Shovel Knight Archives

BetaBeacon

October 20, 2025

Watch this sub-$100 dual-screen Android gaming handheld play DS and 3DS games

The ANBERNIC RG DS is a budget-friendly dual-screen handheld that can emulate Nintendo DS and lightweight 3DS games. It supports stylus input but may have some input latency compared to original hardware. ANBERNIC is set to make a mark in the dual-screen handheld market.

AppWizard

October 20, 2025

Shovel Knight dev’s next game doesn’t have a single parry, pulling from Castlevania and Bloodborne instead of Sekiro: ‘Every game has a parry now … even Doom has Dark Souls stuff in it’

The rise of parry mechanics has expanded from character action games and spectacle fighters to various genres, including roguelikes, horror games, JRPGs, and first-person shooters, particularly in the Soulslike genre after the success of Sekiro. Yacht Club Games is developing an adventure game called Mina the Hollower, inspired by classic Castlevania and Zelda games, aiming to evoke retro gaming while incorporating modern influences. Co-founder Sean Velasco noted the game's nods to Bloodborne in its health management system and pacing. He described the exchange of gameplay ideas among developers as a "great conversation," leading to the convergence of game mechanics. The release date for Mina the Hollower is not yet determined, but it can be added to wishlists on Steam.

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

4 classic PC games that prove just how well pixel art can age

Pixel graphics emerged as a limitation of hardware capabilities but have been embraced as an artistic choice, especially in indie games. A criterion of at least ten years since release is used to define "retro" games. Papers, Please: Players act as a border checkpoint officer in a totalitarian state, balancing duty and family needs. The game utilizes pixel art for its static user interface and characters, maintaining its unique visual identity over a decade later. Platform: Steam. RollerCoaster Tycoon: Known for its iconic pixel art, the game features vibrant landscapes that complement its amusement park theme. Its late-90s aesthetic remains impressive even two decades after release. Shovel Knight: Launched over a decade ago, it pays homage to retro 2D platformers with an 8-bit-inspired aesthetic. The game blends nostalgia with originality, featuring backgrounds that enhance gameplay. Backyard Baseball: A late '90s arcade-style baseball simulation known for its distinctive art style and memorable characters. The pixelated character models are well-defined, showcasing impressive pixel artistry. Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch. PC games may not always match the pixel artistry of console games from the 80s and 90s, but there are many iconic pixel art games from that era and the early 2010s.

AppWizard

June 5, 2025

Summer Game Fest 2025 preview: The big games and developers to expect at Friday’s livestream

E3 has transitioned into the Summer Game Fest, led by Geoff Keighley, featuring a livestream on June 6 at 2 pm Pacific on YouTube. New developers include Raw Power Games, working on a medieval sandbox game, and Soft Rains, developing a sci-fi action game. Big studios like 505 Games, 2K Games, Bandai Namco, Capcom, CD Projekt, Embark, IO Interactive, Square Enix, Techland, Xbox, PlayStation, Epic Games, Pearl Abyss, and Sega are expected to showcase new titles or updates. Additional partners include 1047 Games, Amazon Games, Annapurna Interactive, Atari, Bellring Games, Blumhouse Games, Coffee Stain, Devolver Digital, Dotemu, Dreamhaven, Enhance, Focus Entertainment, Frontier, Funcom, iam8bit Presents, Kakao Games, Kinetic Games, Kuro Games, Level Infinite, Magic the Gathering, Megabit, Meta Quest, Mundfish, NCSoft, Nekki, Neowiz, Netmarble, Niantic, Nintendo Switch 2, Nuverse, Playstack, PlaySide, PM Studios, Razer, Supermassive Games, Xsolla, and Yacht Club Games. An "intense body horror" game titled ILL and beta access to Soulframe will also be featured, with Hideo Kojima confirmed to attend.

Winsage

December 12, 2024

Xbox App Just Added 400 PC Games And Microsoft Wants More

Microsoft has added over 400 games to the Xbox app, including titles like Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove and Jackbox Party Pack, with contributions from Japanese developers Kemco and Kairosoft. Approximately 100 of these titles support the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative, allowing gamers to transition between Xbox console and PC. Microsoft has reduced its revenue share from sales to 12% to attract developers from competing storefronts. More announcements are expected at the Game Developers Conference 2025. Additionally, Microsoft is testing direct-to-cloud controllers and enhancing streaming service visual quality. A pilot program for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members allows them to stream select games from their Xbox consoles.

