Arguably the most well-known indie game of all time, Cave Story features a completely original storyline wrapped with personality and mystery. An action-adventure game from well-known independent designer, Daisuke Amaya - or Pixel to his fans, Cave Story overflows with charm and character and 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. On discovering Mimiga Village, you discover that the once-carefree Mimigas are at the hands of a maniacal scientist. The Mimigas’ only hope rests squarely on the shoulders of a quiet, amnesiac boy who can't even remember his own name. Read More »
There are 15 levels to explore, over 20 boss battles and 10 unique weapons to find and upgrade. Featuring new character designs and three unique endings, it’s up to you to stop the delusional villain and save the Mimigas!















User Comments
1. nintensage
02 Oct 2008, 19:26 BST
I'm up for this game!
2. Wiiloveit
02 Oct 2008, 19:42 BST
Nice, it certainly sounds good so far
3. Jazzem
02 Oct 2008, 19:54 BST
Cave Story is fantastic and easily one of my all time favourite games. I'm very happy to see it'll get a new audience via WiiWare
4. Adam
02 Oct 2008, 20:01 BST
I just finished it a month ago on PC. Definitely looking forward to playing through it many more times on Wii! For 2D gamers, this is easily one of the greatest games since the SNES days. Maybe that doesn't say very much, but it's damn near perfect.
5. Boringman54
02 Oct 2008, 21:21 BST
I'm defnitely getting this.
6. Pegasus
02 Oct 2008, 21:44 BST
Looking very much forward to it.
7. Mr_chippy
02 Oct 2008, 22:13 BST
cant wait
8. Serpent
02 Oct 2008, 22:20 BST
This game is amazing....its a must own for me.
9. Ricardo91
02 Oct 2008, 22:28 BST
This game looks even cooler in video form! Can't wait, even though updated graphics would've been nice. I'd love too see more shareware games come to Wiiware too, like Hocus Pocus (I'll give a cookie to anyone who remembers/ knows what Hocus Pocus is.).
Edit: I guess there ARE gonna be updeted graphics. Sorta...
10. RetroWare
03 Oct 2008, 01:50 BST
This game looks awesome! Also, I'm really digging the music, its amazing!!!
11. Objection
03 Oct 2008, 04:58 BST
Thanks for the vid. Now I really want it. I can't even think about prices because I just might this at any.
12. Zak
03 Oct 2008, 08:24 BST
Epic game, loved the PC-Version. Can't wait for this.
13. Drake
03 Oct 2008, 12:42 BST
Remember that the video and screens are from the PC version, we don't know anything about the WiiWare version other than that it's coming and that it'll have extras
14. Ferret75
03 Oct 2008, 20:00 BST
Another retro game. ^^
15. Linkuini
03 Oct 2008, 23:04 BST
At first I kind of hated the music in that video because it sounded like a crappy cell phone ringtone. Then it got stuck in my head ALL DAY!
16. hal
04 Oct 2008, 01:10 BST
r the extras made by PIXEL himself?
edit: COOL!
17. WiiMan192
05 Oct 2008, 07:28 BST
If the review is good, and the price is reasonable (no doubt it will be, with Pixel's generosity), I may consider a download. As long as I have Wii Points. And memory. And the time to play it. And the interest to play it. And the heart to clear the fridge. And a good review. And a reasonable price. And did I mention memory?
Stuff it, I'll download it anyway
18. RetroWare
06 Oct 2008, 22:59 BST
Aww, the site hasn't gone up yet...
19. Big_Sexy
07 Oct 2008, 06:12 BST
Site's live now, guys. Check it out. The main page song is pretty cool, and fitting.
EDIT: OMG the wallpapers are randomly generated. My brother got different wallpapers than I did.
20. Drake
07 Oct 2008, 15:32 BST
Yup, the site's theme is my favourite music from the game. I'm not sure I like this arrangement though, I prefer the original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ7Sdd9menI
Thankfully you can select both the original music or the arrangements in the game
21. Pocketim
08 Oct 2008, 05:13 BST
Just a question, does Cave Story revolve a lot around combat rather then actual platforming (run 'n jump)? because if it does, then I might give it a miss...
