Retro platform gaming may be an oversubscribed genre these days, but Shovel Knight only proves the enduring appeal of this play style.
Key events
19th February 2019
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove update, amiibo delayed by "several months"
10th September 2015
5th March 2015
3rd March 2015
7th August 2014
Shovel Knight sales surpass dev's lifetime estimate in one month
26th June 2014
6th June 2014
6th February 2014
Shovel Knight's Wii U and 3DS-exclusive multiplayer features detailed
Shovel Knight's final Treasure Trove update and its accompanying amiibo will now launch "several months" after its previous 9th April release date.
The game was also due to launch complete with the update in new physical editions - these have also been delayed.
In a blog post on the holdup, developer Yacht Club Games reassured fans it was "not a major delay" but would also not set a new date until everything was lined up and ready to go.
Shovel Knight's Showdown, King of Cards DLC expansions get a release date
As does the long-awaited amiibo triple-pack.
Following on from the reveal of Shovel Knight's fourth and final content expansion, the four-player brawler Showdown, earlier this week, developer Yacht Club Games has announced a release date of April 9th next year.
That, it turns out, is a big day for Yacht Club's glorious, 8-bit inspired platformer; April 9th also sees the release of Shovel Knight's third content expansion - the story-focussed King of Cards. Previously, the developer revealed that this long-awaited update, which follows the adventures of "gilded goon" King Knight, will feature four new worlds and over 30 all-new courses.
King of Cards' April 9th arrival marks the end of a long journey for Shovel Knight and Yacht Club. With Showdown and King of Cards (both of which are free updates for owners of Shovel Knight's Treasure Trove edition) finally out, all four post-launch stretch goals promised as part of the game's 2013 Kickstarter campaign will be complete.
Shovel Knight's fourth and final DLC is multiplayer brawler Showdown
Out on everything except Vita and 3DS.
Developer Yacht Club Games has revealed Showdown, the fourth and final DLC for its excellent 8-bit-inspired platformer Shovel Knight - and it's a 2D multiplayer brawler.
Shovel Knight is coming to Switch, introduces new pricing scheme
DLC campaigns to be sold as standalone titles.
Shovel Knight has been confirmed for a release on Nintendo Switch, though it will be administered via an all new pricing structure.
See Shovel Knight's Specter of Torment DLC in action
Ace of spades.
Shovel Knight developer Yacht Club games just revealed the first trailer for its upcoming free DLC campaign Specter of Torment.
Shovel Knight is going to guest star in Yooka-Laylee, where he will appear as a non-playable character. That's nice.
Shovel Knight is getting two more free campaigns
Along with a competitive multiplayer Battle Mode.
Shovel Knight developer Yacht Club Games already went above and beyond by creating the wonderful free DLC Plague of Shadows, which added an entirely new campaign where players assume the role of former baddie Plague Knight. Sure it recycled most of the levels from the original game, but it featured an entirely different move set, altered stages, and even added an all new story to make sense of this alternate perspective adventure. It arguably set a new standard for free add-ons.
Shovel Knight's retail release delayed two weeks
Xbox One physical version canned.
Shovel Knight's retail release was originally scheduled for next week, but it's just been delayed a fortnight. Now it's set for 30th October in Europe and 3rd November in North America on 3DS, Wii U, PS4, and PC. (Note: The PC version is Europe only.)
FeatureShovel Knight's Plague of Shadows DLC sets a new standard for free add-ons
It's basically an entirely new game. Can you dig it?
Shovel Knight is one of video game crowdfunding's biggest success stories. A retro platformer developed by ex-WayForward staff at fledgling studio Yacht Club Games, Shovel Knight raised more than quadruple its $75k Kickstarter goal in spring 2013. Upon finally launching in summer 2014 (on Steam and the North American 3DS and Wii U eShop), the game surpassed the developer's lifetime sales estimate of 150k copies by shifting 180k copies in its first month on sale. And that was before it was ported to PlayStation platforms, Xbox One, and the European Wii U and 3DS eShops.
