Cuphead Nintendo Switch Review
Cuphead Nintendo Switch
Publisher: Studio MDHR
Developer: Studio MDHR
Genre:
PEGI:
Comments:
Cuphead has to be one of the most successful indie games to grace our presence in the past decade. It combines a classic platformer feel with a wacky and unique cartoon aesthetic, topped with very challenging and rewarding gameplay. If you have not yet found the time to experience Cuphead in all of its glory do not fret! Cuphead and it’s DLC, ‘The Delicious Last Course’, are available on the most mobile and versatile gaming console ever, the Nintendo Switch!
Champion’s Cup(head)
It can be difficult to explain just how good Cuphead is as a game. There are so many subtle elements that meld together seamlessly to create what is, in my mind, one of the most enjoyable and addictive games to ever be released. This may seem like an outlandish statement when compared to AAA blockbuster hits like Assassin’s Creed, Halo, Doom and many, many other franchises that have seen incredible success and, in all fairness, have done so on the backbone of some amazing games.
I will still let my opinion stand, however, as the simple nature of this game is a huge selling point. Anyone can pick it up and learn the controls in a few short minutes, but each level and boss presents a new challenge that can take dozens of attempts to master. The graphics are perfect for the imagery Studio MDHR was trying to achieve – it looks like a cartoon straight out of the 1930s golden age of animation and has the over-the-top, surreal enemies and encounters that you would expect to accompany such a game. The soundtrack is also perfectly in line with the whole aesthetic!
Not Your Parents’ Platformer
Now, for those of you who are unfamiliar with Cuphead, I recommend reading out full review HERE, but I will offer a quick run-down as well! Cuphead is an old-school, unforgiving platformer that centres around zany boss battles, each with their own unique mechanics. there are some longer levels that might be more reminiscent of a traditional platformer, but there is a heavy focus on boss battles, driven nicely by the plotline.
There are multiple difficulties, but I wouldn’t say the game is ever ‘easy’. It seems to provide quite the challenge regardless of difficulty levels, and for the achievement hunters and scoreboard leaders, you will be pleased to know that you are rated at the end of every level based on your performance, receiving a letter grade accordingly. Personally, I had to put this out of my mind after I spent 2 or more hours trying to get an ‘A’ on my first boss fight – it was never going to happen!
The newly released DLC for Cuphead, ‘The Delicious Last Course’, provides a ton of new content and access to a new character, Miss Chalice! There is truly no reason to play Cuphead without this DLC, as it adds plenty of playtime to a game that you will not want to put down.
Switch It Up
Now, I’m sure many of you have, at the very least, heard of Cuphead. It made quite a splash when it was first released to PC and Xbox in 2017, and its subsequent releases to mac, Playstation and the Nintendo Switch have kept the buzz going. Now, with it’s DLC dropping mere weeks ago, Cuphead is back in the minds of gamers everywhere.
Personally, I am extremely thankful that I was able to enjoy Cuphead on my Nintendo Switch, as the Cuphead Switch version feels like it was the intended format to experience this title. The old-school graphics, classic game format and handheld Switch offer a retro gaming environment like no other. You become totally immersed in the game and you can almost hear and smell the familiar sensations of a classic arcade.
Of course, playing on your TV while docked is a fine option as well, but handheld Cuphead is what dreams are made of. I’ve almost missed meetings because I was so absorbed in beating a particular level.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, Cuphead remains one of my favourite games of all time. I will always recommend it to anyone who has a tolerance for challenging platformer games, as it is ten times as rewarding as it is difficult. Now, though, I can also staunchly throw my support behind the Cuphead Switch version and DLC ‘The Delicious Last Course’, as this feels like how Cuphead was truly meant to be played.