Nicalis Deploys Major Update for Cave Story+ on Steam Introducing Local Co-op and Visual Enhancements

Nicalis updates Cave Story+ on Steam with 2-player co-op, widescreen support, and new animations. Experience the definitive version of this indie classic today.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 10:28 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Japan Daily

Parity Restored Between Platform Versions

The recent update to Cave Story+ on PC marks a significant technical alignment between the Steam and Nintendo Switch versions of the game. For several years, the Switch edition enjoyed exclusive features that remained unavailable to the PC community. With the April 11 deployment, Nicalis has finally integrated the highly requested two-player local cooperative mode into the Steam framework. This allows two players to navigate the subterranean world of the Mimigas together, fundamentally altering the tactical approach to the game’s twenty-plus boss encounters.

Visual Modernization and Display Optimization

Beyond the addition of multiplayer, the update introduces a suite of aesthetic improvements designed to modernize the title’s 2D presentation. Character dialogue is now accompanied by new animated portraits for the entire cast, adding a layer of expressiveness to the narrative interactions. Furthermore, the developers have implemented enhanced water effects and comprehensive support for widescreen displays, ensuring the remastered version takes full advantage of modern monitor resolutions without stretching or distorting the original pixel art.

A Legacy of Indie Innovation

Originally developed by Daisuke Amaya under the Studio Pixel moniker, Cave Story is widely cited as a foundational work in the modern indie game movement. The remastered "Plus" version builds upon the free original by offering six distinct game modes, including a dedicated Boss Rush. The narrative follows an amnesiac protagonist who must protect a race of rabbit-like creatures from a villain known as The Doctor. This intricate story, combined with a multi-ending system, contributed to the title being named one of the "100 Greatest Games of All Time" by TIME magazine in 2012.