Common Sense Media Review
By Mark Raby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Vintage-style adventure digs up the right dose of nostalgia.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
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Shovel Knight
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
Kids say this game is a fantastic retro-style platformer with nostalgic graphics and music, which provides a fun yet challenging experience. Many reviewers noted its difficulty, suggesting that it may not be suitable for younger players or novices in gaming, though its charming characters and engaging gameplay keep players returning for more.
- retro graphics
- challenging gameplay
- suitable for older kids
- fun characters
- nostalgic experience
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
SHOVEL KNIGHT's story revolves around a hero who must defeat all kinds of enemies to save the girl of his dreams. It's perfectly fine that the story is so predictable, because that's what the game is designed to be. Players will dash through a seemingly endless array of dungeons, mazes, and claustrophobic rooms in which they're trapped with large fantastical creatures. They'll be focused on pressing buttons at the right time, trying not to fall onto a floating block of flames or down a bottomless chasm. The game doesn't take itself too seriously and is in many ways a parody of different franchises from the golden age of cartridge-based video game consoles.
Is It Any Good?
Shovel Knight will easily strike a nostalgic chord with any gamer who remembers the days before high-definition graphics, surround sound, and cinematic story lines. Younger players may not relate to the dated visuals, but the fun factor, gameplay, and sense of accomplishment after beating a difficult level are timeless qualities for everyone.
What's unique about this game is that it uses several classic gameplay styles. It's not only a 2-D adventure game, run-from-point-A-to-point-B side-scrolling action game, or a mind-bending puzzle-solving game. Instead, it has elements of all these genres wrapped into a nice, cohesive package. Players of any age should be able to appreciate what it has to offer.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Shovel Knight's retro style. In this day of high-definition graphics, virtual reality, and motion-based gameplay, why is a game such as this still so appealing?
When you fail to complete a level, do you get upset and frustrated, or do you strive to do better next time?
If you were a video game hero, whom or what would you risk your life to protect at all costs?
Game Details
- Platforms : Nintendo 3DS , Nintendo Wii U
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Yacht Club Games
- Release date : June 26, 2014
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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