1. Shovel Knight
Developer: Yacht Club Games
Released: Wii U eShop, 3DS eShop (2014)
Shovel Justice; need I say more? In all seriousness, Shovel Knight has become a new highpoint for indie developers moving forward. A lot of games strive to recreate or mimic the glory days of 8-bit platformers, but few can claim to have done that and be innovative at the same time. Shovel Knight went on to deliver a game that took the best of titles like Mega Man and DuckTales, while also infusing them with modern day touches that appease both longtime and newer players.
Optional checkpoints serve to increase or decrease the game’s already admirable difficulty level, a stroke of genius that I hope other, future retro titles consider. Also, while plenty of games on this list have solid 8-bit presentations, Shovel Knight is one of the most authentic to grace any console in quite a while (outside of Retro City Rampage, of course). It’s almost surreal playing Shovel Knight, because it so effectively exists in a world between the past and present. With impeccable pacing, a ton of replay value, and some addictive gameplay, Shovel Knight is the pinnacle of indie gaming on a Nintendo console… so far.
And another Top Ten has come to a close! Astonished that Shantae didn’t make the cut? Confounded that Jett Rocket didn’t get a spot? Shocked that anyone even remembers LostWinds? Sound off in the comments!
Couldn’t agree more with number 2. It’s great! Just started playing Guacamelee! Great stuff :)