Shovel Knight's Plague of Shadows expansion dated
Out next week on 17 September.
Yacht Club Games has dug up a release date for Plague of Shadows, the completely free expansion to its critically acclaimed retro platformer, Shovel Knight. Plague of Shadows will be available for every format of the game from 17 September.
This is no mere cosmetic addition. Plague of Shadows introduces a new character, the Plague Knight, and an entirely new story campaign to play using his unique explosion and bomb-jump abilities. There's also a new alchemy system, which introduces crafting elements to the game, plus new bosses, enemies and objectives, new areas and new routes through existing stages, and a new Challenge Mode.
That's one hell of a generous offering for a free expansion, and it arrives one month ahead of the game's physical retail release on 16 October. There's also a Shovel Knight amiibo on the way for Wii U players, the first indie game to be honoured with one of Nintendo's collectable statuettes.
Nintendo has revealed a Shovel Knight Amiibo - the first figurine to be based on an indie game.
Shovel Knight is getting a retail release
Has sold over 700K copies.
Retro platformer Shovel Knight is getting a retail release this October on 3DS, Wii U, PS4, Xbox One and PC. The PC version is Europe only.
VideoVideo: Watch Battletoads return in Shovel Knight on Xbox One
Here's how to find Rare's cult characters.
One of Rare's best-loved franchises has made a triumphant return in a brand new video game.
Side-scrolling 2D platformer Shovel Knight will launch for Xbox One next week, Microsoft has announced.
Battletoads in Xbox One version of Shovel Knight sets tongues wagging
As Rare's 30th anniversary approaches, we quiz Phil Spencer.
Battletoads, whose first appearance was on the NES in 1991, will return, albeit in cameo form.
Wasteland 2, Shovel Knight announced for Xbox One
UPDATE: Wasteland 2 also coming to PS4.
UPDATE 5/03/2015 12.31am: Wasteland 2 is also coming to PS4, inXile has confirmed.
ORIGINAL STORY 4/03/2015 10.04am: Microsoft has confirmed a new list of self-published games headed to Xbox One via its ID@Xbox program, including Kickstarter success Wasteland 2.
The old-school party-based RPG arrives on Xbox One in Game of the Year form, and includes new combat mechanics, voice-overs, and an overhauled lighting system powered by Unity 5.
Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows expansion detailed
Stretch goal content coming as a free update.
Shovel Knight developer Yacht Club Games has detailed Plague of Shadows, a free expansion for its critically-acclaimed 2D adventure.
The add-on will arrive during the second quarter of 2015 for all of the game's platforms: 3DS, PC, PlayStation 3, PS4, PS Vita, Wii U, Mac and Linux.
Plague of Shadows stars Plague Knight, a robed skeletal bird-looking figure armed with explosives and alchemy.
Shovel Knight joins the cast of Road Redemption
Dev calls him "Road Redemption's version of The Terminator."
2014's rookie of the year Shovel Knight will be a playable character in motorcycle action game Road Redemption, following an update due later today.
Shovel Knight has sold over 300K copies
And we can dig it.
Shovel Knight has sold more than 300K copies, developer Yacht Club Games has announced.
Shovel Knight is finally out in Europe on 3DS and Wii U
Has a 33 per cent Cross-Buy discount.
Shovel Knight has finally made its way to the European 3DS and Wii U eShop after it premiered in North America back in June.
Shovel Knight heads to 3DS and Wii U in Europe next month
November launch finally dug up.
Kickstarter success Shovel Knight will at last launch for 3DS and Wii U in Europe next month, developer Yacht Club Games has announced.
Shovel Knight sales surpass dev's lifetime estimate in one month
After going unpaid for months, Yacht Club shifts 180K copies.
New indie outfit Yacht Club Games has sold 180K copies of its debut effort Shovel Knight.
This figure includes its 15,684 Kickstarter backers, but it's still really impressive given the team's six-person size and low budget. The developer offered a very thorough breakdown of its development costs in a blog post on the matter.
So first off, the crowdfunded game raised a total budget of $328,682 ($311,502 from Kickstarter and $17,180 from PayPal).
