Joystiq

Steam deals: Stealth Bastard, Closure, Snapshot, more this week

David Hinkle — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:45:00 EST

This week, Steam is discounting a dozen different indie games. Stealth Bastard Deluxe, a fast-paced 2D stealth game from Curve Studios, is a tempting $4.99. Closure, the dark platformer from Eyebrow Interactive, is a mere $3.39 - definitely worth the pittance. Snapshot is also $3.39, a puzzle platformer from Kyle Pulver built upon an inventive photography mechanic.

Retrovirus is half-off at $10, a shooter where players guide a ship through a computer system to eradicate a virus. Turret-based strategy game Sol Survivor is next on the list, down to $2.49 for the remainder of the sale. Spark Unlimited's Legendary, a shooter based on the Pandora's Box myth, joins the sale soiree for $1.24; Nikopal: Secrets of the Immortals is also $1.24, a 3D adventure game set in France during the year 2023. BC Kings, also $1.24, is s a strategy game set in the stone age.

The final three games rounding out the list are: Puzzle Kingdoms for $3.74, a game from the creators of Puzzle Quest in very much the same vein; 4 Elements, a color-matching game from Playrix Entertainment set in a fantasy world, for $2; and Cave Story+ for $4.99, Nicalis' port of Daisuke Amaya's lauded platform-adventure game. All of these games are on sale until May 6 at 10am PT.

Steam deals: Stealth Bastard, Closure, Snapshot, more this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story dev's Guxt rated for 3DS, will include vertical display mode

Mike Schramm — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 02:30:00 EST

As Cave Story designer Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya told us in an interview last March, he's been working on a version of his vertical scrolling shmup Guxt for the 3DS, and Nicalis, who's publishing the game, has just tweeted recently that it's been rated by the ESRB and is ready to go. You can download and play the game online for free on the PC right now, though the game will be updated for Nintendo's handheld for sure.

One of the game's producers has tweeted that the title will have a "vertical display mode", so players will be able to tilt the 3DS to hold it vertically, and see the game on a correctly-aligned screen, rather than having a bar running through the middle of the action. Unfortunately, there's no word on exactly when the game will arrive, but considering it's been in development for a while., "soon" is probably the answer you're looking for. Stay tuned.

Cave Story dev's Guxt rated for 3DS, will include vertical display mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Nov 2012 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story pre-emptively rated for additional platforms

JC Fletcher — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 13:30:00 EST

Last week, Cave Story's ESRB rating was updated to include new platforms: PS2, PS3, Vita, and Xbox 360 in addition to the existing 3DS, DSi, Wii, and PSP ratings. We contacted developer and publisher Nicalis to determine whether to expect Cave Story on even more platforms than it's already on.

In short, no. The ESRB ratings are not indication of definite plans. "We submitted all the consoles so that we wouldn't have to resubmit in the future," producer Tyrone Rodriguez told Joystiq, "IF [emphasis his] we ever decided to bring to those consoles."

The good news is that you are very likely to already have a platform to play Cave Story on.

Cave Story pre-emptively rated for additional platforms originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Nov 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NintendoWare Weekly: NSMB2 DLC, Cave Story, tons more

JC Fletcher — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:51:00 EST

There is entirely too much going on on the 3DS eShop this week. The New Super Mario Bros. 2 DLC is here, of course, and Pokemon Dream Radar shows up later on this week. Retail games Crosswords Plus and Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone launched digitally on Monday (and offer free access to Donkey Kong: Original Edition when bought on the eShop).

In addition, Cave Story is out on eShop, and it's a great port. In addition, Dr. Mario arrives on Virtual Console, there's a demo for Style Savvy: Trendsetters, and a new game called Samurai G is there as well.

Continue reading NintendoWare Weekly: NSMB2 DLC, Cave Story, tons more

NintendoWare Weekly: NSMB2 DLC, Cave Story, tons more originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Portabliss: Cave Story (3DS eShop)

JC Fletcher — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:00:00 EST

This is Portabliss, a column about downloadable games that can be played on the go.

