Best Way To Play Wiki - User contributions [en]

Cave Story

2026-06-09T21:27:53Z

Aar:

{{BWTP/Infobox
| title = Cave Story
| image = CaveStory.png
}}

Cave story has had a myriad of ports and re-releases over the years as the creator handed the source code to many people back in the mid to late 2000s before being bought by NiCALiS who released Cave Story+ on multiple platforms.

The best way to play Cave Story is split between '''Cave Story: Tweaked''', A mod of the Cave Story Decomp CSE2 with various [[QoL]], '''Doukutsu-rs''' a faithful rewrite of the engine in rust, and '''Cave Story+''' with the '''Aeon Genesis Translation Patch''' (AGTP).

{| class="wikitable bwtp-breakdown-table"
!  
! Cave Story: Tweaked
! Doukutsu-rs
! Cave Story+
|-
! Cost
| {{Check|Free}}
| {{Check|{{abbr|Free|Assets must be supplied, but freeware is free to download and drop in the folder}}}}
| {{Dash|$14.99}}
|-
! FPS
| {{Check|{{abbr|50/60fps toggle|The original Freeware release of Cave Story played at a cap of 50fps. The release of CS+ added a 60fps option. It has been ported to tweaked to allow either play speed.}} }}
| {{Check|{{abbr|50/60fps toggle|The original Freeware release of Cave Story played at a cap of 50fps. The release of CS+ added a 60fps option. It has been ported to tweaked to allow either play speed.}} }}
| {{Check|{{abbr|50/60fps toggle|The original Freeware release of Cave Story played at a cap of 50fps. The release of CS+ added a 60fps option. It has been ported to tweaked to allow either play speed.}} }}
|-
! Graphics
| {{Dash|{{abbr|1X res and fanmade 2X res included|The original 2004 freeware release of Cave Story ran at a native resolution of 320x240 pixels, similar to early second and third-generation retro video games. Cave Story+ released with a set of double-resolution 640x480 "New" graphics done in-house by Nicalis, which are considered somewhat controversial to some based on their inconsistent quality and art direction. The Switch release/2026 update further adds to this by introducing a new lighting engine.}} }}
| {{Dash|{{abbr|1X res and 2X res support (must supply assets) |The original 2004 freeware release of Cave Story ran at a native resolution of 320x240 pixels, similar to early second and third-generation retro video games. Cave Story+ released with a set of double-resolution 640x480 "New" graphics done in-house by Nicalis, which are considered somewhat controversial to some based on their inconsistent quality and art direction. The Switch release/2026 update further adds to this by introducing a new lighting engine.}} }}
| {{Dash|{{abbr|1X and official 2X res included|The original 2004 freeware release of Cave Story ran at a native resolution of 320x240 pixels, similar to early second and third-generation retro video games. Cave Story+ released with a set of double-resolution 640x480 "New" graphics done in-house by Nicalis, which are considered somewhat controversial to some based on their inconsistent quality and art direction. The Switch release/2026 update further adds to this by introducing a new lighting engine.}} }}
|-
! Resolution
| {{Check|Multiple 16:9 sizes}}
| {{Check|Fully Dynamic}}
| {{Check|Multiple 16:9 sizes}}
|-
! Lighting Engine
| {{Check|Original}}
| {{Check|{{abbr|Original + Doukutsu-rs Custom lighting Engine|Doukutsu-rs's Lighting Engine is applied over the top of the existing graphics with no additional changes, giving a more faithful look with added ambience. It also has a cone light emitting from the player (togglable)}}}}
| {{Check|{{abbr|Original + CS+ Custom Lighting Engine| CS+'s Lighting Engine changes the graphics in the walls to be darkened with a blue tint to more closely mimic other metroidvania games.}}}}
|-
! Content
| {{Dash|Base game}}
| {{Dash|Base game}}
| {{Check|{{abbr|Extra Challenges|Single level challenges unconnected to the base game}}}}
|-
! Soundtrack
| {{Check|{{abbr|Original + support for extras|The original Soundtrack is included, as well as the folder structure to drag/drop in soundtracks from other releases, as well as fan-made soundtracks.}}}}
| {{Check|{{abbr|Original + support for extras|The original Soundtrack is included, as well as the folder structure to drag/drop in soundtracks from other releases, as well as fan-made soundtracks.}}}}
| {{Check|Original + remaster, switchable}}
|-
! Translation
| {{Check|{{abbr|AGTP translation|The AGTP translation of Cave Story is considered more iconic and flows better. It has the iconic "Huzzah!" catchphrase for Balrog instead of a generic "Oh yeah!", and the line "I pray for your victory" instead of "Best of... luck...".}}}}
| {{Dash|User must provide assets}}
| {{Xmark|{{abbr|NiCALiS translation|The AGTP translation of Cave Story is considered more iconic and flows better. It has the iconic "Huzzah!" catchphrase for Balrog instead of a generic "Oh yeah!", and the line "I pray for your victory" instead of "Best of... luck...".}}}}

