Cave Story (WiiWare)

News Article

Updated Cave Story Artwork Causes Controversy

Posted Fri, 10 Oct 2008 by Corbie Dillard

It seems that many diehard Cave Story fans have recently become divided over the slightly updated artwork that will be used in the upcoming WiiWare version of Cave Story. Many fans have already expressed their dislike of the more detailed look Daisuke Amaya has given Toroko, feeling that it takes away from the classic old-school look the game has always featured.

Nicalis recently provided a side-by-side comparison of both the old and new artwork to show these subtle differences. They blew the artwork of Toroko up 800 times to show these changes pixel by pixel. You can take a look at the picture below to see the differences for yourself.

So what do you think of the differences? Are they good or should Daisuke Amaya, or Pixel as he's known to many of his fans, have stayed with the classic artwork? We'd love to hear from everyone on the subject. Even those who are wondering why in the world people are actually getting up in arms over something this trivial. :)

EDIT: Nicalis has clarified that there will be an option in the game to switch between "classic" and "modern" graphic styles.

Untitled

Source: NICALiS

Tags: WiiWare, Nicalis, Debate.

Game Screenshots

User Comments

Objection_Blaster

1. Objection_Blaster United States 10 Oct 2008, 23:31 BST

I think it would be fine in its original art but I'm good either way. I just want to play it on my Wii!!
EDIT: My 2nd first this week! Anyway, why not have it as an option in the game to have the original graphics or the updated graphics? That would be a cool option.

AlexSays

2. AlexSays United States 10 Oct 2008, 23:34 BST

Seems like a bunch of geeks are whining over something ridiculous.

Starwolf_UK

3. Starwolf_UK United Kingdom 10 Oct 2008, 23:36 BST

Since there are options for the original and remixed music maybe they'll now be options for the original and new graphics :P

Dazza

4. Dazza United Kingdom 10 Oct 2008, 23:39 BST

It has already been confirmed that the WiiWare version will have an option to play the game with the old graphics and music. Worry not, if you don't like the new style, you will just be able to turn it off :D

Mario64DStyle

5. Mario64DStyle United States 10 Oct 2008, 23:46 BST

First of all.. they need to calm down with something so unimportant (and which has the option to change)..

Second.. I've never heard of the original version of this game until recently.. I hope its pretty fun.. all the hype makes it seem like it could be good

Corbie

6. Corbie United States 10 Oct 2008, 23:52 BST

I corrected the news story to add the option in. I thought I had read that they were removing that option, but apparently not. :)

Djungelurban

7. Djungelurban Sweden 10 Oct 2008, 23:53 BST

I think it's a good move. After all, that char is looking alot more like its face pic art now and in my book that's a good chance since clearly that's how it was intended tolook. And I mean, if you really really love the old game so much, it won't go away you know... Go right ahead and play it...

Tony

8. Tony United States 11 Oct 2008, 00:01 BST

I am outraged at this pixel upgrade!!! Wait! Oh nevemind you can hardly tell the difference

lordbowser

9. lordbowser United States 11 Oct 2008, 00:03 BST

I've got no complaints. She actually looks alot cuter now in my opinion. Huzzah!

pdrydia

10. pdrydia United States 11 Oct 2008, 00:10 BST

I can kind of understand. But it's not like the "new" sprites are so excessively "modern" as to take away all "old-school"ness from the game. FFS, they're sprites.

[edit] So is this /actual/ controversy, or just people in another community discussing their opinions on the updates?

Corbie

11. Corbie United States 11 Oct 2008, 00:24 BST

Some fans were up in arms about it until it was stated in the GoNintendo interview that there would be an option to switch between the two. There was no mutiny or hostages being held over it, but it was a bit of an uprising. :P

megacody

12. megacody United States 11 Oct 2008, 00:35 BST

The first one looks better to me, although it really tries to looks like its blocky. The second sprite looks like its really trying to look top-notch while staying true to a retro look, so...you know...kudos.

ILoveWii

13. ILoveWii United Kingdom 11 Oct 2008, 00:36 BST

Really silly TBH. I mean, does it matter if a few more pixels are added on? You still have the game.

Rexy

14. Rexy United Kingdom 11 Oct 2008, 00:51 BST

That's a ridiculous thing to be complaining about. I put it all down to the resolution of our TVs in comparison to the type of monitors Pixel developed the original PC release on.