22. Drake
08 Oct 2008, 08:04 BST
It's about equal.
23. zombiekillr
10 Oct 2008, 01:00 BST
looks really fun... but sorta hard and confusing
24. Garrett
13 Oct 2008, 02:48 BST
"Overflowing with unmatched charm and character, Cave Story takes players into a world where a race of rabbit-like creatures, called Mimigas, run free on a serene floating island."
sounds like rayman raving rabbids
but besides that i think i'll watch the review first
25. deadly_by_design
13 Oct 2008, 15:29 BST
I think I'd prefer to support the dev and buy WiiWare, rather than playing the existing freeware incarnation. (assuming it's 1000 pts or less)
26. GundamMac
13 Oct 2008, 21:52 BST
I saw the video, and I have to say, WOW! I definitely have to get this game! Can't wait!
27. MrPinguy
14 Oct 2008, 18:01 BST
Please release this at Europe
I love Cave Story
28. MoneybagzX
15 Oct 2008, 05:33 BST
Has kinda a megaman feel to it
29. Kelvin
24 Oct 2008, 12:27 BST
Absolutely brilliant game, and it will be great to play it on a TV! I've been hoping to see t on Wiiware since the service was announced, as in many ways Cave Story feels like a classic Nintendo game of yesteryear. Its spiritual home is on a Nintendo console, so the release is very fitting. Wiiware's killer app?
30. gameking23
08 Dec 2008, 02:19 GMT
I hope this game comes out b4 Christmas.
31. Shadx
15 Dec 2008, 07:27 GMT
@gameking23: me too.
Love the music, really catchy. Reminds me of the guys at Nitrome or the guys who made Dino Run (you can find it at X Gen Studios). Can't wait!
32. lockelocke
19 Dec 2008, 22:54 GMT
Wow, what rock have I been living under? This looks hella good.
33. deadly_by_design
22 Dec 2008, 18:12 GMT
@gameking23
Looks like we'll both be disappointed. For some reason, I was under the impression that this was slated for an '08 release. Oh well.
34. Objection
24 Dec 2008, 02:26 GMT
Its always seemed like a Q1 09 to me. Looks like i was right...so far...
35. DJGOYO
29 Dec 2008, 17:44 GMT
The sound is the best of game
36. Djamatik
05 Jan 2009, 16:58 GMT
story about caveman
37. Djamatik
05 Jan 2009, 16:59 GMT
i hope is good.
38. tatemon555
05 Jan 2009, 21:19 GMT
I want this so badly, that my eyeballs just popped out and I can't see what I'm writing e nhljbjla rwljkbl ljan;lb.sab...
I couldn't get this on my computer, so this is on my "must buy" list for Wiiware.
39. tkubas1
25 Jan 2009, 20:52 GMT
I'm waiting for the review, looks to busy.
40. WiiwareFan09
10 Feb 2009, 22:29 GMT
how many players was the one for the pc
41. GundamMac
15 Feb 2009, 04:00 GMT
@WiiwareFan09
It was a singleplayer-only game.
42. KrazyKain
19 Feb 2009, 23:57 GMT
This game is a must have... Pixel is an inspiration to me as a game developer, I can only hope to release a game by myself half as good as his...
43. Rhansley64
23 Feb 2009, 22:41 GMT
looks interesting not sure if it's worth the cash cause on PC is a Freeware game.
44. VenomTheEvil
06 Mar 2009, 18:20 GMT
@ KrazyKain
Hay man nice to see you on this website!
Anyway I have not really played too much of cave story sadly. I did enjoy the PC version. At this point I may as well wait for this version
45. KnucklesSonic8
07 Mar 2009, 20:10 GMT
Never played Cave Story before so I'll definitely be getting this.
46. Rockbandmonkey
12 Mar 2009, 21:25 GMT
I want to get this as soon as it comes out, but unfortunately since Evasive Space I always wait for the review before I make a purchase so the sooner the better!
47. Objection
19 Mar 2009, 22:58 GMT
I've recently played a few hours of the freeware version. Its hard but a lot of fun and I can't wait for the WW version.