In discussing any specific version of Cave Story, it's not particularly useful to evaluate it on its gameplay merits. Any version you pick up is going to be great on those terms. Even if you're playing it with a keyboard on PC, the controls are going to be responsive and movement is just going to be fun. It's one of the best Metroidvania-style games on any platform, and the release of a new version is just another excuse to try it. So try it!

What is more useful than evaluating each new version is unpacking the differences between the many, many versions. With that in mind, the new Cave Story for the 3DS on eShop is Cave Story in 3D, but it is not Cave Story 3D.

Gallery: Cave Story (3DS eShop)

Continue reading Portabliss: Cave Story (3DS eShop)

Portabliss: Cave Story (3DS eShop) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story's 3D revamp comes to eShop on October 4

Sinan Kubba — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 11:45:00 EST

Cave Story comes to the 3DS eShop next month, developer Nicalis tells us. The indie darling's revamp becomes available for download on October 4 for $9.99.

Not to be confused with 3DS game Cave Story 3D, this is effectively Cave Story+ minus the HD art and music that came to the Steam game. What the eShop version does include is all its sprites rendered in multi-layered 3D, the extra challenge modes, and widescreen support. Meanwhile, DSi owners aren't left out as a 2D version is also coming to DSiWare.

Gallery: Cave Story (2D DSiWare)

Cave Story's 3D revamp comes to eShop on October 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story+ hits the 3DS eShop soon, separate from Cave Story 3D

Jessica Conditt — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST

Cave Story+, an updated and 3D version of indie classic Cave Story, is slated to hit the 3DS eShop "in a month or so," developer and Nicalis CEO Tyrone Rodriguez told Destructoid. Cave Story+ is a remade, separate game from DSiWare's Cave Story 3D, not an update, meaning even those who own Cave Story 3D will have to purchase Cave Story+ new.

"I fought really hard to try to get it to be just a 'simple' update; I feel that Nintendo wanted the same thing too, but the logistics behind it are pretty huge," Rodriguez said. "The good thing is that if you already bought the DSiWare version on your 3DS and ever delete it, you'll still be able to download it. The update won't stop you from playing the prior version of the game."

A version of Cave Story+ launched on Steam last year, but the 3DS version will be different even from that iteration, Rodriguez said. The eShop version can't handle the Steam HD art or new music, but the sprites will be rendered in 3D, set to the beat of the original soundtrack.

Rodriguez teased a Steam update for Cave Story+ as well, saying, "You already know about the Cave Story+ Steam updates we have planned? How do online leaderboards for the challenges sound?" Sounds great, Rodriguez. Just great.

Cave Story+ hits the 3DS eShop soon, separate from Cave Story 3D originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story DSiWare still headed to Europe, but delayed

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST

Cave Story hitting DSiWare in North America over a year ago, but Europe is still waiting for an official release. It looks like the region will go without the delightful title a little longer, as it has failed certification with Nintendo of Europe. Responding to a question on Twitter, developer Nicalis noted that Cave Story was submitted to NOE in December but failed because of "some really minor crap with the manual." Nicalis hopes to submit the game yet again sometime this month.

Keep the faith, European Cave Story fans! Or you could always pick up the 3DS version.

Cave Story DSiWare still headed to Europe, but delayed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Humble Indie Bundle 4 adds free soundtracks for every game

David Hinkle — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:50:00 EST

Er, not every game ever -- that'd be impossible, you guys. We're talking soundtracks for every game in the fourth Humble Indie Bundle: Gratuitous Space Battles, Cave Story+, Jamestown, Bit.Trip Runner, Super Meat Boy, Shank and Nightsky HD.

The soundtracks are free to anyone who pays above the current average for the Bundle and, as usual, to anyone who's already purchased the bundle. You can snag them in mp3 format or, in the case of Super Meat Boy and Nightsky HD, also in FLAC.