Besides, Toroko looks better now IMO; the only time in which we would REALLY complain about this is if she A) received a complete color palette change, and/or 2) was drawn in a completely different style or rendered in 3D :P

WiiMan192

15. WiiMan192 Australia 11 Oct 2008, 00:59 BST

I sometimes think that some people have nothing better to do than complain over nonsense. Anyway, you can choose from the two different graphic styles in the game, so there isn't any room for complaints :)

ReifuTD

16. ReifuTD United States 11 Oct 2008, 01:06 BST

So they went from late 80's graphics to early 90's graphics. Big whoop, I haven't played this game befor but I'll Get it when it come out on Wiiware.

Objection_Blaster

17. Objection_Blaster United States 11 Oct 2008, 01:33 BST

OKay, so my magical suggestion was taken and you have the option to use the "retro" or "new-retro" graphics! ;)

MarkyVigoroth

18. MarkyVigoroth Puerto Rico 11 Oct 2008, 01:47 BST

"...really?
I kinda like it."
In reality, I like the newer graphics better...
takes out Lucastick
...yet I like Mr. Pixe'l's listening to his fans.

pdrydia

19. pdrydia United States 11 Oct 2008, 02:14 BST

@Corbie: Ah, I see. That answers my question perfectly, thanks.

Yup, seems a bit silly. :p

J.K.

20. J.K. United States 11 Oct 2008, 02:37 BST

Wow so a bunch of uptight little children fanboys(girls) are whaling like babies over a slight graphical update to some sprites despite the fact the game itself is fully intact and even adds more area to it? And of course it's known the game has a classic mode for the whiners too.

One word: pathetic

Chipmunk777

21. Chipmunk777 United States 11 Oct 2008, 03:17 BST

lol who cares? I think the updated sprite looks better

Pocketim

22. Pocketim New Zealand 11 Oct 2008, 07:20 BST

This reminds me of when I made comics...
All of my comics were made in 8-bit...
Then one day, I changed the graphics to 16-bit...
And everyone hated it...
What is the point of whining over something like this? That's like saying that you refuse to play a Zelda game because Links ears are too big =P

rikru

23. rikru Finland 11 Oct 2008, 09:57 BST

I think the original looks better, good thing you can switch between the original and new artwork

StarDust

24. StarDust United States 11 Oct 2008, 10:14 BST

The Wii has enhanced graphics, so they'd might as well utilize it. There were some NES games back in the day that looked bad but played great. Why not make a game that looks descent?

The Atari came before my time and I think the graphics on it look like [donkey doo]. Some people will argue tooth and nail with me on that subject but I stand my ground on the basis that all sprites were made out of little rectangles and weren't even real bitmaps, like the NES had and other systems in the 8-bit era. For many people playing games, the NES was before their time, so who am I to judge if they feel the same way about my coveted Nintendo?

So I say, use this new platform to its advantage: it's perfectly acceptable in my book to cheat a little by not adhering to the strict limitations of obsolete consoles.

PALgamer

25. PALgamer Spain 11 Oct 2008, 10:24 BST

I noticed in some videos that the graphics looked weird (crispier), are they changing all the gfx or just the character sprites? Although I prefer the original (after playing it countless times), having it updated like this really gives you an incentive to buy a game that you can play for free (not a cash-in).

calcifer

26. calcifer Belgium 11 Oct 2008, 10:31 BST

Controversy over this?
So called purists, a jaded bunch.

Starwolf_UK

27. Starwolf_UK United Kingdom 11 Oct 2008, 10:59 BST

What is the point of whining over something like this? That's like saying that you refuse to play a Zelda game because Links ears are too big =P
I know there are some Dragon Quest plasyers who don't enjoy the newer instalemnts bevcause it is now an anime style (it always was but to make sure it didn't bomb in America the boxart and related art was more a western fantasy look). Thing is with such basic graphics its the artwork which determines your perception on the game.

Outrunner

28. Outrunner United Kingdom 11 Oct 2008, 16:07 BST

Yeah people moan about the DS Castlevanias too because they're in an anime style. Me, I love 'em.