AppWizard

December 12, 2024

Xbox PC app beefs up Steam-competing storefront with hundreds of new games

Microsoft is enhancing its Xbox PC app by adding nearly 400 new games to strengthen its position in the gaming market. The acquisition of Activision Blizzard highlights its commitment to expanding its digital presence. Xbox's content curation manager, Chris Charla, mentioned that the initiative aims to bring all PC games with Xbox features into the Xbox app, with popular titles like Shovel Knight Treasure Trove included. Over 100 of the new titles will support the Xbox Play Anywhere feature, allowing players to enjoy games across both Xbox console and PC. Plans to introduce Android games and microtransactions to the Xbox app have been delayed due to recent court rulings, but Microsoft continues to focus on expanding its offerings.

Winsage

December 11, 2024

Microsoft adds 400 games to its Xbox app on Windows PC, along with this key feature I’ve wanted for years

Microsoft's Xbox app for Windows PC has been updated to include approximately 400 new games, enhancing the gaming library. The update features a redesigned Home menu for improved navigation and user engagement. Over 100 of the new games support the Xbox Play Anywhere feature, allowing progress transfer between Xbox consoles and PCs. The update also includes cross-play capabilities for many titles. The new Home experience, initially available to Xbox Insiders, is now accessible to all users. Microsoft plans to introduce casual games like Candy Crush Soda Saga and Angry Birds 2 in December. Despite improvements, some users report performance issues with the app.

Winsage

December 11, 2024

Xbox PC App Adds 400 Games to Store Alongside Revamped Home Screen

Microsoft has updated the home screen of its Xbox PC app to improve user experience, making it easier to find new releases, sales, and events. The update includes the addition of 400 previously unavailable titles to the Xbox store. Microsoft has integrated PC games with Xbox functionalities into the app, featuring titles from developers like Kemco and Kairosoft, as well as games such as Shovel Knight Treasure Trove and Jackbox Party Pack. Enhancements for Xbox Game Pass subscribers include the ability to stream select games remotely, with Xbox Insiders now able to stream their personally owned games to Xbox Series X and Xbox One consoles. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers in 28 supported countries can access this feature, which includes popular titles like Star Wars Outlaws and The Witcher 3, as well as indie games like Animal Well and Dredge. Xbox Insiders in the Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha rings can preview this streaming feature now, with broader capabilities expected to roll out in 2025.

AppWizard

December 11, 2024

Microsoft working to bring all PC games with Xbox features into Xbox app

Microsoft has made the new PC gaming Home experience available to all users through the Xbox app on Windows, after testing it with Xbox Insiders. This update provides a centralized hub for players to stay informed about game releases, events, and exclusive Game Pass content. The new interface includes curated collections, personalized recommendations, and a "Jump back in" feature for quick gameplay resumption. Microsoft is also integrating nearly 400 PC games with Xbox functionalities into the app, including titles from developers like Kemco, Kairosoft, Yacht Club Games, and Double 11.

AppWizard

October 14, 2024

Five new Steam games you probably missed (October 14, 2024)

On any given day, the Steam platform unveils approximately a dozen new games. Webfishing - Release Date: October 12 - Developer: lamedeveloper - Genre: Sidescrolling narrative adventure - Setting: Small Japanese town in the 1980s - Features: Hand-drawn art, magical realism, light action and puzzles, inspired by Japanese folklore, includes a Shiba Inu. Bad Parenting 1: Mr. Red Face - Release Date: October 10 - Developers: 2OO2 - Genre: Mini-horror experience - Concept: A fictional character that transforms from benign to an urban legend, aimed at instilling good behavior in children. Decline's Drops - Release Date: October 11 - Developer: Moulin aux Bulles Studio - Genre: Platformer - Features: Inspired by Smash Bros., includes six hand-drawn worlds, and a Genetically Modified Monkey. Dungeon Antiqua - Release Date: October 10 - Developer: Shiromofu Factory - Genre: RPG - Features: Game Boy RPG aesthetic, traditional JRPG and dungeon crawler mechanics, hacking elements, randomly generated maps, and multiple professions.