Humble Indie Bundle 4 adds free soundtracks for every game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Deja Review: Cave Story 3D

JC Fletcher — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:15:00 EST

Not even a semi-controversial visual makeover can keep me from loving Cave Story. I admit to being a bit worried upon seeing the first screens of the new 3DS remake, Cave Story 3D, developed by Nicalis in conjunction with original creator Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya. And I admit now that the new polygonal graphics lack the extreme charm of the original pixels.

But Cave Story is a wonderful game on any platform, in any configuration. Those new graphics are there to sell the game to non-"core" gamers who see 2D art as archaic, and who have no pre-existing knowledge of the indie game scene or of Cave Story. The game still works with its new look. Besides, I was really, honestly impressed with the redone art in several areas. I enjoyed seeing the game reinterpreted, after seeing the original so, so many times.

Continue reading Deja Review: Cave Story 3D

Deja Review: Cave Story 3D originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story 3D screens come in all dimensional varieties

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST

What're you looking for, folks? Screens of Cave Story 3D's titular three-dimensional display, complete with left-right screen splitting? We have those. Want some slightly less complicated images of the game's spritely 2D mode? You know we got your back. (And we always will.)

Continue reading Cave Story 3D screens come in all dimensional varieties

Cave Story 3D screens come in all dimensional varieties originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Cave Story+' now available on Mac App Store, with new content

JC Fletcher — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:20:00 EST

If you want to try out the updated version of Cave Story that hit WiiWare in 2009 -- but, like, on a computer -- you can do so right this second. Developer Nicalis has released Cave Story+ on the Mac App Store.

Of course, Cave Story was originally a freeware game for PC, so why buy a computer version, beyond the positive feeling of giving Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya some compensation for his delightful game? This version includes the (optional) updated graphics and music from the WiiWare release, as well as a new "Wind Fortress" level designed by Amaya, with promises of more content updates in the future. Wind Fortress is "kind of tough, but features new enemies no one has seen," Nicalis producer Tyrone Rodriguez told Joystiq.

A Steam version for PC will follow soon, the press release notes. And, of course, a fully 3D remake of Cave Story -- completely different from this 2D update -- is due for 3DS in November.

Gallery: Cave Story + (PC, Mac)

Continue reading 'Cave Story+' now available on Mac App Store, with new content

'Cave Story+' now available on Mac App Store, with new content originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story 3D includes 'expanded' stages and Prinny, but not original game

JC Fletcher — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST

In an interview with Siliconera, NIS America producer Jack Niida hinted at a Prinny crossover in Cave Story 3D. "You can probably expect our most popular character in there. Aside from that, you might see him as an item, as well." Prinny is a shoo-in for NIS's most popular character, and it's been used in Cave Story 3D teaser images before (see above), so that's probably the dood in question.

Niida also offered a bit more info about the expanded content in the 3D version, which Nicalis hinted at during our preview. "For the old time fans of Cave Story, there aren't brand new stages," he said, "but what we did for these stages is we expanded it. So, there is more to it than there was before. There are new areas to explore; long time fans will definitely see the difference."

What won't be in Cave Story 3D is the original Cave Story. "That's one thing we were talking about too," he said, "but the problem was the amount of space on the card size. We sort of squeezed everything in and at this point we don't have enough space for it."

Cave Story 3D includes 'expanded' stages and Prinny, but not original game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story 3D to feature dimension-defying 2D sprite mode

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 21 May 2011 11:45:00 EST

Torn between your love of the original Cave Story's beautifully pixel-drawn sprites and your excitement for Cave Story 3D's complete reinvention of the game's hovering island-world? You can now have your cave and eat it too: NIS America recently announced the game's 2D sprite mode, which takes the original, flat characters and enemies and places them in remodeled 3D environments, Paper Mario-style.

Destructoid managed to get its hands on a pair of images of this double-dimensioned mode, one of which is posted above. Personally, we think it looks pretty gosh darn neat, though now we're going to have to worry about poor little Quote slipping through crevices in the cave floor. Guess it still beats getting squished by the wizard-king of Hell, but ... um, not by much.

