Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya spent five years of his life building a world out of nothing but code and passion. He did it alone. In an era where "indie game" wasn't even a buzzword yet, he released Cave Story for free on the PC in 2004. It was a masterpiece. Fast forward a couple of decades, and we've seen this game ported to almost everything with a screen, but Cave Story on Switch—specifically the Cave Story+ version published by Nicalis—is where the conversation usually gets heated. Some purists swear by the original freeware version. They love the crunchy, lo-fi aesthetic and the specific way the jump physics felt on a keyboard. But honestly? If you want the definitive experience that respects the history of the Mimiga Village while adding just enough modern polish to keep it from feeling like a museum piece, the Switch version is king.
It’s weird.
Usually, when a game gets ported ten times, it loses its soul. But Cave Story+ on the Nintendo Switch manages to feel like it was always meant for a handheld. You've got the HD graphics, sure, but you can also swap back to the original sprites if you're feeling nostalgic. You've got the remastered soundtrack, which is great, but the real ones know you have to toggle those "New" settings back to "Organya" or the "Ridiculon" tracks depending on your mood. It's about options.
The Nicalis Polish and Why It Actually Matters
When Nicalis brought Cave Story on Switch, they didn't just dump the ROM onto the eShop and call it a day. They leaned into the hardware. One of the most underrated features of the Switch release is the local co-op. You can literally hand a Joy-Con to a friend and play through the entire story together. It’s chaotic. It’s a little messy because the game wasn't originally designed for two players, but it adds a layer of fun that the PC original just can't match.
Then there’s the physical release. If you were lucky enough to snag a launch copy, you got a full-color instruction booklet and a mini-CD with the soundtrack. That kind of stuff matters to collectors, but even the digital version feels "premium" in a way that’s hard to describe. The lighting effects in the Grasstown area or the subtle glow of the Save Points look gorgeous on an OLED screen.
People forget how hard this game is.
Seriously. If you’re going for the "Best" ending—the one that requires you to ignore the Booster v0.8 and save Curly Brace—you’re in for a world of hurt. The Blood Stained Sanctuary (Hell) is a brutal gauntlet of spikes, falling rocks, and a boss fight against Ballos that will make you want to throw your Switch across the room. The Switch version makes this slightly more bearable with its rock-solid frame rate. You don't get the weird micro-stutters that sometimes plagued older ports or emulation layers. It’s smooth.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Graphics
There is a segment of the fanbase that absolutely hates the "updated" graphics in Cave Story+. They call them blurry or say they lose the charm of Pixel’s original art. I get it. I really do. But on the Switch's small screen, those high-definition sprites actually pop. They make the environments feel lush and alive.
The cool thing is that Nicalis gave us the choice. You can go into the menu and mix and match. You want the old-school 320x240 look with the new music? Go for it. You want the new graphics with the original beep-boop sounds? You can do that too. That flexibility is exactly why Cave Story on Switch is the version I recommend to anyone who hasn't played it yet. It doesn't force a "modernized" vision down your throat; it lets you build your own version of the experience.
Is It Worth the Price Tag?
This is the elephant in the room. You can still download the original Cave Story for free on PC. It’s right there on the internet. Legally. So, why pay $30 for Cave Story on Switch?
Well, it depends on how much you value portability and extra content. The Switch version includes:
- The "Wind Fortress" level (which was cut content from the original game).
- Boss Rush mode.
- Curly Story (playing the game from her perspective).
- Multiple difficulty modes (Easy, Normal, Hard).
- Sand Pit and other challenge areas.
If you’re a completionist, the extra levels alone are worth the entry fee. Wind Fortress is a fascinating look at what could have been, featuring unique enemies and a boss that feels distinctly different from anything else in the core campaign. It’s not just a "bonus" level; it feels like a lost chapter of history.
Also, let's be real: playing this on the bus or during a flight is just better than sitting at a desk. The pacing of Cave Story—short bursts of exploration followed by intense boss fights—is perfectly suited for the Switch's pick-up-and-play nature. You can clear the Egg Corridor in ten minutes, put the console to sleep, and come back to it later. It fits into a busy life.