|-
! Patches
| {{Check|None required }}
| {{Check|None required }}
| {{Check| [https://github.com/aarmastah/agtp-csplus AGTP-CS+] {{BWTP/Pill|Translation|type=tra}}}}
|}

{{BWTP/Gold
| title = [https://forum.cavestory.one/threads/cave-story-tweaked-new-version-1-7.15164/ Doukutsu-rs]
| subtitle = [[File:IconWin.png|24px]][[File:IconLinux.png|24px]][[File:IconMacOS.png|24px]][[File:IconAndroid.png|24px]]
| cols = 1
| col1title =
| col1 =
{{Check|Fully Dynamic Screen ration/resolution/scaling (up to 4x)}}
{{Check|Multiple Soundtrack support}}
{{Check|Custom Lighting Engine (togglable)}}
{{Check|Lots of QoL settings}}
{{Dash|Must obtain assets from Freeware/CS+/Tweaked}}
}}

{{BWTP/Gold
| title = [https://forum.cavestory.one/threads/cave-story-tweaked-new-version-1-7.15164/ Cave Story: Tweaked]
| subtitle = [[File:IconWin.png|24px]][[File:IconLinux.png|24px]]
| cols = 1
| col1title =
| col1 =
{{Check|Multiple Platforms supported}}
{{Check|Widescreen}}
{{Check|Multiple Soundtrack support}}
{{Check|Lots of QoL settings}}
}}

In order to source the alternative soundtracks for Tweaked and Doukutsu-rs, you can simply drag and drop the data/Soundtracks folder. Most of these soundtracks are freely available via official sources, but some have to be ripped from copies of Cave Story+.

* {{abbr|[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bqZgZYAZFXtc8Rb2tW_5hpuit9XeD9O_ "WiiBalanced" - Yann van der Cruyssen and SoloMael]|Wii-balanced is a re-remaster of Yann van der Cruyssen's soundtrack featured on the Wiiware release of Cave Story. This Wii-balanced edit is oficially endorced by Yann on his website as the definitive version of the soundtrack.}}
* [https://gamebanana.com/sounds/52717 Arranged - DM Dokuro]
* Remastered - Danny Baranowsky and Dustin Kulwicki
* Ridiculon soundtrack - Ridiculon
* [https://www.moddb.com/mods/cave-story-famitracks-steam-mod-v-11 Famitracks - RushJet1]
* [https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5sdMd2IqCTnRUdoTEREZ0hVcDg/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-ih87CG6utguFsg11DkDCwA SNES - livvy94]

Similarly, if you want the 2x res graphics, they can be copied into the data folder. You can aquire the official graphics from CS+, or use [https://github.com/Lethrys/Cave-Story-Lethrys-Upscale Lethry's 2X texture pack]

{{BWTP/Silver
| title = [https://store.steampowered.com/app/200900/Cave_Story/ Cave Story+]
| subtitle = [[File:IconWin.png|24px]][[File:IconProton.png|24px]]
| cols = 1
| col1title =
| col1 =
{{Check|Widescreen}}
{{Check|New Lighting Engine (togglable)}}
{{Check|Extra Challenges/Boss Rush}}
{{Check|Special "holiday" texture packs for Haloween and Christmas}}
{{Dash|Requires [https://github.com/aarmastah/agtp-csplus AGTP-CS+] translation mod for best experience}}
{{Dash|Linux support is broken in current version, must use Proton}}
}}

For a {{abbr|nearly complete|The Cave Story Tribute site does not list Cave Story Engine 2 and it's forks due to the DCMA takedown of the source code issued by NiCALiS}} list of every Cave story port, [https://www.cavestory.one/download/cave-story.php check out the ports page at cavestory.one]

Cave Story

2026-06-09T21:26:05Z

Aar:

{{BWTP/Infobox
| title = Cave Story
| image = CaveStory.png
}}

Cave story has had a myriad of ports and re-releases over the years as the creator handed the source code to many people back in the mid to late 2000s before being bought by NiCALiS who released Cave Story+ on multiple platforms.