Cave Story 3D to feature dimension-defying 2D sprite mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 May 2011 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story 3D dated once again, coming August 9

JC Fletcher — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:55:00 EST

We saw one Cave Story 3D release date before, on Nintendo's quarterly release schedule, but that turns out to have been inaccurate -- or the game has been delayed since then. In any case, scratch out the "Cave Story day!!!" note you put on your calendar's June 19 box and rewrite it under August 9. NIS will release the game in Europe sometime in September.

Along with announcing the date, NIS America released the box art image above, featuring protagonists Quote and Curly Brace checking out the 3DS logo on the side. The publisher also released a set of screenshots, each with a note that the game is "under development."

Gallery: Cave Story 3D (screens)

Cave Story 3D dated once again, coming August 9 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Interview: Cave Story's salaryman designer, Daisuke 'Pixel' Amaya

JC Fletcher — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:30:00 EST

Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya is one of just a few Japanese names in the indie gaming pantheon, after developing 2004's Cave Story entirely on his own as a labor of love. This year, he came to the Game Developers Conference to present a long-overdue postmortem about the development of Cave Story and to promote the upcoming 3DS remake, which he's working on with developer Nicalis and publisher NIS America. During this presentation, Amaya showed never-before-seen footage of a beta version of Cave Story, including locations, characters, and enemies that didn't make it into the beloved indie game.

Soon after the presentation, we sat down with the game designer, and found out that despite the popularity of Cave Story, he still has a day job. For now. " I still work full time as a salaryman," Amaya told Joystiq, "but from April I'm going to be a full time developer." He explained that he planned to leave his job as a programmer for large-scale printing equipment a year ago, but "everybody was like 'are you really okay with developing games?' They weren't really sure if I could support myself." As he also had to train his replacement, his transition to full-time game designer was delayed. " I have a wife, I have kids, so [his co-workers] were a bit worried. It's not like they doubt my skill."

Continue reading Interview: Cave Story's salaryman designer, Daisuke 'Pixel' Amaya

Interview: Cave Story's salaryman designer, Daisuke 'Pixel' Amaya originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story before it was Cave Story

JC Fletcher — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:30:00 EST

During his GDC talk "The Story of Cave Story," developer Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya revealed that two years into the development of his 2004 indie hit, he scrapped his game design and started completely over. He then proceeded to show a video of this beta.

This version is very different from what we eventually ended up playing. It featured not only Quote, but Sue and a frog prince as playable characters, each of whom takes over at a certain part of the story. The famous rectangular boss Balrog is present, but he's named "Puu" and has a much less expressive face. He's occasionally seen wearing a scuba mask or other facewear. He's joined by another soap-bar guy named Oscar, who can ... transform into an angry cloud that shoots lightning. And, of course, the level layouts were all different. Weapons aren't upgradable, and are only acquired by purchasing them from shops. The music, however, sounded like what made it into the final game.

We hastily snapped some pictures of the video in motion, so you can get a glimpse of this unreleased version in our gallery below. The quality isn't great, because, well, it was a video playing on a projector.

Gallery: Cave Story (Beta version)

Cave Story before it was Cave Story originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Rest: JC's picks of 2010

JC Fletcher — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST

Dragon Quest IX
DQIX is secretly two games: when you're playing through the main quest, it's a traditional JRPG with a light but interesting story populated by unexpectedly engaging characters and perfectly brisk pacing; then as you approach the end, it becomes a dungeon crawler driven by a dungeon map trading mechanic using the passive communication of the DS.

How compelling is that "tag mode" mechanic? I can't think of any other game for which I would go hang out at a GameStop and then a Best Buy, but that's exactly what I did when Nintendo held DQIX events this summer. I needed those maps. That's how I know this is my favorite game of 2010.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: JC's picks of 2010

Best of the Rest: JC's picks of 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Rest: Griffin's picks of 2010

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST

Cave Story
I am mad at everyone I've ever known for not telling me to play Cave Story before I grabbed it late last year. Within two months, I had beaten it four times across two different platforms. It's arguably the most charming game I've ever played, with deep layers of Metroidvania-esque exploration and a level of difficulty which expertly straddles the line between challenging and frustrating. It's one of the most polished games I played during the year, and if you find yourself with an overabundance of virtual Nintendo currency, you absolutely need to own it. Twice, if you have the means.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Griffin's picks of 2010

Best of the Rest: Griffin's picks of 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story comes to PAL WiiWare on December 10

David Hinkle — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:00:00 EST

You know, we really feel for you guys across the pond. Since March, we've had ample time to explore Cave Story on WiiWare. Patiently, you guys waited, and today we're glad to report that there's finally an end in sight to your longing: December 10. Or is that 10 December?