Auntman

29. Auntman Finland 11 Oct 2008, 16:22 BST

I just hate Tokoros new design. She looks more like some kind of aunt rather than the sweet cute rabbit she used to be :'(

TopHatPangolin

30. TopHatPangolin United States 11 Oct 2008, 16:50 BST

Oh, she looked like an aunt already! xD Thank you, Pinguy. I haven't played the game for almost a year... next time I'll be sure to look into these things a little more!

MrPinguy

31. MrPinguy Portugal 11 Oct 2008, 18:24 BST

these people are crazy, i expected drastic changes in the design for causing so much trouble.
But the change is "minimal" , she even looks even more like the face sprite used in dialogs on the original. ( http://www.cavestory.org/images/char_17.gif )
People just want hate something for nothing nowadays
(closed minded people >_>)

@Auntman
@TopHatPangolin

Oh for god sake... you must be kidding... it's not THAT different

Twilight Crow

32. Twilight Crow Mexico 11 Oct 2008, 18:35 BST

I think Toroko looks cuter, but I agree with MrPinguy, there isn't that much difference.

Serpent

33. Serpent United States 11 Oct 2008, 19:11 BST

Wow people were complaining about this?? Its the same exact graphics but the Wii-ware version has more detail.

Ferret75

34. Ferret75 United States 11 Oct 2008, 19:47 BST

For you people upset with the graphics, read the last part of the article.

Anyways, I'm amazed with this game.
Not only do we get a platforming RPG, but it's pratically 8-bit. =D

Current list of retro games:
Mega Man 9 (8-bit)
Eternity's Child 2 (16-bit)
Gradius Rebirth (16-bit)
Cave Story (8-bit)

Ricardo91

35. Ricardo91 United States 12 Oct 2008, 01:02 BST

I hate it when geeks and otaku complain about minor crap like this. I don't see much of a difference at all. <rolls eyes>

Corbie

36. Corbie United States 12 Oct 2008, 03:11 BST

If you think that's bad, I remember back during the Commodore 64 era when a particular magazine made a huge deal over the skating in Winter Games because on one of the spins the skater's leg didn't hang out like it was supposed to. :)

Varoennauraa

37. Varoennauraa Finland 12 Oct 2008, 09:12 BST

Differences vanish into when you zoom the picture to a playing distance.

Kirk

38. Kirk United Kingdom 12 Oct 2008, 22:47 BST

The only thing I would say that doesn't quite work with the new more detailed art is the fact that the old pixel look requires pixels of a slightly larger size to give it that classic feel imo so if he is just going to use much smaller pixels anyway, which isn't really that classic pixel art anymore, then he may as well have just used proper sharp/smooth characters (without the oldschool pixel look). That being said I don' t think they look bad and that fact that the game has the option to view the original graphics is all good.

I would however suggest having the original pixel art style and a proper modern smooth/sharp style, almost cartoon like, and let the player choose between them rather than just having having two similar retro pixel looking styles/modes to choose from.

Just my two cents.

whalleywhat

39. whalleywhat Canada 12 Oct 2008, 23:52 BST

I don't know, the original is so perfect. I'm more concerned about the changes in music than this, but I'll gladly pay Pixel by way of Nicalis.

deadly.by.design

40. deadly.by.design United States 13 Oct 2008, 01:33 BST

I've never seen of the game before now, but I can sympathize with fans. What if they screwed around with 8-bit Megaman? (aside from making him a lighter blue... which is the case in MM9)

As long as there's an option - no biggie.

Ian Daemon

41. Ian Daemon United States 13 Oct 2008, 14:49 BST

@Objection_Blaster:
Who really gives a crap about "first post" anyway? Why does everyone keep saying that? Is there some contest I don't know about? (It's like advertising that you have no life.)

Garrett

42. Garrett United States 13 Oct 2008, 18:06 BST

why does the wiiware version look worse... or is it just me anybody...?

Ian Daemon

43. Ian Daemon United States 13 Oct 2008, 19:09 BST

The WiiWare screenshots look a lot sharper than the original graphics. This release's increased resolution could lead to clearer/sharper/more jagged graphics.

Marioman64

44. Marioman64 United States 13 Apr 2009, 23:35 BST

obviously pixel wants to even further express what they intended the characters to look like in the first place, which i like

but if you like teh pixely then turn on classic mode

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