Cuphead#Awards

File:Cuphead gameplay, Captain Brineybeard.png.]]

Cuphead{{'}}s gameplay is centered on continual boss fights, interspersed with run-and-gun levels. Each is housed in one of four worlds, with the final fight against the Devil. Each boss fight includes a simple, regular, and expert difficulty mode (with the exception of the final two bosses, which lack a simple mode). Defeating a boss on regular mode is required to progress through the game and unlocks expert mode for that particular level. Most boss battles take place on land, although some involve player characters piloting aeroplanes and play like a side-scrolling shoot 'em up. The game includes role-playing elements and a branching level sequence. Player characters have infinite lives, maintaining all equipment between deaths. Equippable weapons and special abilities, referred to as Charms, can be purchased from Porkrind's Emporium, an in-game shop, using coins found in levels and the overworld. Player characters can use a slapping parry attack on objects marked in pink to various effects, the most important of them being a super meter charge that enables more powerful attacks. The super meter is represented by a row of five playing cards, and can also be charged through attacking or Charm effects. An enhanced attack can be executed at the cost of one card, with its particular form determined by the currently equipped weapon. The most powerful strikes, or Super Arts, require the Super Meter to be fully charged and will completely drain it upon use. Three Super Arts are available, one in each of the first three worlds; to earn each one, the player must enter a mausoleum and parry a horde of ghosts to stop them from reaching an urn at the center of the screen.

After completing a level, the players are ranked with a grade based on performance, determined by the time taken to complete the level, hit points left post-battle, number of parried attacks, and the number of times part of the super meter was used, in addition to the level difficulty. The levels are accessible through a top-down perspective overworld with its own secret areas. The game has a two-player local cooperative mode, in which either player character can return to the game after being killed if the one parries the other's soul before it rises off the screen. Cuphead's brother, Mugman, acts as an alternative skin and potential co-op partner within the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/cuphead-update-lets-people-choose-between-being-cuphead-or-mugman/|title=Cuphead Update Lets People Choose Between Being Cuphead Or Mugman|first=Jenni|last=Lada|work=Siliconera|date=April 19, 2019|accessdate=March 21, 2022|archive-date=March 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321115951/https://www.siliconera.com/cuphead-update-lets-people-choose-between-being-cuphead-or-mugman/|url-status=live}} The DLC expansion, Delicious Last Course, adds a new area with its own campaign, including new bosses, weapons, and Charms; a third playable character is also added, Ms. Chalice, who replaces either Cuphead or Mugman when equipped with the Astral Cookie Charm. Ms. Chalice has her own unique set of moves, including a double jump, an invincible roll maneuver, and a parry dash.{{cite web | url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course | title=Review: Cuphead - the Delicious Last Course - Short, Sweet, and Utterly Essential | date=July 4, 2022 | access-date=July 10, 2022 | archive-date=July 9, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709124012/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course | url-status=live }}

On Inkwell Isle, the game follows Cuphead and Mugman, two fun-loving brothers who live under the watchful eye of Elder Kettle. Against his warnings, the brothers wander off to the Devil's Casino and begin playing craps. When they go on a winning streak, the Devil appears and makes a deal, offering to give them all the money in the casino if they win the next roll and threatening to take their souls if they lose. Cuphead accepts the offer but loses by rolling snake eyes. As he and Mugman beg for mercy, the Devil offers them another deal – if the brothers can collect the "soul contracts" from his runaway debtors by midnight the next day, the Devil might spare them. After returning home and informing Elder Kettle about their predicament, he gives the brothers a potion that allows them to fire blasts of energy from their fingers and warns them that the debtors may not turn in their soul contracts willingly.

The brothers travel across Inkwell Isle, fighting the debtors to obtain their contracts. As they enter the second sector of the island, Elder Kettle notices that the duo are getting stronger from their battles and urges them to make the right choice when they meet the Devil. After Cuphead and Mugman enter the third sector, King Dice, the Devil's right-hand man, reports the brothers' progress to his boss and tells him that he is suspicious of their intentions, to which the Devil replies that if the brothers were to try anything, he will be ready for them.

The brothers eventually collect all of the soul contracts and return to the Devil's Casino. King Dice stops them, saying that their success has caused him to lose a bet. In retaliation, he sets up an extended casino-styled battle in an attempt to exact revenge. After defeating King Dice, the brothers confront the Devil, who tries to tempt them by inviting them to join him if they turn over the soul contracts. If the player chooses to do so, Cuphead and Mugman are transformed into the Devil's demonic lackeys and the game ends. If they refuse, the Devil becomes furious at the brothers for not upholding their end of the bargain and battles them. Cuphead and Mugman defeat the Devil, incinerate the contracts and return home. Learning that they have nothing to fear from the Devil anymore, the former debtors honor the brothers for their heroism.

After freeing a spirit known as the Legendary Chalice from one of the main game's mausoleums, Cuphead and Mugman receive a summons from her to visit the distant DLC Island. Once they arrive, Chalice demonstrates an "Astral Cookie" which allows her to trade places with the brother who eats it, turning him into a spirit and temporarily bringing her back to life in a youthful form. The cookie's inventor, Chef Saltbaker, unveils his recipe for a special dessert known as the Wondertart, which has the power to give Chalice her own permanent body. Saltbaker notes that several antagonistic inhabitants on the island hold its required ingredients and the brothers set out to collect them with Chalice's help.

Once the cups return to the bakery with the ingredients, they find Saltbaker in the bakery's cellar. He reveals that the Wondertart requires a living soul baked into it to work and that he has kidnapped a member of the trio in their spiritual form, who may be any character not in play upon reaching the bakery, with the intention of using the Wondertart to conquer the astral plane. The remaining two engage Saltbaker in battle and defeat him, subsequently resulting in the bakery being destroyed and preventing the Wondertart's creation. Unwilling to let anyone else give up their soul for her benefit, Ms. Chalice decides to remain in her spiritual form until she can find a non-sacrificial way to revive herself while offering to continue helping Cuphead and Mugman when needed via the Astral Cookie.

In an epilogue, Saltbaker is arrested for his crimes and sentenced to a form of community service that involves assisting DLC Island's inhabitants with their various problems. Saltbaker changes his ways as his sentence nears its end, rebuilds his bakery once it is served and prepares pastries for everyone, including Cuphead, Mugman and Chalice, the latter of whom is implied to have found a way to permanently return to life, as an apology.

File:StudioMDHR GDC 2018.jpeg

Cuphead is a game by Studio MDHR, a Canadian indie game development studio founded by brothers Chad and Jared Moldenhauer. The game was written by Evan Skolnick;{{cite web |title=Evan Skolnick {{!}} University of Silicon Valley |url=https://usv.edu/faculty/evan-skolnick/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=usv.edu |language=en}} additional animation work was contributed by Jake Clark, with programming led by Tony Coculuzzi.{{cite web |url=http://studiomdhr.com/cuphead-team/ |title=Cuphead Team |publisher=StudioMDHR |access-date=April 25, 2016 |df=mdy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425143158/http://studiomdhr.com/cuphead-team/ |archive-date=25 April 2016 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/industry-interview-with-tony-coculuzzi |title=Interview with Cuphead's Lead Developer |date=April 7, 2017 |publisher=GameDeveloper.com |access-date=April 7, 2017 |df=mdy |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827184424/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/industry-interview-with-tony-coculuzzi |url-status=live }} Its development began in 2010 using the Microsoft XNA and later they switched to Unity game engine in 2014, and it was developed from the brothers' homes in Oakville, Ontario and Regina, Saskatchewan, respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.studiomdhr.com/press/|title=Studio MDHR Presskit|website=www.studiomdhr.com|access-date=November 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120011041/http://www.studiomdhr.com/press/|archive-date=November 20, 2017|url-status=live}} It was inspired by cartoons from the early days of the golden age of American animation such as Disney and Fleischer Studios, along with cartoonists Ub Iwerks, Grim Natwick, and Willard Bowsky. Chad Moldenhauer called Fleischer Studios "the magnetic north of his art style", and particularly sought to mimic their "subversive and surrealist" elements.

The Moldenhauers watched many early golden-age cartoons in their youth, largely from VHS compilations supplied by their parents.{{cite magazine|title=See How 'Cuphead's' Incredible Cartoon Graphics Are Made|url=https://time.com/4123150/cuphead-preview/|magazine=Time|language=en|access-date=2020-05-27}} Among other siblings in their Regina, Saskatchewan childhood home, the two shared an interest in video games. They attempted a game in the style of Cuphead in 2000 but lacked the tools to continue. The brothers decided to try again following the success of the indie game Super Meat Boy, which was released in 2010. The character that became Cuphead descended from a 1936 Japanese propaganda animated film featuring a character with a teacup for a head. The Moldenhauers emulated the animation because they found it strange, and "right away it stuck". Before settling on him as the main character, the brothers had created around 150 different character designs, including a kappa wearing a top hat and characters with a plate or fork for a head.

Their animation techniques are similar to those of these cartoons. Chad Moldenhauer, who had previously worked in graphic design, hand-drew the animations and painted the backgrounds using watercolors, colorizing them in Photoshop.{{cite web |url=http://www.windowscentral.com/check-out-how-cuphead-team-makes-its-cool-looking-2d-animations |title=Check out how the Cuphead team brings its animations to life |website=Windows Central |access-date=April 13, 2016 |date=April 13, 2016 |first=John |last=Callaham |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416143525/http://www.windowscentral.com/check-out-how-cuphead-team-makes-its-cool-looking-2d-animations |archive-date=April 16, 2016 |url-status=live }} The gameplay's frame rate is 60 frames per second, while the animation runs at 24 per second, which is the standard in American film. Chad Moldenhauer saw the deliberately included human imperfections of their art design as a reaction to the perfectionism of modern pixel art. Jared Moldenhauer worked on other aspects of the game, and they discussed gameplay design together. Their studio hired a Romanian developer, a Brooklyn animator, and an Ontario jazz musician for the project. They sought to use recording processes vintage to that era. The score was composed by Kristofer Maddigan and consists of fifty-one tracks performed by jazz and big band musicians.{{cite web |url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/2018/01/18/cuphead-soundtrack-interview/ |title=High Scores: Kristofer Maddigan's Big Band Soundtrack for "Cuphead" |date=January 18, 2018 |access-date=April 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402084329/https://daily.bandcamp.com/2018/01/18/cuphead-soundtrack-interview/ |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |url-status=live }}

The Moldenhauers described Cuphead as having a difficult, "retro game" core for its emphasis on gameplay over plot. Kill Screen described the developers as "obsessed" with run-and-gun fundamentals of "animations and exploits and hitboxes". They made multiple revisions to many gameplay elements, including how gameplay actions feel at the edges of platforms and how long players are disabled after receiving damage. They planned multiple difficulty levels and chose to abandon a typical damsel in distress plot for one where Cuphead perpetually creates trouble for himself. The developers planned to surpass the Guinness World Record for number of boss battles in a run-and-gun game by having more than 30, compared to the record's 25 in Alien Soldier. The game's implementation and visual design, combined with the limited number of staff, was Studio MDHR's biggest challenge, so the Moldenhauers went to great lengths to complete the game, even remortgaging their house to finance it.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-cupheads-devs-gambled-on-a-dream/1100-6454860/ |title=How Cuphead's Devs Gambled On A Dream |website=GameSpot |date=November 11, 2017 |access-date=November 13, 2017 |first=Alessandro |last=Fillari |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113112712/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-cupheads-devs-gambled-on-a-dream/1100-6454860/ |archive-date=November 13, 2017 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/cuphead-developers-talk-cut-bosses-and-whats-in-the-cup-1820126327 |title=Cuphead Developers Talk Cut Bosses And What's In The Cups |publisher=Kotaku |date=November 3, 2017 |access-date=November 13, 2017 |first=Heather |last=Alexandra |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112145340/https://kotaku.com/cuphead-developers-talk-cut-bosses-and-whats-in-the-cup-1820126327 |archive-date=November 12, 2017 |url-status=live }}

Though the game was shown during the Xbox press event of Electronic Entertainment Expo 2014 to audience approval, it was not available to play and was estimated to be 40 percent complete. It was expected to be extended via expansion packs with 10 to 15 bosses each, similar to how Sonic & Knuckles added atop the Sonic series. Cuphead was released on September 29, 2017 for Windows and Xbox One, and it supports Xbox Play Anywhere.{{cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Charlie |title=Cuphead won't be coming to PlayStation 4 |work=Polygon |date=July 4, 2017 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/7/4/15919210/cuphead-ps4-version |access-date=July 4, 2017 |df=mdy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704202105/https://www.polygon.com/2017/7/4/15919210/cuphead-ps4-version |archive-date=July 4, 2017 |url-status=live }} King Features Syndicate has the licensing rights to merchandise and assorted paraphernalia.{{cite web |url=http://kingfeatures.com/2017/04/king-features-to-represent-cuphead-for-licensing/ |title=KING FEATURES SYNDICATE TO REPRESENT CUPHEAD FOR LICENSING |publisher=King Features Syndicate |date=April 12, 2017 |access-date=June 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604214124/http://kingfeatures.com/2017/04/king-features-to-represent-cuphead-for-licensing/ |archive-date=June 4, 2018 |url-status=live }}

The Delicious Last Course is downloadable content adding a new island, boss encounters, and a third playable character (Ms. Chalice), and was revealed at E3 2018 for release in 2019.{{cite web |last1=Grant |first1=Christopher |title=Cuphead DLC, The Delicious Last Course, coming in 2019 |url=https://www.polygon.com/e3/2018/6/10/17446968/cuphead-dlc-the-delicious-last-course-xbox-one-2019 |website=Polygon |date=June 10, 2018 |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612102737/https://www.polygon.com/e3/2018/6/10/17446968/cuphead-dlc-the-delicious-last-course-xbox-one-2019 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=live }} However, the new content was pushed back into 2020 to avoid putting too much pressure and crunch time on the development team.{{cite web | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/07/02/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-dlc-delayed-until-2020-new-trailer-released | title=Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course DLC Delayed Until 2020, New Trailer Released | first=Ryan | last=McCafferty | date=July 2, 2019 | access-date=July 2, 2019 | work=IGN | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702163627/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/07/02/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-dlc-delayed-until-2020-new-trailer-released | archive-date=July 2, 2019 | url-status=live }} It was further delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was eventually released on June 30, 2022.{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=November 25, 2020|title=Cuphead DLC 'The Delicious Last Course' delayed to 2021|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/11/cuphead-dlc-the-delicious-last-course-delayed-to-2021|access-date=November 25, 2020|work=Gematsu|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125183740/https://www.gematsu.com/2020/11/cuphead-dlc-the-delicious-last-course-delayed-to-2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Purslow|first=Matt|date=December 10, 2021|title=Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course DLC Release Date Announced|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/cuphead-delicious-last-course-dlc-release-date|website=IGN|access-date=December 10, 2021|archive-date=December 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210021904/https://www.ign.com/articles/cuphead-delicious-last-course-dlc-release-date|url-status=live}}

A port of Cuphead for macOS was released on October 19, 2018, and advertised with an animated short titled Crisp Apples.{{cite web |url=https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2018/10/19/cuphead-celebrates-mac-launch-in-crisp-apples-short/315713/ |title=Cuphead Celebrates Mac Launch in "Crisp Apples" Short |first=Fran |last=Soto |date=October 19, 2018 |website=Hardcore Gamer |access-date=October 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021151347/https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2018/10/19/cuphead-celebrates-mac-launch-in-crisp-apples-short/315713/ |archive-date=October 21, 2018 |url-status=live }}

A port for the Nintendo Switch was released on April 18, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/3/20/18273096/cuphead-nintendo-switch-release-date|title=Cuphead is coming to Nintendo Switch in April|last=Plante|first=Chris|date=2019-03-20|website=Polygon|access-date=2019-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321013935/https://www.polygon.com/2019/3/20/18273096/cuphead-nintendo-switch-release-date|archive-date=March 21, 2019|url-status=live}} This was made possible when Microsoft approached the development team about it.{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/dbloodworth2/status/1108865120220770305 |title=Daniel Bloodworth on Twitter: "Oh yeah I was talking to one of the Cuphead devs yesterday and he said that it was Microsoft actually approached them and asked if they'd like to make a Switch version. Crazy stuff." / Twitter |website=Twitter |first=Daniel |last=Bloodworth |date=March 21, 2019 |access-date=September 14, 2019 |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526223321/https://twitter.com/dbloodworth2/status/1108865120220770305 |url-status=live }} A PlayStation 4 port was released on July 28, 2020.{{cite web | url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/119458/cuphead-gets-a-surprise-launch-on-ps4-today | title=Cuphead gets a surprise launch on PS4 today | first=TJ | last=Denzer | date=July 28, 2020 | access-date=July 28, 2020 | work=Shacknews | archive-date=July 28, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728151951/https://www.shacknews.com/article/119458/cuphead-gets-a-surprise-launch-on-ps4-today | url-status=live }}

In June 2019, a port for Tesla, Inc.'s Linux-based operating system for some of its cars was announced by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who expressed his appreciation of the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/02/cuphead-will-be-playable-in-tesla-model-3-model-s-and-model-x-cars?sf103564640=1|title=Cuphead Will Be Playable in Tesla Model 3, Model S, and Model X Cars|last=McCaffrey|first=Ryan|date=2019-06-02|website=IGN|access-date=2019-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602172953/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/02/cuphead-will-be-playable-in-tesla-model-3-model-s-and-model-x-cars%3Fsf103564640%3D1|archive-date=June 2, 2019|url-status=live}} It was released in September 2019 as part of Tesla's software version 10, though only the first level was playable.{{cite web |last1=Holt |first1=Kris |title=Tesla update with Netflix, 'Cuphead' and Smart Summon is rolling out now |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/09/26/tesla-spotify-netflix-youtube-hulu-cuphead-smart-summon-software-update/ |website=Engadget |access-date=27 September 2019 |date=26 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927070055/https://www.engadget.com/2019/09/26/tesla-spotify-netflix-youtube-hulu-cuphead-smart-summon-software-update/ |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-09-28-you-can-now-play-cuphead-in-a-tesla |title=You can now play Cuphead on a Tesla |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |date=September 28, 2019 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=September 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928123114/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-09-28-you-can-now-play-cuphead-in-a-tesla |archive-date=September 28, 2019 |url-status=live }}

{{Video game reviews

| MC = PC: 88/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cuphead/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Cuphead for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=October 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002134133/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/cuphead |archive-date=October 2, 2017 |url-status=live }}
XONE: 86/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cuphead/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Cuphead for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=September 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925032624/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/cuphead |archive-date=September 25, 2017 |url-status=live }}
NS: 87/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cuphead/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Cuphead for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=April 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429020553/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/cuphead |archive-date=April 29, 2019 |url-status=live }}
PS4: 86/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cuphead/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Cuphead for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-date=January 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110211709/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/cuphead |url-status=live }}

| Destruct = 9.5/10{{cite web |last=Makendonski |first=Brett |date=September 29, 2017 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-cuphead-463873.phtml |title=Review: Cuphead |website=Destructoid |access-date=September 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016203824/https://www.destructoid.com/review-cuphead-463873.phtml |archive-date=October 16, 2017 |url-status=live }}

| Edge = 8/10{{cite magazine | title=Cuphead | magazine=Edge | publisher=Future | issue=313 | date=November 9, 2017 | pages=114–115 | issn=1350-1593}}

| EGM = 9.5/10{{cite magazine |last=Carsillo |first=Ray |date=October 4, 2017 |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/cuphead-review/ |title=Cuphead review |magazine=EGMNow |access-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004200754/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/cuphead-review/ |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |url-status=live }}

| GI = 8/10{{cite magazine |last=Cork |first=Jeff |date=October 2, 2017 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/cuphead/b/xboxone/archive/2017/10/02/cuphead-review-tempest-in-a-teacup.aspx |title=Cuphead |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423133832/https://www.gameinformer.com/games/cuphead/b/xboxone/archive/2017/10/02/cuphead-review-tempest-in-a-teacup.aspx |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |url-status=live }}

| GSpot = 8/10{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Peter |date=September 29, 2017 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cuphead-review/1900-6416777/ |title=Cuphead Review |website=GameSpot |access-date=September 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929140208/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cuphead-review/1900-6416777/ |archive-date=September 29, 2017 |url-status=live }}

| GRadar = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Lucas |date=September 29, 2017 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/cuphead-review/ |title=Cuphead review: 'Stands tall among the best 2D shooters of all time' |publisher=GamesRadar |access-date=September 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929110306/http://www.gamesradar.com/cuphead-review/ |archive-date=September 29, 2017 |url-status=live }}

| GB = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web |last=Pack |first=Ben |date=October 12, 2017 |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/review-cuphead/1900-771/ |title=Review: Cuphead |publisher=Giant Bomb |access-date=October 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014182558/http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/review-cuphead/1900-771/ |archive-date=October 14, 2017 |url-status=live }}

| IGN = 8.8/10{{cite web |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |date=October 2, 2017 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/10/02/cuphead-review |title=Cuphead review |website=IGN |access-date=October 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002220458/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/10/02/cuphead-review |archive-date=October 2, 2017 |url-status=live }}

| PCGUS = 86/100{{cite magazine |last=Schilling |first=Chris |date=October 2, 2017 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/cuphead-review/ |title=Cuphead review |magazine=PC Gamer |access-date=October 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002220355/http://www.pcgamer.com/cuphead-review/ |archive-date=October 2, 2017 |url-status=live }}

| Poly = 8.5/10{{cite web |last=Plante |first=Chris |date=September 29, 2017 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/29/16381614/cuphead-review-xbox-one-windows-pc |title=Cuphead review |website=Polygon |access-date=September 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929105600/https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/29/16381614/cuphead-review-xbox-one-windows-pc |archive-date=September 29, 2017 |url-status=live }}

| VG = 8/10{{cite web |last=Ahern |first=Colm |date=October 2, 2017 |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/cuphead-review |title=Cuphead review |publisher=VideoGamer.com |access-date=October 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005052128/https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/cuphead-review |archive-date=October 5, 2017 |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Video game reviews

| title = The Delicious Last Course

| MC = PC: 89/100{{cite web |title=Cuphead in the Delicious Last Course for PC Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cuphead-in-the-delicious-last-course/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Metacritic |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130143931/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/cuphead-in-the-delicious-last-course |url-status=live }}
PS4: 86/100{{cite web |title=Cuphead in the Delicious Last Course for PlayStation 4 Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cuphead-in-the-delicious-last-course/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Metacritic |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130144354/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/cuphead-in-the-delicious-last-course |url-status=live }}
XONE: 92/100{{cite web |title=Cuphead in the Delicious Last Course for Xbox One Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cuphead-in-the-delicious-last-course/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Metacritic |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130143933/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/cuphead-in-the-delicious-last-course |url-status=live }}
NS: 88/100{{cite web |title=Cuphead in the Delicious Last Course for Switch Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cuphead-in-the-delicious-last-course/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Metacritic |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130143935/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/cuphead-in-the-delicious-last-course |url-status=live }}

| IGN = 9/10{{cite web |last=Saltzman |first=Mitchell |date=2022-06-30 |title=Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-review |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130143931/https://www.ign.com/articles/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-review |url-status=live }}

| PCGUS = 78/100{{cite web |last=Bailes |first=Jon |date=2022-06-30 |title=Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-review/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=PC Gamer |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130143931/https://www.pcgamer.com/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-review/ |url-status=live }}

| GI = 8.8/10{{cite magazine |last=Stewart |first=Marcus |date=2022-06-30 |title=Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course Review - Tasty Sips From A Worthy Grail |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course/tasty-sips-from-a-worthy-grail |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630130617/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course/tasty-sips-from-a-worthy-grail |url-status=live |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |access-date=2022-11-30 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}}

| GSpot = 9/10{{cite web |last=Petite |first=Steven |date=2022-06-30 |title=Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course Review - More Than A Cherry On Top |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-review-more-than-a-cherry-on-top/1900-6417904/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130143931/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-review-more-than-a-cherry-on-top/1900-6417904/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f |url-status=live }}

| Destruct = 9/10{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=2022-06-30 |title=Review: Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-cuphead-the-delicious-last-course/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Destructoid |language=en-CA |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130143932/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-cuphead-the-delicious-last-course/ |url-status=live }}

| TG = {{rating|5|5}}{{cite web |last=Hughes |first=Elysia |date=2022-07-13 |title=Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course review – a mind-bending feast for the senses |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/jul/13/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-review-nintendo-switch-xbox-one-playstation-studio-mdhr |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130143931/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/jul/13/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-review-nintendo-switch-xbox-one-playstation-studio-mdhr |url-status=live }}

| PSQ = {{rating|8|10}}{{cite web |last=McCrae |first=Scott |date=2022-07-04 |title=Review: Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course (PS4) - Another Delicious Serving of Hard-As-Nails Action |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130143931/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course |url-status=live }}

| NLife = {{rating|9|10}}{{cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |date=2022-07-04 |title=Review: Cuphead - The Delicious Last Course - Short, Sweet, And Utterly Essential |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709124012/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course |url-status=live }}

| PCM = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Minor |first=Jordan |date=2022-07-20 |title=Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course (for Nintendo Switch) Review |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-for-nintendo-switch |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=PCMag |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130143932/https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-for-nintendo-switch |url-status=live }}

| HCG = 4/5{{cite web |last=LeClair |first=Kyle |date=2022-06-30 |title=Review: Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-cuphead-the-delicious-last-course/424506/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=Hardcore Gamer |language=en-US |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130143933/https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-cuphead-the-delicious-last-course/424506/ |url-status=live }}

| NME = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Andy |date=2022-07-02 |title='Cuphead - The Delicious Last Course' review: a real high-class bout |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-review-a-real-high-class-bout-3253464 |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130143931/https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-review-a-real-high-class-bout-3253464 |url-status=live }}

}}

Ben Kuchera of Polygon wrote that Cuphead was one of the five most interesting reveals at Microsoft's E3 2014 press conference, even though he knew little about the game apart from its aesthetic. He said it "stood out immediately" and that everyone in the website's press room viscerally reacted to the trailer. Cuphead won the IGN Best Xbox One game at E3 award in 2015, and "Best Indie Game" at the Gamescom 2015 Awards.{{cite web|url=http://twinfinite.net/2015/08/gamescom-2015-award-winners-announced-star-wars-battlefront-cleans-up/|title=Gamescom 2015 Award Winners Announced; Star Wars Battlefront Cleans Up|first=Sharon|last=Coone|date=August 7, 2015|publisher=Twinfinite|access-date=March 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316154100/http://twinfinite.net/2015/08/gamescom-2015-award-winners-announced-star-wars-battlefront-cleans-up/|archive-date=March 16, 2018|url-status=dead}} It was nominated as "Best Independent Game" at the E3 2016 Game Critics Awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/battlefield-1-leads-e3-game-critics-awards-nominee/1100-6441374/|title=Battlefield 1 Leads E3 Game Critics Nominees|first=Tamoor|last=Hussain|date=June 29, 2016|website=GameSpot|access-date=November 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812173533/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/battlefield-1-leads-e3-game-critics-awards-nominee/1100-6441374/|archive-date=August 12, 2017|url-status=live}}

Cuphead received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Its difficulty was noted by several media outlets.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/09/cuphead-review-game-visuals-thrills-1930s-animation|title=Cuphead review: come for the 1930s visuals, stay for the hard-earned thrills|first=Sam|last=White|date=October 9, 2017|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|language=en-GB|access-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016225957/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/09/cuphead-review-game-visuals-thrills-1930s-animation|archive-date=October 16, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/3/16404486/cuphead-ruiner-video-game-difficulty-xbox-one-pc-ps4|title=Cuphead, Ruiner, and the joy of really hard games|first=Andrew|last=Webster|date=October 3, 2017|work=The Verge|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015145951/https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/3/16404486/cuphead-ruiner-video-game-difficulty-xbox-one-pc-ps4|archive-date=October 15, 2017|url-status=live}} Destructoid's Brett Makedonski welcomed the high difficulty, which he noted as "tough but fair". Based on "exhaustive" pattern recognition, he said it ultimately relied on muscle memory, rather than reaction. He thought structuring the game around boss battles was well executed, and that each boss encounter held "different and special and memorable" traits. Praising the 1930s aesthetics as cohesive, he found the jazz-based soundtrack to be "similarly fabulous". He said the "eight-direction firing radius" was "clunky and awkward". Though dying 188 times in his playthrough, Ray Carsillo at EGMNow was not frustrated by the difficulty, but rather was motivated to "dig my heels in deeper". He lauded the "gorgeous" hand-drawn visuals, surpassed only by the gameplay which goes "beyond pattern recognition". Peter Brown of GameSpot opined that combating enemies provided a considerably rewarding experience. He described the cartoon aesthetic as charming, infusing "color and expression", and a "true recreation" of hand-drawn cel animation. He relished the quick loading times which serve trial and error tactics. Though he saw "the fear of the unexpected" as part of Cuphead{{'}}s thrill, he disparaged its failure to identify progress and capability.

Lucas Sullivan at GamesRadar+ wrote that Cuphead "stands tall among the best 2D shooters of all time", and that the gameplay demands patient pattern recognition, but which is not frustrating and would reward players "tenfold". Sullivan called the animation adorable, with a wealth of detail in the watercolor backdrops, which worked well with the gameplay. Giant Bomb{{'}}s Ben Pack remarked that playing the game yielded one of his most enjoyable gaming experiences, citing the combination of "brutal" platforming and an "exceptionally well realized" art style. Joe Skrebels of IGN declared every scene a "masterwork" and commended the sound work, calling it an "ideal match" to the aesthetics. He called platforming battles the most imaginative part, and the lack of enemy health bars its "smartest" and "most devilish" feature. He found the battles rewarding and "one of Cuphead{{'}}s greatest strengths". He said the "run 'n' gun, left-to-right platforming" lacked inventiveness, and criticized the "parry system" and control scheme. Chris Schilling of PC Gamer liked the "reliable jump and dash" controls with "nimble and responsive" handling. Schilling explained that certain random elements meant "you can't simply learn patterns by rote and rely entirely on muscle memory". Chris Plante of Polygon said the game educates the player in strategy through trial and error. He enjoyed the "crucial" and "relatively forgiving" parrying system, more than the various attacks. He complained that the final bosses diminished the game's greatest features, and that the difficulty "eventually goes too far". Colm Ahern of VideoGamer.com wrote, "Cuphead will best most games in how it looks and sounds, and defeating that boss that you once deemed unbeatable is glorious." He criticized the final bosses, saying that the challenge was "a step too far".

In the two first weeks of release, more than one million copies of Cuphead were sold worldwide. Sales reached more than four million by July 2019,{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cuphead-animated-comedy-series-works-at-netflix-1223052|title=Netflix to Adapt 'Cuphead' Into Animated Comedy Series|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Patrick|last=Shanley|date=July 9, 2019|access-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709133617/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cuphead-animated-comedy-series-works-at-netflix-1223052|archive-date=July 9, 2019|url-status=live}} and five million by its second anniversary of release.{{cite web | url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/cuphead/birthday-sale | title=Cuphead celebrates 5 million copies sold with a birthday sale | first=Ian | last=Boudreau | date=September 29, 2019 | access-date=September 29, 2019 | work=PCGamesN | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929180142/https://www.pcgamesn.com/cuphead/birthday-sale | archive-date=September 29, 2019 | url-status=live }} By the time it was released for the PlayStation 4 in July 2020, it had reached 6 million sales.{{cite web | url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/28/cuphead-launches-on-ps4/ | title=Cuphead launches on PS4 | first=Mike | last=Minotti | date=July 28, 2020 | access-date=July 28, 2020 | work=Venture Beat | archive-date=July 28, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728152429/https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/28/cuphead-launches-on-ps4/ | url-status=live }}

Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course accumulated a total of one million sales within less than two weeks of its launch.{{cite web |date=2022-07-12 |title=Cuphead DLC 'The Delicious Last Course' sales top one million |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/07/cuphead-dlc-the-delicious-last-course-sales-top-one-million |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716050015/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/07/cuphead-dlc-the-delicious-last-course-sales-top-one-million |url-status=live }} In December, MDHR said that it sold over two million copies.{{Cite web |last=Norman |first=Jim |date=2022-12-14 |title=Cuphead - The Delicious Last Course Serves Up Two Million Sales |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/12/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-serves-up-two-million-sales |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course Has Sold Over 2 Million Units |url=https://gamingbolt.com/cuphead-the-delicious-last-course-has-sold-over-2-million-units/amp |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=gamingbolt.com}}{{Cite web |last=Ngan |first=Liv |date=2022-12-14 |title=Cuphead's Delicious Last Course sells 2m copies |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/cupheads-delicious-last-course-sells-2m-copies |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}

Entertainment Weekly placed Cuphead fifth on the list of its "Best Games of 2017",{{cite magazine |last1=Morales |first1=Aaron |last2=Abrams |first2=Natalie |url=https://ew.com/gaming/best-video-games-2017/5-cuphead-xbox-one-pc |title=The Year's Best Games |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |issue=1496–97 |date=December 29, 2017 |pages=92–94 |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228000453/http://ew.com/gaming/best-video-games-2017/5-cuphead-xbox-one-pc/ |archive-date=December 28, 2017 |url-status=live }} GamesRadar+ ranked it ninth on its list of the 25 Best Games of 2017",{{cite web |author=GamesRadar staff |date=December 22, 2017 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-games-2017/2/ |title=The best games of 2017: Page 2 |website=GamesRadar+ |access-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102005820/http://www.gamesradar.com/best-games-2017/2/ |archive-date=January 2, 2018 |url-status=live}} and Polygon ranked it 14th on its list of the "50 best games of 2017".{{cite web |author=Polygon staff |date=December 18, 2017 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017-best-games/2017/12/18/16781674/best-video-games-2017-top-50-mario-pubg-zelda |title=The 50 best games of 2017 |website=Polygon |access-date=February 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226032852/https://www.polygon.com/2017-best-games/2017/12/18/16781674/best-video-games-2017-top-50-mario-pubg-zelda |archive-date=February 26, 2018 |url-status=live}} In Game Informer{{'}}s Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards, the game won the "Best Microsoft Game" and "Best Co-op Multiplayer" categories, and got third place for "Best Action Game".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/04/reader-s-choice-best-of-2017-awards.aspx|title=Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards|first=Jeff|last=Cork|date=January 4, 2018|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=January 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106192400/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/04/reader-s-choice-best-of-2017-awards.aspx|archive-date=January 6, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/04/reader-s-choice-best-of-2017-awards.aspx?PostPageIndex=2|title=Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards (Page 2)|first=Jeff|last=Cork|date=January 4, 2018|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=January 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107034900/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/04/reader-s-choice-best-of-2017-awards.aspx?PostPageIndex=2|archive-date=January 7, 2018|url-status=live}} The website also gave it the awards for "Best Microsoft Exclusive" in its "Best of 2017 Awards", and for "Best Bosses" in its 2017 Action Game of the Year Awards.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/04/game-informers-best-of-2017-awards.aspx|title=Game Informer's Best of 2017 Awards|author=Game Informer staff|magazine=Game Informer|date=January 4, 2018|access-date=January 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106065031/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/04/game-informers-best-of-2017-awards.aspx|archive-date=January 6, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/05/2017-action-game-of-the-year-awards.aspx?PostPageIndex=3|title=2017 Action Game of the Year Awards (Page 3)|last=Miller|first=Matt|magazine=Game Informer|date=January 5, 2018|access-date=January 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106065400/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/05/2017-action-game-of-the-year-awards.aspx?PostPageIndex=3|archive-date=January 6, 2018|url-status=live}} EGMNow ranked the game at #2 on its list of the 25 best games of 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/features/egms-best-of-2017-part-five-5-1/|title=EGM's Best of 2017: Part Five: #5 ~ #1|author=EGM staff|date=December 31, 2017|publisher=EGMNow|access-date=January 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107062753/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/features/egms-best-of-2017-part-five-5-1/|archive-date=January 7, 2018|url-status=dead}} The Verge named it one of its 15 best video games of 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/15/16776632/best-games-2017-zelda-mario-pubg-destiny|title=The 15 best games of 2017|author=Verge staff|date=December 15, 2017|website=The Verge|access-date=June 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215151914/https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/15/16776632/best-games-2017-zelda-mario-pubg-destiny|archive-date=December 15, 2017|url-status=live}}

Cuphead was nominated for "Breakout Game of the Year" in PC Gamer{{'}}s 2017 Game of the Year Awards,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/nominees-pc-gamer-goty-2017/|title=Games of the Year 2017: The nominees|author=PC Gamer staff|magazine=PC Gamer|date=December 8, 2017|access-date=December 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106065910/http://www.pcgamer.com/nominees-pc-gamer-goty-2017/|archive-date=January 6, 2018|url-status=live}} and won the award for "Best Xbox One Game" in Destructoid{{'}}s Game of the Year Awards 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-s-award-for-best-xbox-one-game-of-2017-goes-to--478299.phtml|title=Destructoid's award for Best Xbox One Game of 2017 goes to...|last=Makedonski|first=Brett|website=Destructoid|date=December 18, 2017|access-date=January 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107001226/https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-s-award-for-best-xbox-one-game-of-2017-goes-to--478299.phtml|archive-date=January 7, 2018|url-status=live}} It won "Best Xbox One Game" and "Best Art Direction" in IGN's Best of 2017 Awards,{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Xbox_One_Game|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Xbox One Game|website=IGN|date=November 29, 2017 |access-date=December 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220143041/http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Xbox_One_Game|archive-date=December 20, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Art_Direction|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Art Direction|website=IGN|date=November 30, 2017 |access-date=December 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216180159/http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Art_Direction|archive-date=December 16, 2017|url-status=live}} whereas its other nominations were for "Game of the Year", "Best PC Game", "Best Platformer", "Best Original Music", and "Best Multiplayer".{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Game_of_the_Year|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Game of the Year|website=IGN|date=November 28, 2017 |access-date=December 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006140754/http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Game_of_the_Year|archive-date=October 6, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_PC_Game|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best PC Game|website=IGN|date=November 30, 2017 |access-date=December 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225072532/http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_PC_Game|archive-date=December 25, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Platformer|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Platformer|website=IGN|date=November 30, 2017 |access-date=December 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231213750/http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Platformer|archive-date=December 31, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Original_Music|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Original Music|website=IGN|date=November 30, 2017 |access-date=December 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327195449/https://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Original_Music|archive-date=March 27, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Multiplayer|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Multiplayer|website=IGN|date=November 30, 2017 |access-date=December 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222115854/http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Multiplayer|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}} It won "Best Looking Game" and "Best Style", and was runner-up for "Best Shopkeeper" for the character Porkrind, "Best Music", "Best Debut", and "Game of the Year" at Giant Bomb{{'s}} Game of the Year 2017 Awards.{{cite web |author=Giant Bomb staff |date=December 25, 2017 |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2017-day-one-old-disappointing-sh/1100-5699/ |title=Game of the Year 2017 Day One: Old, Disappointing, Shopkeepers, and Looks |publisher=Giant Bomb |access-date=December 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226021236/https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2017-day-one-old-disappointing-sh/1100-5699/ |archive-date=December 26, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |author=Giant Bomb staff |date=December 26, 2017 |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2017-day-two-music-surprise-multi/1100-5705/ |title=Game of the Year 2017 Day Two: Music, Surprise, Multiplayer, and Mess |publisher=Giant Bomb |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328142725/https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2017-day-two-music-surprise-multi/1100-5705/ |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |author=Giant Bomb staff |date=December 28, 2017 |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2017-day-four-debut-new-character/1100-5707/ |title=Game of the Year 2017 Day Four: Debut, New Characters, Story, and Styyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyle |publisher=Giant Bomb |access-date=December 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327161935/https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2017-day-four-debut-new-character/1100-5707/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |author=Giant Bomb staff |date=December 29, 2017 |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2017-day-five-best-worst-cast-and/1100-5708/ |title=Game of the Year 2017 Day Five: Best, Worst, Cast, and Capture |publisher=Giant Bomb |access-date=December 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327161843/https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2017-day-five-best-worst-cast-and/1100-5708/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |url-status=live}} The game won all six awards for "Animation, Artistic", "Art Direction, Period Influence", "Character Design", "Control Precision", "Game, Original Family" and "Original Light Mix Score, New IP" at the 17th Annual NAVGTR Awards,{{cite web |date=March 13, 2018 |url=https://navgtr.org/2017-awards/ |title=HORIZON ZERO DAWN WINS 7 NAVGTR AWARDS; SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY TAKES GAME OF THE YEAR |website=NAVGTR |access-date=February 8, 2023 |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223140754/https://navgtr.org/2017-awards/ |url-status=live}} while The Delicious Last Course was nominated for the "Outstanding Animation, Artistic", "Outstanding Art Direction, Period Influence", "Outstanding Character Design", "Outstanding Game, Franchise Family", and "Outstanding Original Light Mix Score, Franchise" awards at the 22nd Annual NAVGTR Awards, winning only three of them ("Outstanding Animation, Artistic", "Outstanding Game, Franchise Family", and "Outstanding Original Light Mix Score, Franchise").{{cite web |date=February 14, 2023 |url=https://navgtr.org/2022-winners/ |title=Elden Ring wins Game of the Year from NAVGTR® |website=NAVGTR |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217192031/https://navgtr.org/2022-winners/ |url-status=live}}

In the week of September 14, 2019, the album Selected Tunes from Cuphead topped the Jazz Albums Billboard charts.{{cite web |author=Billboard |date=September 14, 2019 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/jazz-albums/2019-09-14 |title=Jazz Music: Top Jazz Albums & Songs Chart |publisher=Billboard |access-date=September 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911224714/https://www.billboard.com/charts/jazz-albums/2019-09-14 |archive-date=September 11, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |author1=Andy Chalk |date=2019-09-11 |title=Cuphead's soundtrack hits number 1 on the Billboard jazz charts |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/cupheads-soundtrack-hits-number-1-on-the-billboard-jazz-charts/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}} It became the first video game to do so.{{Cite web |author1=Jordan Gerblick |date=2019-09-18 |title=Cuphead has the first video game soundtrack to hit number 1 on Billboard's Jazz charts |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/cuphead-has-the-first-video-game-soundtrack-to-hit-number-1-on-billboards-jazz-charts/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2019-09-18 |title=Cuphead's OST album beats Michael Bublé's Love album on the Billboard charts {{!}} ONE Esports |url=https://www.oneesports.gg/gaming/cupheads-ost-album-beats-michael-bubles-love-album-on-the-billboard-charts/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=www.oneesports.gg |language=en-US}} It was also ranked #1 on the Billboard Traditional Jazz and #6 on the Billboard Vinyl Charts that week.{{Cite magazine |last= |date=14 September 2019 |title=Traditional Jazz Albums (14 September 2019) |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/traditional-jazz-albums/2019-09-14/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last= |date=14 September 2019 |title=Vinyl Albums (14 September 2019) |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/vinyl-albums/2019-09-14/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=2019-09-12 |title="Cuphead" Soundtrack Hits #1 On The Billboard Jazz Charts |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/cuphead-soundtrack-hits-1-on-the-billboard-jazz-charts/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=bleedingcool.com |language=en}} The game was awarded a Guinness World Record for being the first game to reach first place on a Billboard chart.{{Cite web |title=First videogame soundtrack to reach No.1 on a US Billboard chart |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/764384-first-videogame-soundtrack-to-reach-no-1-on-a-us-billboard-chart |access-date=9 April 2025 |website=Guinness World Records}}

Since Cuphead’s release, the game has expanded its brand with the launch of a variety of merchandise, including accessories and collectibles.{{Cite magazine |date=10 July 2019 |title=9 cool 'Cuphead' collectibles if you're excited about the new Netflix show |url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/07/10/cuphead-merchandise/?srsltid=AfmBOorB6O5D5--6QE5C85d084WIeLn0L7AmLxcZoEPqQVnoRH1Fg0WF |access-date=19 April 2025 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}{{Cite web |last=Farina |first=Danielle |date=2022-02-28 |title=A Brawl Is Brewing with New 'The Cuphead Show' Merch, Collectibles, and More |url=https://thepopinsider.com/cuphead-show-new-products-launch-2/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=The Pop Insider |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Media |first=aNb |date=2022-08-09 |title=Cuphead Rolls the Dice with New Partners, Agents, Merch, and Exclusive Social Content Ahead of New Cuphead Show! Episodes |url=https://www.anbmedia.com/news/2022/08/cuphead-new-partners-agents-merch-and-exclusive-social-content/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=aNb Media, Inc. |language=en-US}} In 2019, McFarlane Toys released a Cuphead line of construction sets.{{Cite web |last=Siwak |first=Miranda |date=2018-07-18 |title=McFarlane Toys Brings Cuphead Video Game to Life With New Construction Sets |url=https://thepopinsider.com/mcfarlane-toys-cuphead-construction-sets/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=The Pop Insider |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=B. G. N. |date=2019-02-19 |title=#McFarlaneToys Exclusive: A Look at the Newest McFarlane Toy Prototypes at #ToyFair2019 |url=https://blackgirlnerds.com/mcfarlanetoys-exclusive-a-look-at-the-newest-mcfarlane-toy-prototypes-at-toyfair2019/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Black Girl Nerds |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Fogel |first=Stefanie |date=2018-07-17 |title=McFarlane Toys Is Making ‘Cuphead’ Construction Sets |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/mcfarlane-toys-cuphead-construction-sets-1202875557/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} Later in 2020, Arby's added limited-edition toys and papercrafts based on some characters from the game to its kids' menu at select locations.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-15 |title=Cuphead Gets His Own Fast Food Toy Line At Arby's Restaurants |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/cuphead_gets_his_own_fast_food_toy_line_at_arbys_restaurants |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}{{cite magazine |last1=Gerblick |first1=Jordan |date=September 15, 2020 |title=Cuphead toys are coming to Arby's kids meals |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/cuphead-toys-are-coming-to-arbys-kids-meals/ |access-date=12 October 2020 |magazine=Games Radar}}{{Cite web |last=Woodrick |first=Sam |date=2020-09-14 |title=New Cuphead Toys Are Now Available With Arby's Kids Meals |url=https://gamerant.com/new-cuphead-toys-now-available-arbys-kids-meals/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}

The co-creator of Bendy and the Ink Machine has talked about wanting to do a crossover with Cuphead in an interview in 2018.{{cite web |date=8 April 2018 |title=Bendy Co-Creator Talks Cuphead Crossover +MORE, Interview w/ BATIM's Mike Mood |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P-LBC9cXik |access-date=8 April 2018 |work=YouTube |publisher=The Leaderboard}} A Cuphead Mii Fighter costume was added to the 2018 fighting game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate via downloadable content in January 2020. It also came bundled with one of the game's boss level themes, "Floral Fury".{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=January 16, 2020 |title=Cuphead and Assassin's Creed are invading Smash Ultimate in Mii form |url=https://www.destructoid.com/cuphead-and-assassin-s-creed-are-invading-smash-ultimate-in-mii-form-578079.phtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027015130/https://www.destructoid.com/cuphead-and-assassin-s-creed-are-invading-smash-ultimate-in-mii-form-578079.phtml |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |access-date=January 16, 2020 |work=Destructoid}} Four Cuphead-themed "spirits" were added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in February 2020.{{cite web |date=February 12, 2020 |title=Cuphead Gets A Special Spirit Event In Smash Bros. Ultimate Later This Week |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/02/cuphead_gets_a_special_spirit_event_in_smash_bros_ultimate_later_this_week |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212172704/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/02/cuphead_gets_a_special_spirit_event_in_smash_bros_ultimate_later_this_week |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |access-date=Feb 12, 2020 |website=NintendoLife}}{{Cite web |date=12 February 2020 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Cuphead Event Starts This Weekend |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/super-smash-bros-ultimate-cuphead-event-starts-thi/1100-6473683/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} The game Fall Guys released Cuphead and Mugman costumes in 2021.{{Cite web |date=22 February 2021 |title=Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout - Cuphead and Mugman Costumes Announced |url=https://gamingbolt.com/fall-guys-ultimate-knockout-cuphead-and-mugman-costumes-announced/amp |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=gamingbolt.com}}{{Cite web |last=Gilliam |first=Ryan |date=2021-02-22 |title=Cuphead and Mugman stumble into Fall Guys later this week |url=https://www.polygon.com/2021/2/22/22295212/cuphead-mugman-fall-guys-costume |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=24 February 2021 |title=Fall Guys Cuphead Skins Are Live Now, Mugman Coming Soon |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fall-guys-cuphead-skins-are-live-now-mugman-coming-soon/1100-6487876/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} A Ms. Chalice costume was also released in Fall Guys in 2022.{{Cite web |date=19 August 2022 |title=Ms Chalice enters the Fall Guys Store on August 20th, along with Cuphead and Mugman! |url=https://www.fallguys.com/en-US/news/cuphead-returns-with-ms-challice |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=www.fallguys.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Tu |first=Trumann |date=2022-08-19 |title=Cuphead Costumes Coming Back To Fall Guys, Includes New Ms. Chalice Costume |url=https://gamerant.com/cuphead-costumes-fall-guys-ms-chalice-costume/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} Cuphead appeared in an advertisement in 2022 for GEICO.{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Reece |date=5 April 2022 |title=Geico 🅧 Cuphead |url=https://www.reeceparker.com/work/geico |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=REECE ⌁ PARKER |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=29 March 2022 |title=GEICO: The Gecko Meets Cuphead |url=https://dailycommercials.com/geico-the-gecko-meets-cuphead/ |access-date=19 April 2025 |website=Daily Commercials}} Xixo Games Studio’s Enchanted Portals (2023) is a run and gun video game inspired by Cuphead.{{Cite web |date=2019-10-14 |title=Enchanted Portals developer addresses Cuphead similarities |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2019/10/enchanted-portals-developer-addresses-cuphead-similarities |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=K |first=Dan |date=2019-10-09 |title=Is "Enchanted Portals" Just Bootleg "Cuphead?" |url=https://www.popdust.com/enchanted-portals-just-bootleg-cuphead-2640902844 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=popdust |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Cass |date=2019-10-09 |title=Indie game Enchanted Portals draws backlash over Cuphead similarities |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/9/20906699/enchanted-portals-kickstarter-cuphead-controversy |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} The Japanese physical release of Cuphead in April 2023 featured cover art by Yoshitaka Amano, who created an original illustration of the game's characters in his signature style.{{Cite web |last=Life |first=Nintendo |date=2023-02-15 |title=Random: Cuphead Gets Limited Edition Art From Final Fantasy Artist Yoshitaka Amano |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/02/random-cuphead-gets-limited-edition-art-from-final-fantasy-artist-yoshitaka-amano |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Plant |first=Logan |date=2023-02-15 |title=Legendary Final Fantasy Artist Reveals His Take on Cuphead |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/legendary-final-fantasy-artist-reveals-his-take-on-cuphead |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=IGN |language=en}} The collaboration drew attention online and was well received by fans.{{Cite web |last=Ratcliff |first=James |date=2023-02-15 |title=Cuphead Announces Collaboration with Renowned Final Fantasy Artist |url=https://gamerant.com/cuphead-final-fantasy-artist-collab/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=published |first=Hirun Cryer |date=2023-02-16 |title=Cuphead ships in Japan with amazing art from a Final Fantasy icon, and fans are losing it |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/cuphead-ships-in-japan-with-amazing-art-from-a-final-fantasy-icon-and-fans-are-losing-it/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}}

On May 5, 2025, Studio MDHR announced on Twitter that they are hiring senior Unity programmers with experience working on games. This prompted talks about a potential sequel or a spiritual successor to Cuphead.{{Cite web |last=Highton |first=Andrew |date=2025-05-06 |title=Cuphead Developer Studio MDHR is Hiring For New Game |url=https://insider-gaming.com/cuphead-developer-studio-mdhr-is-hiring-for-new-game/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=Insider Gaming |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Kuleshova |first=Ekaterina |date=2025-05-06 |title=Авторы Cuphead всё ещё работают над «новым большим проектом» — Игромания |url=https://www.igromania.ru/news/150462/avtoryi-cuphead-rabotayut-nad-novyim-bolshim-proektom/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=Igromania.ru |language=ru}}

A tabletop game, Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game, was released in 2021, featuring a companion app for iOS and Android that plays music and calculates the score.{{cite web|last=Adler|first=Matthew|date=2021-11-01|title=Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game Review|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/cuphead-fast-rolling-dice-game-review|access-date=2021-12-26|website=IGN|language=en|archive-date=December 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226112324/https://www.ign.com/articles/cuphead-fast-rolling-dice-game-review|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Huddleston |first=Rob |date=2022-05-05 |title='Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game' Brings the Excitement to Your Game Table |url=https://geekdad.com/2022/05/cuphead-fast-rolling-dice-game-brings-the-excitement-to-your-game-table/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=GeekDad |language=en-US}}

Since 2019, Dark Horse Comics has been developing Cuphead graphic novels.{{Cite web |last=Travers |first=J. J. |date=2019-09-27 |title=Dark Horse Comics to release original Cuphead graphic novel |url=https://aiptcomics.com/2019/09/27/original-cuphead-graphic-novel-dark-horse-comics-comic-capers-and-curios/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=AIPT |language=en-us}} The first one, Cuphead Volume 1: Comic Capers & Curios, was released in August 2020.{{Cite web |last=Keough |first=Robert |date=2020-08-12 |title=Cuphead Is Getting The Graphic Novel Treatment |url=https://screenrant.com/cuphead-graphic-novel/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}} Cuphead Vol. 2: Cartoon Chronicles & Calamities was released in March 2021.{{Cite web |last=Mahbub |first=Mufsin |date=2020-08-24 |title=Dark Horse Showcases Cuphead's 2nd Graphic Novel: Cartoon Chronicles & Calamities |url=https://www.thegamer.com/dark-horse-cuphead-graphic-novel-cartoon-chronicles-calamities/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=TheGamer |language=en}} In August 2024, the third graphic novel Cuphead Volume 3: Colorful Crack-Ups & Chaos was released.{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=2024-05-27 |title=Cuphead Will Get Three New Books From Dark Horse Books |url=https://bleedingcool.com/pop-culture/cuphead-will-get-three-new-books-from-dark-horse-books/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=bleedingcool.com |language=en}} A novel was also released in March 2020 by Studio MDHR.{{Cite web |last=Comments |first=Brittany Vincent {{!}} |date=2019-10-19 |title="Cuphead In Carnival Chaos: A Cuphead Novel" Is Debuting March 2020 |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/cuphead-in-carnival-chaos-a-cuphead-novel-is-debuting-march-2020/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=bleedingcool.com |language=en}}

{{Main|The Cuphead Show!}}

The Cuphead Show! is an animated series based on the game and produced by Netflix Animation, announced in July 2019. The show does not use pen-and-paper animation methods like the game and instead uses digital animation. Chad and Jared Moldenhauer serve as executive producers alongside CJ Kettler from King Features Syndicate.{{cite web | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/07/09/cuphead-netflix-tv-show-details | title=Cuphead Netflix TV Show Details | first=Ryan | last=McCafferty | date=July 9, 2019 | access-date=July 9, 2019 | work=IGN | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709135433/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/07/09/cuphead-netflix-tv-show-details | archive-date=July 9, 2019 | url-status=live}} The series premiered on February 18, 2022.{{cite news | title=Netflix's The Cuphead Show! gets a manic trailer and timely release date | first=Oli | last=Welsh | work=Polygon | url=https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/22887854/the-cuphead-show-trailer-netflix-release-date | date=January 18, 2022 | access-date=January 18, 2022 | archive-date=January 18, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118174033/https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/22887854/the-cuphead-show-trailer-netflix-release-date | url-status=live}} On August 19, 2022, the 13-episode second season was released worldwide.{{cite web |last1=Goslin |first1=Austen |last2=Hall |first2=Charlie |date=2022-06-10 |title=The Cuphead Show! season 2 is coming to Netflix in August |url=https://www.polygon.com/23162628/cuphead-show-season-2-release-date-trailer-netflix |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913062759/https://www.polygon.com/23162628/cuphead-show-season-2-release-date-trailer-netflix |url-status=live}} The 11-episode third season was released on November 18, 2022.{{cite web |last=Cripe |first=Michael |date=2022-10-24 |title=The Cuphead Show! Season 3 Hits Netflix Next Month, Reveals 'Secret Assassins' (Kind Of) |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/the-cuphead-show-season-part-3-release-date-trailer-netflix-november/ |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=The Escapist |language=en-US |archive-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115191538/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/the-cuphead-show-season-part-3-release-date-trailer-netflix-november/ |url-status=live}}

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/07/10/cuphead-interview/ |title=Cuphead: Bringing 1930s style to 21st century games |last=Gilbert |first=Ben |work=Engadget |publisher=AOL Tech |date=July 10, 2014 |access-date=July 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710005632/http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/10/cuphead-interview/ |archive-date=July 10, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/16/igns-best-of-e3-2015-awards |title=IGN's Best of E3 2015 Awards |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=June 16, 2015 |access-date=July 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627041221/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/16/igns-best-of-e3-2015-awards |archive-date=June 27, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/10/11/cuphead-delayed-to-2017 |title=Cuphead Delayed to 2017 |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=October 11, 2016 |access-date=October 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012075719/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/10/11/cuphead-delayed-to-2017 |archive-date=October 12, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/01/04/1930s-cartoon-inspired-cuphead-targeting-late-2014-launch-on-pc/ |title=1930s cartoon-inspired Cuphead targeting late 2014 on PC |last=Suszek |first=Mike |date=January 4, 2014 |work=Engadget (Joystiq) |publisher=AOL Tech |access-date=January 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808064308/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/04/1930s-cartoon-inspired-cuphead-targeting-late-2014-launch-on-pc/?ncid=rss_truncated |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}

{{cite web|url=http://killscreendaily.com/articles/where-did-cuphead-come/ |title=Where Did Cuphead Come From? |last=Purdom |first=Clayton |date=July 14, 2014 |work=Kill Screen |access-date=August 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808040730/http://killscreendaily.com/articles/where-did-cuphead-come/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |df=mdy}}

{{cite web |url=https://killscreen.com/previously/articles/cuphead-roughly-40-done-hey-its-gonna-be-trilogy/ |access-date=December 20, 2021 |title=Cuphead is roughly 40% done, but hey, it's gonna be a trilogy |last=Purdom |first=Clayton |date=July 3, 2014 |work=Kill Screen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808040927/http://killscreendaily.com/articles/cuphead-roughly-40-done-hey-its-gonna-be-trilogy/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/e3-2014/2014/6/9/5794052/five-of-the-most-interesting-reveals-of-the-xbox-press-conference |access-date=August 2, 2014 |title=Five of the most interesting reveals of the Xbox press conference |last1=Kuchera |first1=Ben |date=June 9, 2014 |work=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804154630/http://www.polygon.com/e3-2014/2014/6/9/5794052/five-of-the-most-interesting-reveals-of-the-xbox-press-conference |archive-date=August 4, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/9/5794640/cuphead-is-a-game-watch-it-view-it |access-date=August 2, 2014 |title=Cuphead is a game. Watch it, view it |last=Pitcher |first=Jenna |date=June 9, 2014 |work=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804164536/http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/9/5794640/cuphead-is-a-game-watch-it-view-it |archive-date=August 4, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}

}}

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