The best way to play Cave Story is split between '''Cave Story: Tweaked''', A mod of the Cave Story Decomp CSE2 with various [[QoL]], '''Doukutsu-rs''' a faithful rewrite of the engine in rust, and '''Cave Story+''' with the '''Aeon Genesis Translation Patch''' (AGTP).

{| class="wikitable bwtp-breakdown-table"
!  
! Cave Story: Tweaked
! Doukutsu-rs
! Cave Story+
|-
! Cost
| {{Check|Free}}
| {{Check|{{abbr|Free|Assets must be supplied, but freeware is free to download and drop in the folder}}}}
| {{Dash|$14.99}}
|-
! FPS
| {{Check|{{abbr|50/60fps toggle|The original Freeware release of Cave Story played at a cap of 50fps. The release of CS+ added a 60fps option. It has been ported to tweaked to allow either play speed.}} }}
| {{Check|{{abbr|50/60fps toggle|The original Freeware release of Cave Story played at a cap of 50fps. The release of CS+ added a 60fps option. It has been ported to tweaked to allow either play speed.}} }}
| {{Check|{{abbr|50/60fps toggle|The original Freeware release of Cave Story played at a cap of 50fps. The release of CS+ added a 60fps option. It has been ported to tweaked to allow either play speed.}} }}
|-
! Graphics
| {{Dash|{{abbr|1X res and fanmade 2X res included|The original 2004 freeware release of Cave Story ran at a native resolution of 320x240 pixels, similar to early second and third-generation retro video games. Cave Story+ released with a set of double-resolution 640x480 "New" graphics done in-house by Nicalis, which are considered somewhat controversial to some based on their inconsistent quality and art direction. The Switch release/2026 update further adds to this by introducing a new lighting engine.}} }}
| {{Dash|{{abbr|1X res and 2X res support (must supply assets) |The original 2004 freeware release of Cave Story ran at a native resolution of 320x240 pixels, similar to early second and third-generation retro video games. Cave Story+ released with a set of double-resolution 640x480 "New" graphics done in-house by Nicalis, which are considered somewhat controversial to some based on their inconsistent quality and art direction. The Switch release/2026 update further adds to this by introducing a new lighting engine.}} }}
| {{Dash|{{abbr|1X and official 2X res included|The original 2004 freeware release of Cave Story ran at a native resolution of 320x240 pixels, similar to early second and third-generation retro video games. Cave Story+ released with a set of double-resolution 640x480 "New" graphics done in-house by Nicalis, which are considered somewhat controversial to some based on their inconsistent quality and art direction. The Switch release/2026 update further adds to this by introducing a new lighting engine.}} }}
|-
! Resolution
| {{Check|Multiple 16:9 sizes}}
| {{Check|Fully Dynamic}}
| {{Check|Multiple 16:9 sizes}}
|-
! Lighting Engine
| {{Check|Original}}
| {{Check|{{abbr|Original + Doukutsu-rs Custom lighting Engine|Doukutsu-rs's Lighting Engine is applied over the top of the existing graphics with no additional changes, giving a more faithful look with added ambience. It also has a cone light emitting from the player (togglable)}}}}
| {{Check|{{abbr|Original + CS+ Custom Lighting Engine| CS+'s Lighting Engine changes the graphics in the walls to be darkened with a blue tint to more closely mimic other metroidvania games.}}}}
|-
! Content
| {{Dash|Base game}}
| {{Dash|Base game}}
| {{Check|{{abbr|Extra Challenges|Single level challenges unconnected to the base game}}}}
|-
! Soundtrack
| {{Check|{{abbr|Original + support for extras|The original Soundtrack is included, as well as the folder structure to drag/drop in soundtracks from other releases, as well as fan-made soundtracks.}}}}
| {{Check|{{abbr|Original + support for extras|The original Soundtrack is included, as well as the folder structure to drag/drop in soundtracks from other releases, as well as fan-made soundtracks.}}}}
| {{Check|Original + remaster, switchable}}
|-
! Translation
| {{Check|{{abbr|AGTP translation|The AGTP translation of Cave Story is considered more iconic and flows better. It has the iconic "Huzzah!" catchphrase for Balrog instead of a generic "Oh yeah!", and the line "I pray for your victory" instead of "Best of... luck...".}}}}
| {{Check|User must provide assets}}
| {{Xmark|{{abbr|NiCALiS translation|The AGTP translation of Cave Story is considered more iconic and flows better. It has the iconic "Huzzah!" catchphrase for Balrog instead of a generic "Oh yeah!", and the line "I pray for your victory" instead of "Best of... luck...".}}}}