Developer Nicalis offered solace via Twitter, informing inquiring Europeans of the Cave Story launch date. In a later tweet, Nicalis clarified that the December 10 date applies to the entirety of the PAL territory, including New Zealand and Australia -- the game will set players back 1,000 Wii Points.

Gallery: Cave Story (WiiWare)

Cave Story comes to PAL WiiWare on December 10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NintendoWare Weekly: Cave Story, Cave Story

JC Fletcher — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:32:00 EST

Another relatively awesome week for DSiWare, WiiWare and, yes, even Virtual Console, as Cave Story arrives in both portable form on DSiWare and demo form on WiiWare. DSiWare also features a port of Two Tribes' Mac/iPhone puzzle game Frenzic. The Virtual Console offers the wonderful Neo Geo puzzler Magical Drop 2.

Gallery: Cave Story (DSiWare)

Continue reading NintendoWare Weekly: Cave Story, Cave Story

NintendoWare Weekly: Cave Story, Cave Story originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nicalis teases Nov. 29 release for DSiWare Cave Story

JC Fletcher — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST

Cave Story publisher Nicalis tweeted a November 29 release date for, well, something on DSiWare. "Guess what'll be available November 29th on DSiWare?!?," the publisher hinted. Luckily, this game of Guess Who? doesn't require the elimination of too many facial features, as Nicalis has only one known DSiWare project, and it's a good one: Cave Story.

It may come as a shock to those of us who waited so long for the WiiWare version to arrive -- or those in Europe still waiting for the WiiWare version. It's only been two months since the initial announcement of the DS port!

Nicalis teases Nov. 29 release for DSiWare Cave Story originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oh Yeaaah!! Here's Cave Story on DSiWare

JC Fletcher — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 03:00:00 EST

Great news about the DSiWare version of Cave Story: it looks like Cave Story! See for yourself after the break.

Continue reading Oh Yeaaah!! Here's Cave Story on DSiWare

Oh Yeaaah!! Here's Cave Story on DSiWare originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story update fixes sound glitches, adds GameCube controller support

JC Fletcher — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

If you've been troubled by audio issues or other annoyances in the WiiWare version of Cave Story, go download it again from the Wii Shop. Nicalis released an updated version of the remake this week, which addresses those sound issues and more.

According to the full list of changes we received from a reliable source, the looping in the original music has been improved, and the instrumentation in the remixed music is now mixed properly (so you can hear bass and drums, for example). In addition, the "typing" text noise is no longer far too loud. In non-sound-related changes, GameCube controller support has been added, and the "extra" modes are now unlockable instead of open from the beginning. Typos in the translation have also been edited, and transparency has been added to the graphics in several places, including when you open up the Home menu.

NeoGAFfer sfried notes that if you've saved Cave Story to an SD card, you'll have to delete the game ("channel") and redownload it. Otherwise, you can just grab the update from the Wii Shop.

Cave Story update fixes sound glitches, adds GameCube controller support originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nicalis details Cave Story's jump to DSiWare, WiiWare update coming

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 06:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

In a recent interview with the DS aficionados of Tiny Cartridge, Nicalis' Tyrone Rodriguez dropped a few details about the upcoming DSiWare port of Studio Pixel's delightful action-platformer, Cave Story. He explained that while the portable version will have some of the new features added in the WiiWare version launched earlier this year, Nicalis "kept it relatively lean in comparison mainly because this is more a perfect port of the original game." To that effect, there won't be any touch-screen controls -- instead, the bottom screen will simply display dialogue, player inventory and the world map.