48. motang
04 Apr 2009, 03:13 BST
DROOL!
49. NintendoFreak
07 Apr 2009, 15:02 BST
meh, i dont like it...oooh, who will be the 50th person to comment?
50. WiiwareFan09
07 Apr 2009, 23:15 BST
Man when will this come to America and NintendoFreak I guess it's me.
51. Pastry4prez
12 Apr 2009, 21:52 BST
The only freeware game that I would rather have on Wiiware is Within a Deep Forest. That game would RULE if it had motion controls.
52. timp29
23 Apr 2009, 23:17 BST
lol that game is retro. The music made me want to laugh
53. Marioman64
03 May 2009, 20:59 BST
http://nicalis.com/blog/2009/03/08/cave-story-update-crunch-time/
http://nicalis.com/blog/2009/04/06/cave-story-isnt-delayed-until-september/
they said we'll be playing by the beggining of may, and tomorrow is the first monday in may so there ya go .
i can't wait, i've tried to hook my computer up to the tv with no success, so this'll make it easier to play on the tv :3
and, for those who think its not worth buying since the pc version is free, there's bonus content, music remixes and graphics approved by pixel, and you get to play using the wii-mote, how cool is that?
@pie4prez
i love that game, yes that would win, and think of all the bonus content that one could have, time attack maybe? achievments? idunno but it'd be cool
54. darthmix
22 May 2009, 15:13 BST
The more I hear about this game the more I want it.
55. LEGEND_MARIOID
01 Jun 2009, 10:31 BST
This could be a one of the very best wiiware titles yet. Though I'm still not sure its for me.
56. Marioman64
01 Jun 2009, 17:14 BST
looks like my predictions have failed again x.x
however, it says summer 2009 up there, AND early 2009 IS January thru June, and summer is June 21st... i think
so... just 3 weeks to go! huzzah!
57. linrek-1
21 Jun 2009, 08:17 BST
great characters 10/10
cool weapons 10/10
I completed it 2 times about 10 hours 8/10
Difficulty: a bit to easy with some weapons 7/10
Great sound and graphics 10/10
story: well above average 8/10
Feels like a mix of a rpg, shooter and platformer what can go wrong 9/10
58. tatemon555
24 Jul 2009, 19:16 BST
oh my gosh it's almost here!
59. JRAPOCALYPSE
27 Jul 2009, 18:19 BST
Graphically i have seen better in the nes day's but the gameplay looks to be solid or so i hope,maybe i'll give this a shot.
60. Pastry4prez
28 Jul 2009, 22:54 BST
I hope it comes out this week!!
61. Mama_Luigi
13 Aug 2009, 11:43 BST
It's coming to Europe tomorrow, i just know it!
62. LEGEND_MARIOID
15 Aug 2009, 16:08 BST
It didn't
..though I'm in the minority who won't be downloading it.
63. SSBFan_12
17 Aug 2009, 03:29 BST
hopefully at the middle of september
64. Jockolantern
17 Aug 2009, 13:11 BST
Words cannot express how disappointed I am that DeceasedCrab has no love for this particular iteration of the game. I, for one, still cannot wait to get my grubby hands on it. The success of a game like this on WiiWare should bode very well for the future of not only indie game developers on WiiWare but more platformers like Cave Story and La-Mulana to be commissioned for the service. It's a win-win as far as I'm concerned and an excuse to go for all-out completion on the game, experience the new visual/music upgrades, download the new content as it is released, and support Pixel with my money for his amazing work on this game in the first place. He has always deserved it. It's just a shame some don't see it that way.
65. ICEknight
18 Aug 2009, 10:53 BST
Who is that DeceasedCrab and why should we care.
66. vakama94
22 Aug 2009, 06:33 BST
he is a youtube user that ade a lets play series o f cave story and la-mulana, but the way he did those lets plays, was very comical
67. gameking23
25 Aug 2009, 22:54 BST
August is almost over so where is Cave Story?
68. GotWii
02 Sep 2009, 19:07 BST
Not sure on this one looks like a full featured game, but from the video it seams too dated (mid-late 2D area). I will wait for reviews but I do not think I will be downloading this one.
