Shovel Knight - Developer interview with gameplay footage

Nintendo UK has released a developer interview video with Sean Velasco of Yacht Club Games, who discusses the inspiration for Shovel Knight. Velasco says the game is a throwback to the NES era when games were much simpler, and the emphasis was on gameplay and fun, rather than realistic graphics. This isn't your typical interview, as there is plenty of footage to show off what awaits Nintendo fans who are looking forward to the retro-style action-adventure title. Video after the break.

Shovel Knight coming to Wii U eShop on March 31st

Yacht Club Games have announced that their retro-inspired Shovel Knight is scheduled for release on Monday, March 31st. The indie title will be available on the Wii U and 3DS via the eShop, and also on PC. The 2D side-scroller has received plenty of press attention since it was announced, due to the fact that the developer is made up of former employees of WayForward, the company known for its outstanding 2D games.

The company has cited classic NES titles like Mega Man and DuckTales as sources of inspiration, and it's easy to see the influence that they've had on the game mechanics. It has also been revealed that composer Manami Matsumae, who wrote the music for Mega Man 1 and 10, will be writing two songs for Shovel Knight.

To coincide with the announcement, Yacht Club Games has released a new trailer which is over 2 minutes long and features plenty of gameplay footage. Trailer after the break.

Shovel Knight - Trailer

Yacht Club Games has released a new trailer for their upcoming game Shovel Knight which is expected to arrive on the Wii U eShop before the year is out. The side-scrolling action game was inspired by classic NES titles like Mega Man and DuckTales, and the influence is very noticeable. The developer is made up of former employees of WayForward Technologies, a studio renowned for their carefully crafted 2D action titles like Mighty Switch Force, which has attracted a lot of attention and helped the Kickstarter smash through its original goal by a wide margin. You can check out some actual gameplay footage after the break.

Mega Man composer will write two songs for eShop game Shovel Knight

Indie developer Yacht Club Games is made up of former members of developer WayForward Technologies, and their first title, Shovel Knight, is shaping up nicely. The eShop title, which is coming to the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, has been compared to some of Capcom's NES classics including DuckTales and Mega Man, which is definitely a good thing. And now, it appears that the platformer will actually have a connection to Capcom and their famous Blue Bomber.

Yacht Club Games have announced that composer Manami Matsumae, who wrote the music for Mega Man 1 and 10, will be writing two songs for Shovel Knight.

Matsumae gave the following statement about her role in the project:

This is the first time I'm working on a Western game! It's quite exciting! Shovel Knight and I are a good fit. So... let's get shovelin'?

-Manami Matsumae, music composer

The Kickstarter campaign for Shovel Knight has exceeded the original goal of $75,000 by a wide margin. At the time of writing, more than $103,000 have been pledged to the project, and given today's news, the odds of them reaching their many stretch goals are undoubtedly higher. For more on the game, you can check out the official fundraiser via the source link below.

Source: Kickstarter

Shovel Knight reaches Kickstarter goal, stretch goals added

Shovel Knight, the first title from indie developer Yacht Club Games, has reached its Kickstarter goal of $75,000. The retro-style game is coming to the Wii U and 3DS as an eShop title. A few stretch goals have been added to inspire more people to invest in the platformer. If the campaign raises $100,000, a New Game+ mode will be added, and there is the possibility of a four-player battle mode if they manage to raise $200,000. If they receive more than $200,000, the studio promises to deliver "More Mystery Stuff!!!"

The game was featured at this year's PAX East and received a lot of praise from attendees. Many have compared it to the classic NES games DuckTales and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. For those of you haven't seen it yet, you can watch the reveal trailer after the break.

Source: Shovel Night - Kickstarter.com

Pledge $15 to Shovel Knight on Kickstarter, get a free copy for Wii U, 3DS, or PC

Yacht Club Games have announced that they will be giving a free copy of Shovel Knight to everyone who pledges $15 or more to the game's Kickstarter campaign. The indie title is coming to the Wii U, 3DS, and PC, and qualifying supporters will be given the chance to choose which platform they'd like to have the retro-style indie title on. Here's the announcement:

Shovel Knight announced for 3DS and Wii U! CAN YOU DIG IT!?

You asked for it. We wanted it. And now, we can finally say it! If funded, Shovel Knight will be coming to Wii U and 3DS!

Wii U and 3DS game codes will be made available to everyone who pledges $15 or more. Upon release, you can choose (1) which version of the game you prefer: Windows PC, Wii U, or 3DS!

Why isn’t the $10 pledge eligible? Developing and releasing console games is more expensive than doing so on Windows PC. We have costs like:

We must pay for each Nintendo download code given out. This is the biggest reason.

Developing awesome console specific features like the Wii U Gamepad and 3DS dual screen setup!

Dev kits and certification requirements.

We are so completely excited to be developing for Nintendo! Because as an 8-bit style game, Nintendo is where Shovel Knight belongs. Now our heritage platform is secured. What platform could be next!?!?

You can check out the game on Kickstarter via the link below:

Shovel Knight - Kickstarter

Shovel Knight confirmed for Wii U and 3DS

Last week, we posted an article about Shovel Knight, an NES-style platformer from indie developer Yacht Club Games. The studio had said that they were hoping to bring the game to the Wii U or 3DS, and their Kickstarter campaign got off to a running start.

It appears that Yacht Club Games has now confirmed that it is on its way to both of Nintendo's platforms. The image you see above was posted on the company's official Twitter feed, which shows some promotional material for their upcoming display at PAX East next week. If you look at the bottom of the two banners, you can see logos for the Wii U, 3DS, and Steam (Valve's digital distribution service for the PC).

Source: Twitter

For more about Shovel Knight, you can check out the game's official Kickstarter campaign via the link below.

Shovel Knight - Kickstarter

Yacht Club Games wants to bring Shovel Knight to Wii U and 3DS

Update: Yacht Club Games has confirmed that the game is coming to the Wii U. Click here for story.

Original Story

Yacht Club Games is a new studio formed by ex-members of WayForward, the company that created the hit Mighty Switch Force! games. The new studio has now revealed its first project - Shovel Knight.

The 2D platformer is being developed in a retro 8-bit style reminiscent of the NES era, and is described as "a hot mashup of new and old that may remind you of Mega Man, Castlevania, or Dark Souls."

Here's the official description from Kickstarter:

Shovel Knight is a sweeping classic action adventure game with awesome gameplay, memorable characters, and an 8-bit retro aesthetic. It's a hot mashup of new and old that may remind you of Mega Man, Castlevania, or Dark Souls! You play as the eponymous Shovel Knight, a small knight with a huge quest. Shovel Knight has come to this valley with two goals: to defeat the evil Enchantress and save his lost beloved. He wields a ShovelBlade: a multipurpose weapon whose techniques have now been lost to the ages. Always honest and helpful, Shovel Knight is a shining example of the code of Shovelry: Slash Mercilessly and Dig Tirelessly!

But, between Shovel Knight and his beloved stands a cadre of villainous knights. These terrible foes, known as The Order of No Quarter, have been dispatched to prevent Shovel Knight from reaching the Enchantress, and will pursue their mission at any cost.

If you love games with perfect platforming, beautiful art, infectious music, crazy bosses, and real heart… Shovel Knight is for you!

Yacht Club Games is trying raise at least $75,000 to fund the project, and they have already received just over $10,000 in pledges with 29 days to go. The game is in development for the PC at the moment, although the developers have confirmed that they also hope to bring it to the Wii U and 3DS.

You can check out some more screenshots via the source link below. Trailer after the break.

Source: Shovel Knight - Kickstarter