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The Curly Brace Factor
Playing as Curly Brace isn't just a skin swap. It changes the dialogue. It changes the vibe. It gives you a reason to play through the game for the fourth or fifth time. In a world where we’re used to DLC being overpriced and underwhelming, having these extra modes baked into the base game on Switch feels like a win.
A Legacy That Refuses to Fade
Why are we still talking about this game? It's been two decades.
The reason is simple: the design is flawless. The way the Polar Star evolves into the Machine Gun or the Spur. The way the story shifts from a lighthearted romp with rabbit-like creatures to a dark, tragic tale of war and sacrifice. Quote and Curly aren't just silent protagonists; they are icons of the indie movement.
When you play Cave Story on Switch, you're playing a piece of history. You’re seeing the blueprint for Undertale, Hollow Knight, and Celeste. Pixel proved that one person with a dream could outshine AAA studios with millions of dollars. That spirit is still alive in the Switch port.
Some people complain about Nicalis as a publisher, and there’s plenty of drama there if you want to dig into it. But looking strictly at the software, they did right by the game. They kept the gameplay pure. They didn't add microtransactions. They didn't try to make it something it's not. They just made it bigger and brighter.
Survival Tips for Your First Run
If you’re picking this up for the first time on Switch, don’t be a hero. Play on Normal.
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- The Machine Gun Choice: Early on, you’ll have the chance to trade your Polar Star for a Machine Gun. It’s tempting. It lets you hover! But if you want the most powerful weapon in the game (The Spur), you have to keep the Polar Star and wait until much later.
- The First Cave: It’s a tutorial, but treat it with respect. Learn the weight of the jump. The jump in Cave Story is slightly floaty compared to Mario, and mastering that arc is the difference between life and death in the later stages.
- Save Often: There are no auto-saves. This is 2004 design philosophy. If you die, you go back to the last red floppy disk you touched.
Final Thoughts on the Switch Port
There’s a certain magic to holding this game in your hands. Maybe it’s the way the Joy-Cons vibrate when a massive boss slams into the ground, or maybe it’s just the convenience of having one of the greatest games of all time tucked into your backpack.
The original freeware version will always be the "purest" form of Daisuke Amaya's vision. No one is disputing that. But for the modern gamer who wants the most feature-complete, visually flexible, and accessible version, Cave Story on Switch is the definitive choice. It’s a celebration of where indie games started and a reminder of how high the bar was set right out of the gate.
If you haven't explored the floating island yet, or if it's been a few years since you last fought Misery and the Doctor, do yourself a favor. Grab the Switch version. Turn the lights down, put on some headphones to catch those bass-heavy Organya tracks, and remember why we fell in love with this genre in the first place.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're ready to dive in or revisit this classic, here is exactly what you should do to get the most out of it:
- Check the eShop vs. Physical: The physical copies are becoming rare and expensive. If you just want to play, the digital version often goes on sale for around $15. If you’re a collector, hunt for the Nicalis physical release with the "launch edition" goodies—it's a genuine piece of gaming history.
- Toggle Your Settings Immediately: Before you start your file, go to the options menu. Experiment with the "Original" vs. "Double Res" graphics and the three different soundtrack options. Most veterans prefer the "Original" graphics with the "Remastered" or "Original" music.
- Follow a Guide for the Best Ending: Look, I'm all for blind playthroughs, but getting the "Best" ending (the Sanctuary/Hell ending) is almost impossible to figure out on your own. It involves very specific, non-intuitive actions like NOT talking to a certain character and checking a tiny spark in a pit. If you only plan to play once, use a spoiler-free "Best Ending" guide.
- Explore the Challenges: Don't ignore the main menu's "Challenges" section. Modes like "Machine Gun Challenge" or "Wind Fortress" provide unique gameplay loops that test your mechanical skills far more than the main story does.
The game is a masterpiece. Treat it like one. Go play.