension where you’re trying to stay aggressive to keep your power up, but one mistake can strip you of your best attacks right when you need them for a boss fight. It’s a brilliant feedback loop. The Polar Star starts as a pathetic little pea-shooter and eventually becomes the Spur—a laser that you can charge up to delete anything on the screen.
Actionable Steps for New Players
If you're picking up Cave Story+ Nintendo Switch for the first time, don't go in blind if you care about the story. You will almost certainly get the "bad" or "neutral" ending on your first try.
- Save often, but keep multiple files. There are points of no return. If you swap your Polar Star for the Machine Gun, you can't get the Spur later. If you pick up the Booster 0.8, you're locked out of the best ending.
- Check the settings for the music. Seriously, try all of them. The "New" soundtrack by Ridiculon is much more aggressive and rock-heavy, while the "Original" is pure chiptune bliss.
- Master the Curly Carry. In the later stages of the quest for the best ending, you’ll have to carry another character on your back. This changes your jump height and movement. Practice in the safer areas before hitting the final caves.
- Don't ignore the map system. It’s easy to get lost in the Labyrinth or the Egg Corridor. The map item isn't just flavor; it's essential for finding hidden walls that lead to Life Potions and Missile Expansions.
- Look for the secret items. Items like the Chaco’s Lipstick or the Whimsical Star don’t do much for combat, but they are essential for 100% completion and add flavor to the world.
Cave Story isn't just a game; it's a piece of history. Playing it on the Switch, whether you're in handheld mode on a train or docked on a big TV, feels right. It bridges the gap between the retro era it pays homage to and the modern indie revolution it helped kickstart. Even with the controversy and the price tag, it remains an essential experience for anyone who claims to love video games.