69. zeeroid
13 Sep 2009, 21:24 BST
fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu- when is this coming out!?
70. Meffaliss
16 Sep 2009, 23:57 BST
This looks....AWSOME!
71. cheetahman91
30 Sep 2009, 02:05 BST
I will definitely purchase this one the day it comes out.
72. John3714
04 Oct 2009, 19:49 BST
But when will that be?
I'm really hoping for tomorrow. On my two week break, need something to play.
73. cheetahman91
15 Oct 2009, 01:21 BST
Please come out the 19th, please come out the 19th, pleast come out the 19th...
Edit: Damn. Well Lostwinds 2 is a great substitution for this.
74. cheetahman91
25 Oct 2009, 22:43 GMT
Please come out tomorrow, please come out tomorrow...
75. cheetahman91
02 Nov 2009, 23:13 GMT
Dear lord, I'm sick and tired of waiting. Playing Cave Story with a 360 controller is no fun!
76. Mr_Saturn
11 Dec 2009, 05:36 GMT
I can wait one more week, but as soon as break starts I'm going to play this on the PC and ignore the Wii Ware version.
77. Tsuchinoko
17 Dec 2009, 04:25 GMT
am i the only one who only has a passing interest in this game, but has been dying to get ahold of Night Game?
Seriously, people talk about this game all the time and Night Game barely gets a mention
78. SteveW
18 Dec 2009, 22:04 GMT
You just might be the only one Tsuchinoko... I never heard of Night Game until now, I looked it up and watched the video. It's weird, could be good but doesn't come anywhere close to getting my interest as Cave Story does.
79. gameking23
20 Dec 2009, 02:46 GMT
Still waiting. I sure hope this game comes out soon.
80. Elvis444
02 Jan 2010, 23:05 GMT
No Tsuchinoko- I can't wait for Night Game. Thought I am very excited to play this too.
81. cheetahman91
08 Jan 2010, 20:47 GMT
We'll probably see this sometime in the Spring.
82. IkaChan
19 Jan 2010, 22:44 GMT
Is this even coming out for US? i have been waiting FOREVER!
83. gameking23
31 Jan 2010, 02:51 GMT
@Werbie yes it will come out in the US, and yes it has been forever.
84. Namo
26 Feb 2010, 10:36 GMT
Everyone who doesn't get this game has horrible taste in games.
85. gameking23
08 Mar 2010, 23:53 GMT
Only two weeks left!!!
86. antimarc
22 Mar 2010, 18:32 GMT
this game is absolutely phenomenal. thanks nicalis!
87. cheetahman91
22 Mar 2010, 20:18 GMT
Nintendolife had best give this no less than a 10/10.
88. Marioman64
22 Mar 2010, 21:49 GMT
now that it's out and i got through all 3 endings (yeah im a fast one aren't I? it's actually my first time beating hell, go figure) i wanna share my views
-first off, the sound effects are WAY too loud, i recommend turning them down to one notch below half. the music is beautifull in most cases but some parts it seems like the went overboard, buts its cool
-next, the music doesnt smoothly flow through transitions such as scene changes in cutscenes (namely the first one) and if you get an item using the old music and push a button before the sound finishes playing it cuts it off. there are some new tracks in parts where the music was a completely different song (the credits are now the theme song) and i have yet to see if the old music puts the credits to the usual music, idunno
-other than the sound and music, everything is beautifull! everything is so shiny and new! it looks the same but feels polished and just awesomer.
-now for the translation. there's two parts that sadden me, one, the part where you've rescued four dogs and you can talk to them. in the old one they said:
dog 1: Arf!
dog 2: Arf arf!
dog 3: Arf arf arf!
dog 4: Booop.
which was funny and cute, now they all just make dog noises, and the last one goes "bow wow wow wow" or something
AND, balrog doesn't say huzzah! he says... he says....
