Spelunky is one of the most influential rogue-likes of its time, as it combined those mechanics with side-scrolling platformer elements. With its procedurally generated caves, atmospheric design, and unique enemies, the original game became a critical and commercial success that was eventually followed by a sequel in Spelunky 2.
Both Spelunky games were recently announced to be coming to Nintendo Switch on August 26, 2021. Given how the games are a perfect fit for Nintendo's handheld system, it's a little surprising to see that they're only now releasing. Nonetheless, the console offers some distinct advantages for the Spelunky series, and hopefully this indicates that potential sequels will arrive on the Nintendo Switch as well.
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Advantages of Spelunky on the Nintendo Switch
As with other rogue-likes and platformers, the Nintendo Switch often feels like the best console to play on due to its portability. These games rarely require players to sit down for extended periods of time, and are best experienced through small bursts of gameplay. With the success of games like Hades and The Binding of Isaac on the Nintendo Switch, it's easy to see how the repeating gameplay loop of rogue-likes and rogue-lites are a natural fit on the console. Enemies, traps, and treasure will always change with the procedurally generated levels in Spelunky, and every run will bring something unique.
In particular, Spelunky's combination of both rogue-like and platformer genres means that a lot of the movement and controls are a perfect fit for a handheld system. Spelunky's designer Derek Yu even said the original game was influenced by Super Mario in terms of "physics and feel," which makes the game feel at home on the Nintendo Switch. While the PC version of Spelunky has distinct advantages like mods or accessible source code, the Nintendo Switch's portability allows players to progress the game anytime on the go.
Which Spelunky to Get
With both Spelunky and Spelunky 2 arriving on the Nintendo Switch soon, newcomers might be curious about which game to get. For the most part, both are fairly similar in that they share the same rogue-like elements and platforming challenges. Spelunky 2 does improve on almost every aspect of the original Spelunky and includes multiplayer as well. However, Spelunky 2 is far more challenging than the first game, as the game is more complex and busier in general. As a result, new players will likely die more frequently and take longer to adjust to the game's systems.
On the other hand, the original Spelunky is far more forgiving for new players despite having fewer features overall. The deaths will be less frustrating and the learning curve isn't as steep as players are eased into the mechanics a little better. As Spelunky 2 is notorious for its unforgiving difficulty, it's a good idea to start with the basics and get accustomed to the playstyle of the first game. Either way, both games will offer a challenge for newcomers and veterans of the rogue-like genre alike. Spelunky will be available on the Nintendo Switch for $10 and Spelunky 2 will be $20. With Spelunky finally arriving on the Nintendo Switch, hopefully this means that potential sequels will also find their way to the handheld console too.
Spelunky and Spelunky 2 will be released on the Nintendo Switch on August 26, 2021.