After all this time, I'm really tempted to give this port a thumbs down. Shame on Nicalis for not giving this thing the tender love that such an important game deserves! No wonder Cave Story is underappreciated by the choose-three era zoomers - there really isn't a great way to play the game with Pixel's gorgeous, extra detailed, updated graphics in widescreen with no controller problems, legally in 2026 - 24 years after the release of the freeware version. Why isn't at least the switch port here? I can kind of see why pixel didn't work with them again.

This may be my top favorite game guys. It's a must have classic game that I feel many people will fall in love with. As someone who has a short attention span with games, this one keeps my attention at all times lol. Don't let my gameplay time fool you though. I'm a fool who's bought this game on multiple platforms (Wii, 3DS, Switch, PC). Not many people talk about this hidden gem. The secret (true) ending is a blast to get and really hard to do without at least looking at a guide once or twice. Props to everyone who got it without guides. The story is also really captivating as well. And the music, THE MUSIC! It's amazing. I personally use the remastered version of the music because i grew up with that version, but you can also use original and new versions as well.

I played this masterpiece many times before but the state of this PC version is unacceptable. It's not playable on an ultrawide screen because the image gets totally cropped on the top and bottom. There is a switch version that supports a 16:9 aspect ratio but I'm not even asking for that here, I'm asking for a usable product.

Then there is the lack of controller support. Most games will pick the controller that you used last as your preferred input method. This game will not pick an Xbox controller unless you plug it before it's launched. Then you have to go to the settings and select the controller as your input method. Once you get it configured you notice the horrid and outdated controller scheme. I didn't reach as far as to start playing because I can't see a good part of the screen and there was no point but going by the experience that I did have I assume that the glyphs of the controller buttons are not even supported.

I can't recommend this version. Do yourself a favor and play the original freeware version from its creator Amaya Pixel or one of the community versions.