Rodriguez couldn't confirm any specifics on pricing or a release date, but said "I would love to have this out before Halloween," later adding "I'd be surprised if it isn't released before the end of the year." He also references an upcoming update for the WiiWare version of the game, which will "address a game-breaking bug and a ton of other fan-requested fixes." For more details on the future of the cavernous indie hit, check out the full interview on Tiny Cartridge.

Nicalis details Cave Story's jump to DSiWare, WiiWare update coming originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 26 Sep 2010 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nicalis confirms Cave Story DSiWare, European release for WiiWare version

JC Fletcher — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

That small piece of artwork in the Nintendo Power table of contents today didn't represent a new look for Cave Story -- it was actually art by Mikael "Orioto" Aguirre, commissioned by Nicalis in honor of the announcement of the DSiWare version of the game. In an email statement, Nicalis confirmed said DSiWare version, saying that "the game is actually DONE, we're currently in final testing internally."

In addition, the long-awaited European version of the WiiWare game (even longer-awaited than the North American version!) is "still scheduled to be released."

Update: Nintendo Life posted three screens, revealing the "classic" Cave Story look, with an added map on the DS's bottom screen.

Nicalis confirms Cave Story DSiWare, European release for WiiWare version originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story for DSiWare listed in Nintendo Power

JC Fletcher — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:20:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

If you like playing Cave Story (and who doesn't) and you like being away from your TV when doing so, you're going to like this. The table of contents for the latest issue of Nintendo Power magazine spills the beans on a DSiWare version of Pixel's wonderful, wonderful game about a mysterious, underground civilization of rabbit people and the giant lunchboxes who terrorize them.

We've contacted Nicalis, who made the remake for WiiWare, for more details on this DSiWare version, so we can find out more about the features and (intended) release date. In the meantime, it's quite enough to imagine having an excuse to play Cave Story again.

Cave Story for DSiWare listed in Nintendo Power originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NintendoWare Weekly: Cave Story, Game & Watch

JC Fletcher — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:32:00 EST

You know what you're downloading on Wii today without having to look at the full list. In fact, we'll save you some time: Cave Story is the full list. In what we still regard as a pleasant surprise, Nicalis's remake is actually, for real, being released today! The only thing better than actually getting to play Cave Story today would be getting to download it for free -- which you just might be able to do, if you follow @nicalis on Twitter and take part in the dev's daily giveaway.

DSiWare is also home to pleasant surprises today, in the form of three DSiWare versions of Game & Watch minigames.

Gallery: Cave Story (WiiWare)

Continue reading NintendoWare Weekly: Cave Story, Game & Watch

NintendoWare Weekly: Cave Story, Game & Watch originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story includes playable Curly Brace

JC Fletcher — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST

In case anyone is still on the fence about paying for a WiiWare version of a freeware game -- although a couple of years of anticipation have probably killed that -- this Cave Story video (after the break) shows something pretty appealing: a second playable character. And not just any character, either. Curly Brace is a fan favorite, appearing in the game in a capacity we won't discuss too much to avoid spoilers.

We're checking with Nicalis now to learn more about her inclusion -- whether she's part of the initial download or DLC, and how her presence affects gameplay. Worst case scenario: we find out on Monday when the game comes out.

[Update: Nicalis has confirmed to Joystiq that Curly mode will be included with the initial download!]

Continue reading Cave Story includes playable Curly Brace

Cave Story includes playable Curly Brace originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Cave Story

David Hinkle — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:45:00 EST

This week's most noteworthy Nintendo Channel item is by far the Developer's Voice video on Cave Story above. Next week, we'll finally get to play it. How pumped are you? Like, beyond pumped? We sure hope so!

Head past the break for the rest of this week's content.

Gallery: Cave Story (WiiWare)

Continue reading This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Cave Story

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Cave Story originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo Media Summit 2010: The Recap Post

Xav de Matos — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST

The 2010 Nintendo Media Summit has come and gone, and sent a wave of huge Nintendo news through the industry. We had hands-on time with some of the Wii's biggest upcoming titles, screenshots for almost everything on Nintendo's 2010 calendar and a big ol' sack full of new videos. In case you missed anything, we've wrapped it all up and have it here for you in one tidy little package.

