Cave Story+

Platformer· Exploration· Metroidvania· Difficult

Released Nov 2011

Run, jump, shoot, fly and explore your way through a massive action-adventure reminiscent of classic 8- and 16-bit games.

92% positive · 8,341 reviews

Not yet

Released, but still in active development

High confidence

Active Development

Not yet

Released, but still in active development

High confidence

Active Development

Where to buy

Steam Updated 4 Oct 2026 $11.24 $14.99 −25%

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Evaluation

Cave Story+ originally launched on Steam on November 22, 2011 and has been receiving renewed attention from Nicalis with a significant burst of updates in 2026. On April 11, 2026, a massive update arrived bringing features previously exclusive to console versions, including 2-player co-op, widescreen support, animated dialogue portraits, enhanced lighting and water effects, four different soundtrack options with a new Jukebox, mod support with a full Lua API, and numerous bug fixes and gameplay refinements. On June 9, 2026, the update graduated from an opt-in beta branch to the default release for all players, accompanied by additional fixes for audio, boss behavior, CPU usage, and controller compatibility. Then on July 1, 2026, a further feature patch shipped improvements for modders — new scripting commands, expanded Lua functions, and raised limits — along with more bug fixes including input latency and controller support improvements. The store description also lists "Future content updates" as a key feature. With three meaningful updates shipped between April and July 2026 and no statement from the developer indicating that this wave of development has concluded, the game is clearly in an active phase of ongoing improvement.

Evidence

The April 2026 update graduates from opt-in beta branch to public default release for all players, accompanied by additional fixes for audio, boss spawning, CPU usage, and controller hotkeys.

news post · Jun 9, 2026 source content shipped

high

Massive update adds 2-player co-op, mod support with Lua API, widescreen, animated dialogue portraits, enhanced lighting and water, four soundtrack versions with a Jukebox, new challenge content, and extensive bug fixes — porting features from console versions to PC.

news post · Apr 11, 2026 source content shipped

high

Media

Details

Developer

Nicalis, Inc.

Publisher

Nicalis, Inc.

Achievements

Platform

Windows

Controller

full support

Steam Deck

Playable

Players

Single-player · Multiplayer · Co-op · Local/Split Screen

Exploration Metroidvania Difficult Platformer Shooter 2D Cute Story Rich Multiple Endings Action Anime Pixel Graphics Sci-fi Adventure Old School

About this game

Arguably the most well-known indie game of all time, Cave Story features a completely original storyline wrapped with personality, mystery and hours of fast-paced fun. Cave Story is an action-adventure game from the critically acclaimed independent designer, Daisuke Amaya--or Pixel to his fans. Overflowing with unmatched charm and character, Cave Story takes you into a rare world where a curious race of innocent rabbit-like creatures, called Mimigas, run free.
You wake up in a dark cave with no memory of who you are, where you came from or why you're in such a place. Uncovering Mimiga Village you discover that the once-carefree Mimigas are in danger at the hands of a maniacal scientist. The Mimigas’ only hope rest squarely on the shoulders of a quiet, amnesiac boy who can't remember his own name.
Run, jump, shoot, fly and explore your way through a massive action-adventure reminiscent of classic 8- and 16-bit games. Take control and learn the origins of this world’s power, stop the delusional villain and save the Mimiga!