Nintendo of America indie chief leaves company
Can now tweet again.
Nintendo of America's indie game chief has left the company.
Shovel Knight's secret Butt Mode is assinine
Replaces all recurring proper nouns with "butt".
Yacht Club Games' debut offering Shovel Knight hearkens back to the old days in more ways than its retro graphics. It also has cheat codes. Most of these feature rather banal benefits but one in particular stands out: Butt Mode - a mode that replaces all of the game's most common nouns with the word "butt".
RecommendedShovel Knight review
The ace of spades.
In one memorable exchange in the most recent TV series of Game of Thrones, the brutish warrior known as the Hound suggests that the only people who bother to name their swords are "c***s". But we video game players usually leave our weapons nameless not through virtue but through a plain lack of resources: there aren't enough names in the world to bestow on the endless supply of swords and guns that pass through our virtual palms. (The Master Swords and Klobbs of our world have to be uniquely good, terrible or recurrent before a christening.)
Price and availability
£11.99
Shovel Knight set to launch this month on Steam
Wii U and 3DS versions dated for North America, but not Europe.
Retro platformer Shovel Knight is slated for a 26th June release on PC, Mac and Linux via Steam, developer Yacht Club Games has announced.
The developer noted in its latest Kickstarter update that the 26th release will also bring the game to Wii U and 3DS in North America, but it might take a bit longer for it to reach certification in Europe. "We've been working through localisation and ratings specific to the European region. Hard working developers and publishers who have come before us have helped improve this process and so we have been receiving great support. We hope that we will have good news to share soon," the developer explained.
It's a shame it's taking longer for Europe to get Shovel Knight on Nintendo platforms, as these will each host an additional unique gameplay feature. The Wii U version will have a Demon's Souls-esque hint system where players can leave messages for one another, while the 3DS version will have asynchronous battles in which players pre-record their moves in five second blips, then see how they play out against each other.
Shovel Knight's Wii U and 3DS-exclusive multiplayer features detailed
Leave messages and engage in asynchronous battles.
Yacht Club Games' retro platformer Shovel Knight is going to have a couple of unique multiplayer features exclusive to its Nintendo platforms.
As detailed by Polygon, the Wii U version of the platformer will allow players to leave hints and pictures for one another on the GamePad, a bit like the crowdsourced message system in Dark Souls.
"The cool part is that it's room-based," Yacht Club founder Sean Velasco explained. "Every time there's a room where you don't know what to do, or if you just want some more information, you can tap on this diary. Leave a message for other players or get a message yourself. Or maybe learn a little more the same way you would trade secrets on the school ground."
Shovel Knight unearths at the end of Q1
Entering alpha now. New trailer too!
Retro platformer Shovel Knight - the debut title of ex-Wayforward staff at Yacht Club Games - is now slated for a 31st March release on PC, Wii U and 3DS, the developer has revealed in a new trailer.
The latest batch of accepted Steam Greenlight titles have been announced
Shovel Knight, Death, Inc, and Dreamfall Chapters.
The sixth batch of games to get greenlit on Steam Greenlight have been announced today and there's some pretty good-looking titles in its ranks.
Shovel Knight, the retro platformer by the former WayForward staff at Yacht Club Games has been accepted, as has the bubonic plague-themed RTS Death, Inc by some ex-Media Molecule staff (despite its failed Kickstarter). Fan-favourite adventure series The Longest Journey will be coming to Valve's popular distribution portal as well with Dreamfall Chapters.
The full list of games and software to be accepted is as follows:
The former WayForward staff at Yacht Club Games announced last week that legendary Mega Man composer Manami Matsumae would be writing two songs for its upcoming Kickstarter-funded retro 2D platformer Shovel Knight.
Ex-WayForward staff reveal retro platformer Shovel Knight
UPDATE: Wii U and 3DS versions confirmed... if successfully funded.
Update: Yacht Club Games has confirmed in a recent Kickstarter update that it will in fact bring Shovel Knight to the Wii U and 3DS eShop if the game is successfully funded.