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Nintendo Media Summit 2010: The Recap Post originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WiiWare screens and trailers from Nintendo Media Summit

JC Fletcher — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:15:00 EST

Nintendo had a few awesome new WiiWare announcements at its Nintendo Media Summit, most notably, Cave Story! Most notably in the field of games we didn't know about, new Art Style games! The series hasn't been on Wii since the DSi came out, but now we've got Light Trax (a Wii version of the original bit Generations game Dotstream) and Rotozoa (a game about multi-tentacled organisms absorbing creatures of the same color) to look forward to this spring.

Check out the trailer for Light Trax above, and see a trailer for Rotozoa, as well as screens of Max and the Magic Marker, WiiWare's WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase, Rage of the Gladiator, And Yet It Moves, Super Meat Boy, and Cave Story after the break. Oh, man, Cave Story!

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WiiWare screens and trailers from Nintendo Media Summit originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story out on WiiWare March 22

JC Fletcher — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:44:00 EST

Finally.

Update: Developer Nicalis has confirmed the release date and noted that the extra modes previously announced as DLC -- Boss Rush and Sanctuary Time Attack -- are now included with the initial download, "so there's no need for additional downloads or purchases." Nice!

Gallery: Cave Story (WiiWare)

Cave Story out on WiiWare March 22 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Interview: Nicalis's Tyrone Rodriguez on Cave Story, La-Mulana, and more

JC Fletcher — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:30:00 EST

Nicalis, the developer of the anticipated Wii remake of the indie hit Cave Story, briefly noted in a Christmas Eve blog post that the WiiWare game had been delayed into 2010. It seemed like a good time to check in with Tyrone Rodriguez, head of Nicalis and producer on the title.

Rodriguez spoke to us a bit about the progress of the remake, as well as Nicalis's other projects, Nicklas "Nifflas" Nygren's physics-based platformer NightSky and another WiiWare remake of a retro-style cave exploration platformer, La-Mulana.

Continue reading Interview: Nicalis's Tyrone Rodriguez on Cave Story, La-Mulana, and more

Interview: Nicalis's Tyrone Rodriguez on Cave Story, La-Mulana, and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story coming 'after the new year' with new difficulty modes

JC Fletcher — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:45:00 EST

Cave Story, first announced in October 2008 for release that same year, has missed 2009. In a blog post, Nicalis confirmed that the remake of the brilliant freeware title won't be available until "after the new year." The last we'd heard, it had been submitted to Nintendo for approval in November, so it's likely that the holdup is with the platform holder.

In more positive news, Nicalis also revealed what the deal was with the alternate-color Quote sprite that it's been teasing on its Twitter account: it's the outfit the player character wears in the new Easy mode, one of three difficulty modes. Hard Mode, which gives you only 3HP and no missiles, features Quote in blue with blonde hair. The developer also has "a LOT" of DLC planned, "AND we're taking possible requests." Finally, as a little stocking stuffer (or ear stuffer), Nicalis posted three remixed Cave Story tunes. Huzzah for the holidays!

Cave Story coming 'after the new year' with new difficulty modes originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This Week on the Nintendo Channel: E3 interviews

David Hinkle — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:15:00 EST

This week, the Nintendo Channel has been flooded with a variety of interviews about big upcoming Wii titles. There are interviews with the folks behind FFCC: The Crystal Bearers, Red Steel 2, Cave Story, and, as you can see above, Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles. So, hit up the video above, then if you want more E3 interview goodness, be sure to boot up your Wii and check out what's on the Nintendo Channel.

Gallery: Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Wii)

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This Week on the Nintendo Channel: E3 interviews originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo celebrates one year of WiiWare

JC Fletcher — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:45:00 EST

On May 12 of last year, Nintendo of America launched the WiiWare download service with Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King, LostWinds, Defend Your Castle, Pop, VIP Casino: Blackjack, and TV Show King. Today, on the one-year anniversary of that launch, Nintendo sent out a video featuring the highlights of the service's 81-game lineup.