"oooh yeeeaah!"
i saw it and facepalmed... it hurt my soul a bit, but i recovered, telling myself this is the wiiware balrog not the real one
other than those blunders there's some interesting new text, curly talks in her play mode, and the password into Sue's mom's place is Yrots Evac (cave story spelled backwards, as intended in the first place)
so overall the game is well intact, there's some hickups and you'll notice them, but its not much, and it doesnt mess with the fun physics either, all the jumping is the same
and that's what i have to say. i give the PC version 10/10 and the wiiware version 9.9999999999/10 because balrog doesnt yell huzzah, and that is the only reason
.89. antimarc
23 Mar 2010, 01:23 GMT
@marioman64 I actually love Balrog's "ohhh yeeeeeaaaahhh" because it reminds me of when kool aid man would burst through the wall
90. Faron
23 Mar 2010, 02:06 GMT
isn't the controls better with wii's controller than keyboard? If so, that's a real reason to rate wii version higher (and better graphics, of course).
91. ZOTZMAN
23 Mar 2010, 04:52 GMT
There are some subtle and not so subtle changes but over all I say it's dynamite! Truly one of the most inspiring games I have played/am playing!
92. RadioShadow
23 Mar 2010, 13:03 GMT
"oooh yeeeaah!"
[Balrog bursts though RS's bedroom wall]
<_<
93. Marioman64
23 Mar 2010, 13:21 GMT
@antimarc but that's exactly WHY i facepalmed! the first thing i thought of was the kool-aid man bursting through the wall! it doesn't matter though, whenever i'm reading the text to myself (and when im not...) i shall always yell HUZZAH! when balrog enters the room...
(someone tell pixel to make a patch that makes balrog say huzzah)
94. Marioman64
23 Mar 2010, 13:24 GMT
oh and anyone know the difference in the difficulty modes? this is what i've found out so far:
normal: play as red hatted awesome mr. traveler with everything the same
hard: play as mr. "i have no clue" and scream as you realise all the health capsules and missiles are gone!
easy: play as mr. yellow hat traveler and uh... i haven't figured out this one but i DO know you don't die if you fall in the first spikes you see
95. Marioman64
24 Mar 2010, 03:45 GMT
more stuff i want to say because i have nowhere else to post it:
-you CANNOT use the old graphics when playing through cave story as curly brace, for some reason it doesn't work. if you try to it forces the newer graphics onto it. you also cannot choose a difficulty on this mode
-whenever the scene switches or you go through a door the music pauses for a bit, then continues to play (most noticeable right after the egg corridor in the conversation between Sue and Kazuma)
-balrog doesn't say "huzzah!" anymore and could be infringing on the kool-aid man's trademark of busting through walls yelling "oh yeah!"
can someone with better connections ask pixel to fix these minor glitches? i'm not trying to be a big complainer with all these posts, i just want to make it better
96. James
24 Mar 2010, 11:03 GMT
@Marioman64 With the game already available on the service it's highly unlikely Pixel or Nicalis will return to the game to alter the game. They spent a long time working on it, long enough for me to assume it's in the state they want it to be in.
97. Saber
24 Mar 2010, 17:52 GMT
looks like a cheap pc game lol
98. grumblebuzzz
25 Mar 2010, 05:18 GMT
I didn't expect much out of this game at all being that usually games that are heavily hyped and beloved end up falling short for me, but I must say that I LOVE it. Very much.
99. Pastry4prez
26 Mar 2010, 01:42 GMT
Best... WiiWare... Game... Ever...
100. Maxsh
30 Mar 2010, 22:27 BST
100th post get! : D Also, amazing, amazing game.
101. Angaran
04 Apr 2010, 04:18 BST
I agree!!
102. pixelman
19 Apr 2010, 03:51 BST
Yeah, this is an insanely good game. Also, I think it's worth mentioning that playing it on the Wii is far more enjoyable than on the PC.
103. Brainhost
21 Jun 2010, 10:20 BST
Hmm.. I really want this to come out for PAL soon...
104. leifertin
05 Oct 2010, 16:52 BST
Never heard of this till I saw it here for WiiWare.
I'm usually quite stingy when it comes to buying stuff from there but that was a near instant, whim, purchase. I don't regret it for even a millisecond.
Amazing game and now I'm listening to the Remixed Soundtrack from here.
105. Mithos
09 Jan 2011, 10:35 GMT
Definitely the best WiiWare game.