Cuphead, the 2D scrolling run-and-gun video game has made its physical edition debut for the Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, and Xbox One; and has brought its 1930’s cartoon style with it!

Cuphead was first released digitally on Sept. 29th, 2017 by Studio MDHR, created by Chad and Jared Moldenhauer. With a list that can go on forever, Cuphead captured its audience with its superb character design, art style, energetic soundtrack, and excruciating difficulty. Cuphead would go on to become a commercial success by selling two million copies within its first two weeks of release.

Since then, Cuphead has continued to dominate the gaming industry by winning awards left and right. Studio MDHR has taken advantage of this non-stopping success train by going on to release a DLC expansion entitled Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course, which was released on June 30th of 2022. That same year, a Netflix animated series, The Cuphead Show! would be available to stream. This animated series takes place in a similar universe to Cuphead and currently has three seasons.

Standard Physical Edition

Five years later, with no sign of slowing down, Cuphead has made its very first debut as a physical video game on select consoles. A collectors edition, as well as a standard edition, are two variations of the physical edition. The standard edition was released to retailers on December 6th, 2022, and comes with four bonus items that were not included in the original digital release. The standard physical edition retails for $39.99 USD.

• Delicious Last Course Expansion 
• 6 Collectible Cuphead Funnies Cards
• Cuphead Club Membership Card
• Exclusive Interior Art by Studio MDHR

Cuphead Collector’s Edition

The Cuphead Collector’s edition is exclusive to the creative production company iam8bit and is currently available to be pre-ordered with an expected ship date in the first Quarter of 2023. The collector’s edition is packed with everything that the standard physical edition comes with but is also full of fun surprises. The Cuphead Collector’s edition can be pre-ordered for $199.99 USD. 

• An ~8” Tall Handcrafted Cuphead Marionette- Fully Puppetable, Crafted by the Artisans at Rici Marionettes in Prague.
• Mechanical, Hand-Crank Music Box. 
• Foldout Inkwell Isles Poster
• Sleeve for the Physical Game Case
• Transforming Outer Box Featuring an Asbestos Safety Curtain
• Delicious Last Course Expansion 
• 6 Collectible Cuphead Funnies Cards
• Cuphead Club Membership Card
• Exclusive Interior Art by Studio MDHR

A Great Slam and Then Some!

What are your thoughts on the different physical editions? Planning on splurging on the standard or the collector’s edition? Let us know in the comments!

It’s a bold experiment, and one that represents a major shift in Nintendo’s priorities. Just three years ago, president and CEO Satoru Iwata downplayed the importance of add-on content. Even more surprising, however, has been gamers’ reaction to the news. Downloadable content — or “DLC” — usually gets a pretty negative reaction from the gaming community. This time, though? People are thrilled.

So, what’s Nintendo doing so right? For one, pricing. For the cost of a matinee movie ticket, Mario Kart’s first DLC pack introduces eight tracks, three racers, and three new karts. This isn’t Oblivion’s horse armor or Far Cry 4’s yak farm. While the new content won’t fundamentally change Mario Kart 8, it’ll add a few hours’ worth of gameplay to an already strong title. All in all, it’s a pretty good value.

A bigger issue, however, is trust. Gamers often accuse publishers of cutting content from the main game and selling it later. In most cases, these claims are debatable, but they’re not without precedent. Assassin’s Creed 2, for example, relegated significant chunks of the main plot to DLC. Fans who wanted the “full” story had to pay extra.

Publishers have gotten more sensitive about this practice, but it’s still an issue. Despite billing itself as a complete and accurate simulation of WWE’s television product, WWE 2k15 locks popular moves and characters, including the former Divas’ champion Paige, behind a $25 “season pass.” When hackers discovered assets from Destiny’s upcoming DLC packaged with the base game, it fueled perceptions that gamers were being charged for something they already owned.

By contrast, Mario Kart 8 ships with a full roster and the 32 tracks traditionally included in new installments. For all intents and purposes, Mario Kart 8 already stands on its own as a complete, traditional Mario Kart experience. Instead of filling in gaps, the additional content pushes the game in a new, compelling direction by including characters and settings from non-Mario franchises. Further, Mario Kart’s DLC packs are entirely optional; they won’t provide players with any kind of competitive advantage, and they’ll only be usable online if everyone in the group owns them.

Ironically, Nintendo’s reluctance to engage with DLC is probably what earned them this trust in the first place. Not only were the company’s first pieces of downloadable content (mostly special-edition Pokémon) totally free, but many were only available for a limited period of time. Nintendo’s shown no indication of ever offering these items again, even though many gamers would be willing to pay for them. Instead of squeezing consumers for extra cash, the company’s leaving money on the table.

It’s a history that sends gamers a clear message: Nintendo’s on your side. As a result, the Mario Kart DLC simply isn’t subject being greeted with the skepticism that mars similar efforts. If Nintendo really is banking on add-on content to keep the Wii U relevant, that trust is something they’ll need to maintain. Thankfully for them, they’re off to a pretty good start.

The newest patch for indie space shooter Ring Runner: Flight of the Sages (Reviewed here) includes the promised MOBA-style multiplayer mode Space Defense League. Since it is bundled with a patch, this means that it is a free update for anyone who already owns the game. An explanation and some gameplay footage can be found here.

It looks like a really fun take on the Dota-like lane-pushers that everyone is throwing at us these days. The biggest difference between this and, say, League of Legends, is the fact that it is a space shooter with Newtonian physics and fully-customizable ships. So, instead of picking pre-determined heroes like in most of these games, you’ll be using ships that you’ve constructed with parts you acquired in the campaign or other multiplayer modes.

Ring Runner can be purchased for $10 from just about every digital distributor besides Steam, where it is still waiting to be Greenlit. If MOBA-like multiplayer isn’t your thing, the game also has a solid 20+ hour campaign to play through, as well as a number of more traditional multiplayer modes.

Craving some more Assassin’s Creed? Ubisoft has officially announced the DLC Assassin’s Creed III: The Battle Hardened Pack is available for PS3 and Xbox 360. The 1-player add-on lets you explore as either of three new characters with new maps and bonus items. Play as the influential Governor, the resilient Highlander or the fearsome Coyote Man. In ‘Hardened,’ you’ll journey through Charlestown, Fort St-Mathieu and Saint Pierre. Assassin’s Creed III: The Battle Hardened Pack costs $10 (or 800 MS Points) but free for Season Pass owners. The DLC is rated “M” (17+) for intense violence, sexual themes, and strong language.

Other Add-Ons and packs for Assassin’s Creed III include:

• Assassin’s Creed III – Language Pack Brazilian Portuguese
• Assassin’s Creed III The Hidden Secrets Pack
• Assassin’s Creed III Season Pass
• Assassin’s Creed III Benedict Arnold