For all the complaining Nintendo fans do about WiiWare, and Nintendo system releases in general, all the games presented in this video make for a pretty strong year of releases. In the press release about the anniversary, Nintendo gave us reasons to be excited about the next year of WiiWare, including Cave Story, Icarian: Kindred Spirits, Super Meat Boy, Cave Story, Bit.Trip: CORE, Cave Story, Final Fantasy IV: The After Years and CAVE STORY.

Nintendo celebrates one year of WiiWare originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 May 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo of Europe reveals April-June WiiWare/DSiWare releases, including Cave Story

JC Fletcher — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:25:00 EST

As mentioned in the announcement of Squibs Arcade, Nintendo of Europe is holding a WiiWare (and DSiWare) media summit this week. During the event, Nintendo released a list of WiiWare and DSiWare games planned for release between April and June.

On WiiWare, the biggest news is Cave Story! Even though we knew it was scheduled for release in April or May, seeing more confirmation of that (for more regions) is great! Swords & Soldiers is also on the way. In addition, there are also a few games we haven't heard much (or anything) about. Each game has a brief description in Nintendo's announcement.

Bonsai Barber
Cave Story
ColorZ
Crystal Defenders R1
Icarian: Kindred Spirits
LIT
Overturn: Mecha Wars
Robocalypse: Beaver Defense
Spaceball: Revolution
Squibs Arcade
Swords & Soldiers
Water Warfare

In DSiWare, the most exciting title (to us) is Nintendo's Art Style: PiCOPiCT, a retro-Nintendo-themed puzzler with reinterpreted NES music by YMCK.

A Little Bit of... Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: Maths Edition
Art Style: PICOPICT
Mighty Flip Champs!
Mixed Messages
Pop Superstar: Road to Celebrity
Real Football 2009

[Via NintendoLife]

Nintendo of Europe reveals April-June WiiWare/DSiWare releases, including Cave Story originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Night Game got to WiiWare

JC Fletcher — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST

The silhouette-style puzzle platformer Night Game represents the first WiiWare release from Knytt creator Nicklas "Nifflas" Nygren. Nifflas and Tyrone Rodriguez from developer Nicalis spoke with Gamasutra (specifically, Joystiq alum Eric Caoili!) about the new game and about its home on WiiWare.

Surprisingly, Night Game, which still isn't its final title, wasn't intended for WiiWare at first. Rodriguez made the call to put Night Game on WiiWare early in development. Nifflas told Gamasutra that "I've always wanted there to be a PC build of (Night Game), since many of my fans have been waiting for this game. I however respect Tyrone's decision here." Adapting the game concept to the Wii Remote led to a change in control mapping that "would have been an advantage even on a PC version. "

It was GoNintendo's RawMeatCowboy, according to Nifflas, who put him in contact with Nicalis, and therefore indirectly led to Night Game becoming a WiiWare title.

How Night Game got to WiiWare originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cave Story dev: Nintendo opens Wii to Flash development

JC Fletcher — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:00:00 EST

Nicalis's Tyrone Rodriguez went to a "secret developer summit" for Nintendo developers in Los Angeles this week, bringing back news of an important new announcement for WiiWare game creators: Nintendo has now made it possible to develop Wii games entirely using Flash -- something that is presumably most useful for WiiWare. We will probably hear more about this new WiiWare Flash functionality at GDC -- it seems an appropriate venue.

"This should open up the Wii to a lot of web developers who already can do killer Flash games," Rodriguez said. You may think of this as enabling more quick shovelware, but we think of it as enabling Dolphin Olympics 2.

In other news, The Escapist has posted an interview with Rodriguez and Cave Story creator Pixel that provides some insight into the kind of DLC planned for Cave Story. Rodriguez said that the structure is being designed to allow "all sorts of fun stuff like Boss Rush Mode or other fan-requested modes."

Cave Story dev: Nintendo opens Wii to Flash development originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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