|-
! Patches
| {{Check|None required }}
| {{Check|None required }}
| {{Check| [https://github.com/aarmastah/agtp-csplus AGTP-CS+] {{BWTP/Pill|Translation|type=tra}}}}
|}

{{BWTP/Gold
| title = [https://forum.cavestory.one/threads/cave-story-tweaked-new-version-1-7.15164/ Doukutsu-rs]
| subtitle = [[File:IconWin.png|24px]][[File:IconLinux.png|24px]][[File:IconMacOS.png|24px]][[File:IconAndroid.png|24px]]
| cols = 1
| col1title =
| col1 =
{{Check|Fully Dynamic Screen ration/resolution/scaling (up to 4x)}}
{{Check|Multiple Soundtrack support}}
{{Check|Custom Lighting Engine (togglable)}}
{{Check|Lots of QoL settings}}
{{Dash|Must obtain assets from Freeware/CS+/Tweaked}}
}}

{{BWTP/Gold
| title = [https://forum.cavestory.one/threads/cave-story-tweaked-new-version-1-7.15164/ Cave Story: Tweaked]
| subtitle = [[File:IconWin.png|24px]][[File:IconLinux.png|24px]]
| cols = 1
| col1title =
| col1 =
{{Check|Multiple Platforms supported}}
{{Check|Widescreen}}
{{Check|Multiple Soundtrack support}}
{{Check|Lots of QoL settings}}
}}

In order to source the alternative soundtracks for Tweaked and Doukutsu-rs, you can simply drag and drop the data/Soundtracks folder. Most of these soundtracks are freely available via official sources, but some have to be ripped from copies of Cave Story+.

* {{abbr|[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bqZgZYAZFXtc8Rb2tW_5hpuit9XeD9O_ "WiiBalanced" - Yann van der Cruyssen and SoloMael]|Wii-balanced is a re-remaster of Yann van der Cruyssen's soundtrack featured on the Wiiware release of Cave Story. This Wii-balanced edit is oficially endorced by Yann on his website as the definitive version of the soundtrack.}}
* [https://gamebanana.com/sounds/52717 Arranged - DM Dokuro]
* Remastered - Danny Baranowsky and Dustin Kulwicki
* Ridiculon soundtrack - Ridiculon
* [https://www.moddb.com/mods/cave-story-famitracks-steam-mod-v-11 Famitracks - RushJet1]
* [https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5sdMd2IqCTnRUdoTEREZ0hVcDg/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-ih87CG6utguFsg11DkDCwA SNES - livvy94]

Similarly, if you want the 2x res graphics, they can be copied into the data folder. You can aquire the official graphics from CS+, or use [https://github.com/Lethrys/Cave-Story-Lethrys-Upscale Lethry's 2X texture pack]

{{BWTP/Silver
| title = [https://store.steampowered.com/app/200900/Cave_Story/ Cave Story+]
| subtitle = [[File:IconWin.png|24px]][[File:IconProton.png|24px]]
| cols = 1
| col1title =
| col1 =
{{Check|Widescreen}}
{{Check|New Lighting Engine (togglable)}}
{{Check|Extra Challenges/Boss Rush}}
{{Check|Special "holiday" texture packs for Haloween and Christmas}}
{{Dash|Requires [https://github.com/aarmastah/agtp-csplus AGTP-CS+] translation mod for best experience}}
{{Dash|Linux support is broken in current version, must use Proton}}
}}

For a {{abbr|nearly complete|The Cave Story Tribute site does not list Cave Story Engine 2 and it's forks due to the DCMA takedown of the source code issued by NiCALiS}} list of every Cave story port, [https://www.cavestory.one/download/cave-story.php check out the ports page at cavestory.one]

Cave Story

2026-05-17T19:54:23Z

Aar:

Cave Story

2026-05-17T19:53:13Z

Aar:

Cave Story

2026-05-17T19:45:14Z

Aar: