Shovel Knight#Downloadable content

File:Shovel Knight screenshot.pngShovel Knight is a 2D side-scrolling platform game with an 8-bit graphical style.{{Cite web |date=2020-05-02 |title=Review: Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope - Seven Years On, This Action Platformer Still Dazzles |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/shovel_knight_shovel_of_hope |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116164641/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/shovel_knight_shovel_of_hope |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Maiberg |first=Emanuel |date=2014-07-02 |title=Shovel Knight review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/shovel-knight-review/ |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=pcgamer |language=en |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116164613/https://www.pcgamer.com/shovel-knight-review/ |url-status=live }} In the base campaign retroactively titled Shovel of Hope, players control the eponymous adventurer as he goes on a journey to rescue his partner Shield Knight while fighting the Enchantress and her Order of No Quarter.{{Cite web |title=Shovel Knight Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/shovel-knight-review/1900-6415805/ |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116170130/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/shovel-knight-review/1900-6415805/ |url-status=live }} Shovel Knight can attack with his shovel, dig through dirt blocks, unearth treasure, or use this tool to bounce upon enemies and objects.{{Cite web |last=Moriarty |first=Colin |date=2014-06-26 |title=Shovel Knight Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/06/26/shovel-knight-review |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116170114/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/06/26/shovel-knight-review |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |author1=Tony Wilson |date=2014-06-26 |title=Shovel Knight review |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/shovel-knight-review/ |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=gamesradar |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117184107/https://www.gamesradar.com/shovel-knight-review/ |url-status=live }} Levels are themed around the individual knights of the Order of No Quarter, feature several checkpoints, and end with a boss fight against one of the order's eight members. Each section of the world map contains three knights, and the player must defeat all of them to progress to the next area.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Mike |date=2014-06-27 |title=Shovel Knight PC Review: Digging Up the Past to Find Buried Treasure |url=https://www.vg247.com/shovel-knight-pc-review-digging-up-the-past-to-find-buried-treasure |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=USgamer |language=en |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116164611/https://www.vg247.com/shovel-knight-pc-review-digging-up-the-past-to-find-buried-treasure |url-status=live }} Aside from the main quest, players are encouraged to collect treasure inside levels to improve Shovel Knight's abilities.{{Cite web |date=2014-06-26 |title=Shovel Knight review: an ageless wonder |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/85130/shovel-knight-review-an-ageless-wonder |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=Shacknews |language=en |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116164613/https://www.shacknews.com/article/85130/shovel-knight-review-an-ageless-wonder |url-status=live }}

By finding a salesman named Chester hidden inside levels, the player can purchase items called Relics with treasure. These Relics provide helpful effects and are powered using a resource called magic. Examples of Relics include a magical locket that grants temporary invulnerability, or a wand that shoots fireballs.{{Cite news |date=2014-06-26 |title=Shovel Knight review |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/shovel-knight-review |access-date=2024-01-17 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117194534/https://www.eurogamer.net/shovel-knight-review |url-status=live }} The player can further use treasure to buy useful upgrades for Shovel Knight's health, magic capacity, armor, or shovel. For example, an upgrade for the shovel allows it to shoot out damaging projectiles whenever Shovel Knight is at maximum health. Some levels contain hidden music sheets that the player can grant to a non-player character called the bard; trading these sheets awards the player treasure and the ability to sound test each of the game's music tracks.

Dying in Shovel Knight will cause the player to lose a portion of their treasure at the location of death, and the player can return to this location to recover their lost gold. However, if the player dies again before claiming this treasure, it is lost forever.{{Cite web |last=Creegan |first=Dermot |date=2015-04-30 |title=Review: Shovel Knight (PS4) |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-shovel-knight-ps4/146378/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Hardcore Gamer |language=en |archive-date=July 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719194101/https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-shovel-knight-ps4/146378/ |url-status=live }} As an optional challenge, players have the choice of destroying checkpoints to be awarded treasure, at the risk of being sent back to an earlier location in the level should they die. Completing the game unlocks a more difficult New Game Plus mode, which reduces the number of available checkpoints and increases the damage Shovel Knight takes.{{Cite web |title=Shovel Knight Review - Review |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/37927/shovel-knight-wii-u-review |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Nintendo World Report |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117194503/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/37927/shovel-knight-wii-u-review |url-status=live }}

Free downloadable content (DLC) updates add new features to the game, including a "Challenge Mode" where the player can complete difficult tasks such as speedrunning or repeat battles with the game's bosses.{{Cite web |date=2015-04-21 |title=Challenge Mode to Accompany Shovel Knight's Plague of Shadows Update |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/04/challenge_mode_to_accompany_shovel_knights_plague_of_shadows_update |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117225637/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/04/challenge_mode_to_accompany_shovel_knights_plague_of_shadows_update |url-status=live }} A local cooperative multiplayer DLC allows for two players to complete the main campaign in tandem, and co-op on Nintendo platforms is compatible with Shovel Knight series amiibo figures, allowing players to store customized characters or summon cosmetic fairies.{{Cite news |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=2017-01-12 |title=Shovel Knight is getting co-op, a new campaign, and new pricing |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/shovel-knight-is-getting-a-new-subtitle-new-pricing-and-a-new-campaign/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |work=PC Gamer |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117225640/https://www.pcgamer.com/shovel-knight-is-getting-a-new-subtitle-new-pricing-and-a-new-campaign/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Rougeau |first=Mike |date=2017-03-07 |title=Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/07/shovel-knight-treasure-trove-review |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=December 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225214445/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/07/shovel-knight-treasure-trove-review |url-status=live }} A body swap mode allows players to alter the genders or identifying pronouns of certain characters in the Shovel of Hope campaign.

Three additional single-player campaigns titled Plague of Shadows, Specter of Torment, and King of Cards focus on different playable characters who appear as boss characters in the Shovel of Hope campaign.{{Cite web |last=Yacht Club Games |date=2019-11-29 |title=How Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove Went From Minor DLC to a Collection Built to Last |url=https://www.vg247.com/how-shovel-knight-treasure-trove-went-from-minor-dlc-to-a-collection-built-to-last |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=USgamer |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212200823/https://www.vg247.com/how-shovel-knight-treasure-trove-went-from-minor-dlc-to-a-collection-built-to-last |url-status=live }} Plague of Shadows casts players as Plague Knight, who uses bombs to attack enemies and can use both a double jump and a powerful "burst jump" to launch himself through the air.{{Cite web |title=Shovel Knight Review - Review |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/41175/shovel-knight-plague-of-shadows-wii-u-review |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Nintendo World Report |archive-date=December 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225212022/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/41175/shovel-knight-plague-of-shadows-wii-u-review |url-status=live }} Specter of Torment is centered around Specter Knight, who can run up walls, jump off of them, and use his scythe to slash enemies and obstacles. King of Cards puts players in control of King Knight, who has a shoulder bash which turns into a spin attack upon colliding with enemies or objects. King Knight's campaign features a card battle mini-game called "Joustus", in which players place cards on a field to claim spaces marked with gems.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Zachary |date=2019-12-09 |title=Shovel Knight: King of Cards Review |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/52317/shovel-knight-king-of-cards-switch-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180408/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/52317/shovel-knight-king-of-cards-switch-review |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Nintendo World Report}}

In addition to the DLC campaigns, Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove features a multiplayer fighting game add-on called Shovel Knight Showdown. In Showdown, up to four players compete in various game modes using playable fighters based around characters in the franchise. The game includes a single-player story mode which can be completed to unlock new fighters and playable level.{{Cite magazine |last=Shea |first=Brian |date=2019-12-10 |title=Shovel Knight Showdown Review - Digging Down |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/shovel-knight-showdown/shovel-knight-showdown-review-digging-down |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226031347/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/shovel-knight-showdown/shovel-knight-showdown-review-digging-down |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |access-date=2023-12-26 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Zachary |last2=Ronaghan |first2=Neal |date=2019-12-17 |title=Shovel Knight: Showdown Review |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/52370/shovel-knight-showdown-switch-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226031347/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/52370/shovel-knight-showdown-switch-review |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Nintendo World Report}} Shovel Knight has several version-exclusive features such as unique boss battles; a boss version of Kratos from God of War appears in the PlayStation ports,{{Cite web |last=Moser |first=Cassidee |date=2015-04-10 |title=Shovel Knight Will Fight Kratos on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Vita |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/10/shovel-knight-will-fight-kratos-on-playstation-4-playstation-3-and-vita |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117225645/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/10/shovel-knight-will-fight-kratos-on-playstation-4-playstation-3-and-vita |url-status=live }} while Rare's Battletoads are included as enemies in the Xbox One and Windows versions.{{Cite news |last=Horti |first=Samuel |date=2017-10-09 |title=The Battletoads have finally jumped into Shovel Knight on PC |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-battletoads-leap-into-pc-version-of-shovel-knight/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |work=PC Gamer |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117225706/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-battletoads-leap-into-pc-version-of-shovel-knight/ |url-status=live }} The Nintendo 3DS version features a StreetPass arena mode, which lets players record themselves moving around an arena and attempting to defeat an invisible enemy. The recording is then sent to other players connected through StreetPass, allowing the recorded player characters to fight each other in combat.{{cite web |last=Ronaghan |first=Neal |date=2014-07-01 |title=Shovel Knight Might Have the Best Use of StreetPass - Editorial |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/editorial/37966/shovel-knight-might-have-the-best-use-of-streetpass |website=Nintendo World Report}}

Shovel Knight and his partner Shield Knight are renowned and successful adventurers, but while exploring the Tower of Fate, an amulet curses Shield Knight and leaves Shovel Knight stranded outside of the sealed tower. Grieving for his friend, Shovel Knight gives up adventuring and goes into self-imposed exile. During his absence, a powerful being known as the Enchantress rises to power, spreading evil across the land. Upon hearing that the Enchantress has unsealed the Tower of Fate, Shovel Knight resolves to journey back to it, hoping to find and rescue Shield Knight. To reach the tower, Shovel Knight confronts and defeats the members of the Order of No Quarter, a group of knights serving the Enchantress.

Along his journey towards the Tower of Fate, Shovel Knight continuously battles with his old rival Black Knight. After he defeats Black Knight for a final time at the outskirts of the tower, Black Knight reveals that the Enchantress is actually Shield Knight, who is possessed by an evil spirit that inhabits the amulet. Shovel Knight ascends the tower and defeats the Order of No Quarter again, before battling the Enchantress. He manages to exorcise the evil spirit, turning her back into Shield Knight. The amulet transforms into a powerful monster known as the Remnant of Fate, which Shovel Knight and Shield Knight defeat together. Shield Knight holds back the Remnant of Fate as the tower collapses, while Black Knight carries an unconscious Shovel Knight to safety. He leaves Shovel Knight by his campfire and departs. A post-credits scene shows Shield Knight, who managed to escape the collapsing tower, lying next to Shovel Knight as he sleeps.

Designer Nick Wozniak stated that the idea for the game started out as "sort of as a joke conversation over lunch that kind of got too serious".{{cite magazine|last1=Turi|first1=Tim|title=Shovel Knight Devs Discuss Co-Op, Pogo Jumping, And Beyond|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/29/shovel-knight-devs-discuss-co-op-pogo-jumping-and-beyond.aspx|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=13 January 2017|archive-date=January 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106072128/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/29/shovel-knight-devs-discuss-co-op-pogo-jumping-and-beyond.aspx|url-status=live}} The team had already planned to make a game in the style of the NES classics that they grew up on, and eventually the sword-thrust move from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link was brought up as a move that both designers liked. They soon thought that this move would be better suited in their game for a shovel instead of a sword. Other specific inspirations include Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, DuckTales, Super Mario Bros. 3, the Mega Man series, U.N. Squadron, and Dark Souls.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/03/15/shovel-knight-when-castlevania-meets-mega-man |title=Shovel Knight: When Castlevania Meets Mega Man |last=Moriarty |first=Colin |date=March 14, 2013 |website=IGN |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302095157/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/03/15/shovel-knight-when-castlevania-meets-mega-man |url-status=live }}{{citation |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/game-dev-recipes-shovel-knight |title=Game Dev Recipes: Shovel Knight |last=Williams |first=Mike |date=May 24, 2014 |access-date=May 26, 2014 |publisher=USgamer |archive-date=May 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525144706/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/game-dev-recipes-shovel-knight |url-status=dead }} The decision of the character's name was "pretty much settled" after the first brainstorming session, with the name "Plummet Knight" being the only other suggestion.{{cite web|last=Lane|first=Gavin|title=Feature: Playing The Name Game - Developers Discuss The Art Of Finding The Perfect Title|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/10/feature_playing_the_name_game_-_developers_discuss_the_art_of_finding_the_perfect_title|website=Nintendo Life|date=17 October 2020|access-date=17 October 2020|archive-date=October 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018063246/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/10/feature_playing_the_name_game_-_developers_discuss_the_art_of_finding_the_perfect_title|url-status=live}}

The game was announced on March 17, 2013, alongside the launch of a Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund development, with a minimum goal of {{US$|75000}}. The campaign reached its objective in late March and went on to collect a total of {{US$|311502|long=no}}, fulfilling all announced "stretch goals" for additional features, by its end on April 13.{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/14/shovel-knight-kickstarter-campaign-raises-over-300k/ |title=Shovel Knight Kickstarter campaign raises over $300K |author=Suszek, Mike |date=April 14, 2013 |publisher=Joystiq |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201200642/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/14/shovel-knight-kickstarter-campaign-raises-over-300k/ |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=dead }} Those goals included a four-player battle mode, a mission-based challenge setting, a body swap mode, and additional playable story campaigns for three boss characters.{{Cite web |last=Yacht Club Games |date=2019-11-29 |title=How Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove Went From Minor DLC to a Collection Built to Last |url=https://www.vg247.com/how-shovel-knight-treasure-trove-went-from-minor-dlc-to-a-collection-built-to-last |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212200823/https://www.vg247.com/how-shovel-knight-treasure-trove-went-from-minor-dlc-to-a-collection-built-to-last |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=USgamer |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Andy |date=2013-04-14 |title=Shovel Knight Kickstarter Campaign Ends After Reaching All Stretch Goals |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/04/shovel_knight_kickstarter_campaign_ends_after_reaching_all_stretch_goals |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}} To promote the Kickstarter, Yacht Club distributed copies of its initial Penny Arcade Expo demo to several prominent gaming personalities on YouTube, including Two Best Friends Play and Game Grumps.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

According to Shovel Knight programmer David D'Angelo, Shield Knight was originally supposed to be a princess, as the creators were using NES era damsel-in-distress characters like Roll, Peach, and Zelda as inspirations.{{cite web|url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/2014-recap-shovel-knights-surprisingly-affecting-storytelling|title=2014 Recap: Shovel Knight's Surprisingly Affecting Storytelling|work=USgamer|last=Baily|first=Kat|date=2014-12-05|access-date=2015-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120170118/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/2014-recap-shovel-knights-surprisingly-affecting-storytelling|archive-date=2015-01-20|url-status=live}} Originally, due to her lack of character, she was referred to as "Princess MacGuffin" within the development team.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/29/shovel-knight-devs-discuss-co-op-pogo-jumping-and-beyond.aspx|title=Shovel Knight Devs Discuss Co-Op, Pogo Jumping, And Beyond|magazine=Game Informer|last=Turi|first=Tim|date=2014-07-24|access-date=2015-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106072128/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/29/shovel-knight-devs-discuss-co-op-pogo-jumping-and-beyond.aspx|archive-date=2015-01-06|url-status=live}} For the "Body Swap" mode, Yacht Club created male versions of Shield Knight and the Enchantress. The "Enchanter" was one of the first body swap concepts Yacht Club explored, and his creation process led to many of the design rules Yacht Club's artists subsequently imposed on themselves. The Enchantress' design was inspired by traditional Japanese attire, so Yacht Club initially experimented with kimono and robes for her male counterpart as well. When this did not work out, artists moved on to a samurai-inspired design, similar to that of Ganondorf in the Super Smash Bros. series. Yacht Club's artists originally explored skirted designs for male Shield Knight, but these did not make the cut. Certain ornamental aspects of Shield Knight's armor were removed or reduced in size in order to make the character look more masculine.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/2/28/14752908/shovel-knight-body-swap-gender|work=Polygon|title=Shovel Knight rethinks gender in retro games with Body Swap Mode (update)|author=Yacht Club Games|date=2017-03-15|access-date=2017-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608060721/https://www.polygon.com/2017/2/28/14752908/shovel-knight-body-swap-gender|archive-date=2017-06-08|url-status=live}}

{{Listen

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Shovel Knight features a chiptune soundtrack in the style of older video games from the NES era composed by Jake Kaufman, with two contributions by Mega Man composer Manami Matsumae. The game's soundtrack was released for download via Bandcamp on the same day as the game, as was a rearrangement album.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

Shovel Knight{{'}}s graphics and music mimic the style of video games from the NES era and shares the NES's limits of color palette (plus four colors) and sprite count. This means that larger sprites are superimposed on a black background to limit the onscreen colors to a realistic maximum. Other trickery to properly honor the NES limitations include camera shakes that only act on a single axis and a GUI that acts as a background layer instead of being overlaid on top of the gameplay.{{cite web|title = Gamasutra: David D'Angelo's Blog – Breaking the NES for Shovel Knight|url = http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/DavidDAngelo/20140625/219383/Breaking_the_NES_for_Shovel_Knight.php|website = www.gamasutra.com|date = June 25, 2014|access-date = 2015-09-28|archive-date = August 5, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200805034219/https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/DavidDAngelo/20140625/219383/Breaking_the_NES_for_Shovel_Knight.php|url-status = live}}

The game was originally slated for release in September 2013, but was delayed into early 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/36386 |title=Shovel Knight Entering Alpha Design Stage |author=Goergen, Andy |publisher=Nintendo World Report |date=January 19, 2014 |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202000017/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/36386 |url-status=live }} After various further delays,{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/01/22/old-school-game-shovel-knight-gets-release-date-new-trailer |title=Old-School Game Shovel Knight Gets Release Date, New Trailer |author=Moriarty, Colin |date=January 22, 2014 |website=IGN |access-date=January 22, 2014 |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614003140/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/01/22/old-school-game-shovel-knight-gets-release-date-new-trailer |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/36824/shovel-knight-delayed-a-few-weeks |title=Shovel Knight Delayed 'A Few Weeks' |author=Ronaghan, Neal |date=March 12, 2014 |publisher=Nintendo World Report |access-date=March 12, 2014 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111215308/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/36824/shovel-knight-delayed-a-few-weeks |url-status=live }} Yacht Club Games announced on June 5 that the game would be released on June 26, 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/37618/shovel-knight-scheduled-for-june-26-release |title=Shovel Knight Scheduled for June 26 Release |author=Johnson, Clay |date=June 6, 2014 |publisher=Nintendo World Report |access-date=June 6, 2014 |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614003127/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/37618/shovel-knight-scheduled-for-june-26-release |url-status=live }} The game was eventually released on several additional platforms including both the PlayStation 4{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/06/psx-2014-shovel-knight-coming-to-ps4-ps3-vita|title=PSXn2014: Shovel Knight Coming to PS4, PS3, Vita|date=December 6, 2014|last=Moriarty|first=Colin|publisher=Ziff Davis|work=IGN|access-date=December 6, 2014|archive-date=March 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317184454/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/06/psx-2014-shovel-knight-coming-to-ps4-ps3-vita|url-status=live}} and Xbox One, featuring exclusive boss battles, with Kratos from God of War on PS4 and the Battletoads on Xbox One.{{cite web | url=http://news.xbox.com/2015/03/games-idxbox-gdc-2015 | title=New ID@Xbox Games Storm GDC | work=Xbox Wire | date=March 3, 2015 | access-date=March 3, 2015 | archive-date=September 27, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927003602/http://news.xbox.com/2015/03/games-idxbox-gdc-2015 | url-status=live }}{{cite tweet|user=YachtClubGames|author=Yacht Club Games|number=573208273681182721|date=4 March 2015|title=The Battletoads drop in for a fight! Shovel Knight is headed to Xbox One and meets up with @RareLtd brawling trio!}} Various platforms got a physical media release in October 2015.{{cite web|url=http://yachtclubgames.com/2015/10/retail-update/|title=Retail Update|date=2015-10-08|access-date=November 10, 2015|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126053843/https://yachtclubgames.com/2015/10/retail-update/|url-status=dead}}

Prior to 2017, the game was sold with the name Shovel Knight, with various additional campaigns appearing as free downloadable content. An update in April 2017 made the original story campaign and additional downloadable campaigns available for standalone purchase on certain platforms, with the original campaign being subtitled Shovel of Hope.{{cite web|title=Switch-up!|url=http://yachtclubgames.com/2017/01/switch-up/|website=Yachtclubgames|publisher=Yacht Club Games|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090726/https://yachtclubgames.com/2017/01/switch-up/|url-status=dead}} A compilation containing all three campaigns was released as Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, with all previous purchases being updated to the Treasure Trove edition.

An enhanced edition titled Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX was announced in June 2024, and will be releasing on Steam. The new edition will feature 20 different playable characters, online multiplayer, rewind and save state features, in-game cheats, and additional content and features previously exclusive to specific platforms, such as the Nintendo 3DS version's stereoscopic 3D and Battle Ghost Arena mode (formerly StreetPass Arena).{{cite web | url=https://www.yachtclubgames.com/blog/shovel-knight-shovel-of-hope-dx-announcement | title=Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX Announcement - Yacht Club Games }}

{{Video game reviews

| MC = (Vita) 92/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/shovel-knight/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita |title=Shovel Knight for PlayStation Vita Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=December 7, 2014 |archive-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210234650/https://www.metacritic.com/game/shovel-knight/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita |url-status=live }}
(NS) 91/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/shovel-knight-treasure-trove/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Shovel Knight for Nintendo Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119154524/https://www.metacritic.com/game/shovel-knight-treasure-trove/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |url-status=live }}
(3DS) 90/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/shovel-knight/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds |title=Shovel Knight for 3DS Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=December 7, 2014 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119154523/https://www.metacritic.com/game/shovel-knight/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds |url-status=live }}
(PS4) 90/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/shovel-knight/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Shovel Knight for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=December 7, 2014 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119154525/https://www.metacritic.com/game/shovel-knight/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |url-status=live }}
(WIIU) 88/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/shovel-knight/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u |title=Shovel Knight for Wii U Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=December 7, 2014 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119154523/https://www.metacritic.com/game/shovel-knight/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u |url-status=live }}
(XONE) 86/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/shovel-knight/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Shovel Knight for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=December 7, 2014 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119154524/https://www.metacritic.com/game/shovel-knight/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |url-status=live }}
(PC) 85/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/shovel-knight/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Shovel Knight for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=December 7, 2014 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119154524/https://www.metacritic.com/game/shovel-knight/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live }}

| IGN = 9/10{{cite web |last=Moriarty |first=Colin |date=June 25, 2014 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/06/26/shovel-knight-review |title=Shovel Knight Review |website=IGN |access-date=December 7, 2014 |archive-date=May 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520030654/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/06/26/shovel-knight-review |url-status=live }}

| NLife = 9/10{{cite web |last=J. Reed |first=Phillip |date=June 26, 2014 |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds-eshop/shovel_knight |title=Shovel Knight (3DS eShop) Review |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=December 7, 2014 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124204548/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds-eshop/shovel_knight |url-status=live }}

}}

Shovel Knight received universal acclaim, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Reception was "generally favorable" for Wii U, Xbox One and PC. IGN editor Colin Moriarty awarded the game a 9/10 rating, calling it "arguably the best game released so far in 2014." Infendo.com called it "a brilliant homage to a bygone era, yet an equally fresh, captivating and innovative game"{{cite web|last=Riley|first=Justin|title=Review: Shovel Knight, A Brilliant Homage To The 8-Bit Era|date=August 27, 2014|url=http://www.infendo.com/review-shovel-knight-a-brilliant-homage-to-the-8-bit-era/|access-date=August 28, 2014|archive-date=July 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702154846/http://www.infendo.com/review-shovel-knight-a-brilliant-homage-to-the-8-bit-era/|url-status=live}} and Nintendo Life praised the 3DS version's "excellent controls, gorgeous graphics, an incredible soundtrack and endearing characters ... top-notch level design, varied gameplay, hidden rooms, optional challenges and a deceptively rich combat system."

Including Kickstarter backers, 180,000 copies of Shovel Knight were sold within one month of the North American launch. 49,000 copies were sold on Wii U, 59,000 were sold on 3DS, and 66,000 were sold on Steam.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-08-06-shovel-knight-sales-surpass-devs-lifetime-estimate-in-one-month|title=Shovel Knight sales surpass dev's lifetime estimate in one month |last=Matulef|first=Jeffrey|date=August 7, 2014|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=August 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808003749/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-08-06-shovel-knight-sales-surpass-devs-lifetime-estimate-in-one-month|archive-date=August 8, 2014 }} By December 4, 2014, more than 300,000 copies had been sold across all platforms.{{cite tweet|user=YachtClubGames|author=Yacht Club Games|number=540613748843479040|date=4 December 2014|title=Shovel Knight has surpassed 300k copies! A hearty "Thank You" to all Shovel Knight players out there!}} As of June 30, 2015, more than 700,000 copies had been sold.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-06-30-shovel-knight-is-getting-a-retail-release|title=Shovel Knight is getting a retail release|first=Jeffery|last=Matulef|work=Eurogamer|date=June 30, 2015|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=June 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615231517/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-06-30-shovel-knight-is-getting-a-retail-release|url-status=live}} By December 14, 2016, 1.5 million copies had been sold.{{cite web|last1=Mäki|first1=Jonas|title=1.5 million copies of Shovel Knight sold|url=http://www.gamereactor.eu/news/490333/1.5+million+copies+of+Shovel+Knight+sold/|website=Game Reactor|date=December 14, 2016|access-date=14 December 2016|archive-date=April 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412145951/https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/490333/1.5+million+copies+of+Shovel+Knight+sold/|url-status=live}} Yacht Club Games wrote in April 2018 that 2 million copies of Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove had been sold.{{cite web|url=http://yachtclubgames.com/2018/04/two-million-copies-of-shovel-knight-sold/|title=Two Million Copies of Shovel Knight Sold!!|website=Yacht Club Games|date=11 April 2018|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=March 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306225104/https://yachtclubgames.com/2018/04/two-million-copies-of-shovel-knight-sold/|url-status=dead}} By September 2019, 2.65 million copies had been sold.{{cite web|title=Shovel Knight Developers Say King of Cards and Showdown Mark "The End"|url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/shovel-knight-developers-say-king-of-cards-and-showdown-mark-the-end|website=USGamer|first=Mathew|last=Olson|date=25 September 2019|access-date=23 November 2019|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806145613/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/shovel-knight-developers-say-king-of-cards-and-showdown-mark-the-end|url-status=dead}}

An Amiibo figure of Shovel Knight was released in 2015, as the first Amiibo toy produced by a third party.{{cite web |title=Shovel Knight amiibo Unveiled |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/shovel-knight-amiibo-unveiled/1100-6430110/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=August 29, 2015 |archive-date=August 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150828130307/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/shovel-knight-amiibo-unveiled/1100-6430110/ |url-status=live }} An Amiibo 3-pack containing Plague Knight, Specter Knight, and King Knight was released in 2019 along with a gold variant of the previously released Shovel Knight figure.{{Cite web|url=https://yachtclubgames.com/2017/08/shovel-knight-treasure-trove-3-pack/|title=3 Pack Shovel Knight amiibo|date=June 14, 2018|website=Yacht Club Games|access-date=March 2, 2020|archive-date=May 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527182906/https://yachtclubgames.com/2017/08/shovel-knight-treasure-trove-3-pack/|url-status=dead}} Shovel Knight collaborated with Arby's in March 2021 to release a set of toys, which included Arby's themed cheat codes for the game.

Shovel Knight appears as a playable guest character in many games{{Cite web|url=https://yachtclubgames.com/2021/06/official-shovel-knight-cameo-list/|title=Official Shovel Knight Cameo List - Yacht Club Games|access-date=June 24, 2021|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624222421/https://yachtclubgames.com/2021/06/official-shovel-knight-cameo-list/|url-status=live}} including Indie Pogo, Blade Strangers, Cook, Serve, Delicious: Battle Kitchen, Move or Die, Dino-Run DX, Runner3, Riverbond, Rivals of Aether, Blaster Master Zero, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Road Redemption, Epic Manager, C-Wars, Starr Mazer, Runbow, All-Stars Dungeons and Diamonds, Ghost Police, Mutant Mudds Super Challenge, Pixel Noir, and Mighty Quest.{{cite web|last1=Holmes|first1=Jonathan|title=Shovel Knight and Shantae set to strike in Blaster Master Zero|url=https://www.destructoid.com/shovel-knight-and-shantae-set-to-strike-in-blaster-master-zero-446861.phtml|website=Destructoid|date=July 4, 2017|access-date=4 July 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417181217/https://www.destructoid.com/shovel-knight-and-shantae-set-to-strike-in-blaster-master-zero-446861.phtml|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/06/12/shovel-knight-will-make-an-appearance-in-bloodstained-ritual-of-the-night/|title=Shovel Knight Will Make An Appearance In Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night – Siliconera|date=12 June 2015|access-date=September 25, 2016|archive-date=January 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118012455/http://www.siliconera.com/2015/06/12/shovel-knight-will-make-an-appearance-in-bloodstained-ritual-of-the-night/|url-status=live}} Shovel Knight characters make cameo appearances in Brawlhalla,{{cite web|last=Farokhmanesh|first=Megan|date=2014-12-23|title=Shovel Knight, what are you doing on that motorcycle?|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/12/23/7440695/shovel-knight-road-redemption|access-date=2016-06-20|website=Polygon|archive-date=July 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716223947/https://www.polygon.com/2014/12/23/7440695/shovel-knight-road-redemption|url-status=live}} Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Azure Striker Gunvolt 2,{{cite web|url=http://yachtclubgames.com/2016/07/a-shocking-surprise-shovel-knight-appears-in-gunvolt-2/|title=A Shocking Surprise! Shovel Knight Appears in Gunvolt 2 – Yacht Club Games|website=yachtclubgames.com|access-date=September 25, 2016|archive-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213101317/https://yachtclubgames.com/2016/07/a-shocking-surprise-shovel-knight-appears-in-gunvolt-2/|url-status=dead}} Two Brothers, Yooka-Laylee, Aegis Defenders, The Reward: Tales of Alethrion,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUlg8Y_mLfA|title=The Reward: Tales of Alethrion – "The First Hero"|last=Tales of Alethrion|date=22 April 2015|via=YouTube|access-date=September 14, 2016|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108152317/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUlg8Y_mLfA|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://yachtclubgames.com/2016/09/shovel-knight-joins-yooka-laylee/|title=Shovel Knight Joins Yooka-Laylee – Yacht Club Games|website=yachtclubgames.com|access-date=September 25, 2016|archive-date=May 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501035624/http://yachtclubgames.com/2016/09/shovel-knight-joins-yooka-laylee/|url-status=dead}} River City Ransom: Underground, Creepy Castle, Puzzle Depot,{{cite web |url=http://blog.nicalis.com/2016/10/creepy-castle-cameosn-crossovers/ |title=Creepy Castle: Cameos'n Crossovers! | |access-date=2017-04-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428133809/http://blog.nicalis.com/2016/10/creepy-castle-cameosn-crossovers/ |archive-date=2017-04-28 }} Crypt of the NecroDancer, Enter the Gungeon, Katana Zero, Balatro, and For Honor.{{cite web|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/02/18/shovel-knight-gets-another-crossover-this-time-in-for-honor|title=Shovel Knight Gets Another Crossover, This Time In For Honor|date=February 18, 2021|author=Juba, Joe|publisher=Game Informer|access-date=February 27, 2021|archive-date=February 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223122123/https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/02/18/shovel-knight-gets-another-crossover-this-time-in-for-honor|url-status=live}} Its music appears in Just Shapes & Beats and Voez.

In February 2020, spinoff titled Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon, a dungeon crawler puzzle game was announced, and released on December 13, 2021, for macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4.{{Cite web |last=Moon |first=Mariella |date=February 26, 2020 |title=New 'Shovel Knight' spinoff is a Tetris-like puzzle game |url=https://www.engadget.com/2020-02-26-shovel-knight-pocket-dungeon.html |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=Engadget |language=en-US |archive-date=August 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802142954/https://www.engadget.com/2020-02-26-shovel-knight-pocket-dungeon.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Raj |first=Hritwik |date=2021-12-14 |title=All Playable Platforms for Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon |url=https://www.touchtapplay.com/all-playable-platforms-for-shovel-knight-pocket-dungeon/ |access-date=2021-12-14 |website=Touch, Tap, Play |language=en-US |archive-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210234716/https://www.touchtapplay.com/all-playable-platforms-for-shovel-knight-pocket-dungeon/ |url-status=live }} A prequel titled Shovel Knight Dig was co-developed with Nitrome and released on September 23, 2022, for Windows, Nintendo Switch, and Apple Arcade.{{Cite web |title=Shovel Knight Dig Releases on September 23rd! - Yacht Club Games |url=https://www.yachtclubgames.com/blog/shovel-knight-dig-releases-on-september-23rd/ |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=Yacht Club Games |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923162504/https://www.yachtclubgames.com/blog/shovel-knight-dig-releases-on-september-23rd/ |url-status=live }}

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