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Cuphead
Critics Consensus (Play It)
Cuphead is a demanding, but supremely rewarding, modern 2D shooter that is a stunning work of imagination on every level.
Game Info
Cuphead is a classic run and gun action game heavily focused on boss battles. Inspired by cartoons of the 1930s, the visuals and audio are painstakingly created with the same techniques of the era, i.e. traditional cel animation (hand drawn & hand inked!), watercolor backgrounds, and original jazz recordings. Play as Cuphead or Mugman (in single player or co-op) as you traverse strange worlds, acquire new weapons, learn powerful super moves, and discover hidden secrets. Cuphead is all action, all the time.
0%
Recommended
0%
Average Score
Total Reviews: 132
Best Action Game (2017), Nom: GOTY + Best Platformer (2017), Editors' Choice
Gold TIER
41% of scored reviews fell within the range of 86 to 92 / 100
RELEASE DATES:
GENRES:
- Action, Platformer
DEVELOPER(S):
- Studio MDHR
PUBLISHER(S):
- Studio MDHR
SERIES/FRANCHISE:
- n/a
GAME MODES:
- Co-operative, Multiplayer, Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- Unity
Where to Play
WHERE TO PLAY
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RATING & REVIEWS
Ratings & Reviews
132
Critic Reviews
89
Average Critic Score
Where to Play
CRITIC REVIEWS
All reviews are from professional critics. Learn more about the critics VSG aggregates.
High Score
100%
Median Score
90%
Low Score
60%
What did you think of Cuphead?
Player Reviews0 Votes
0
Chris Schilling (PC Gamer)
October 2, 2017
86/100
Not just for the masochists, Cuphead is a demanding but supremely rewarding modern 2D shooter that looks and sounds fantastic.
Simon Parkin (Eurogamer)
October 2, 2017
Recommended
A brutal game that’s equal parts frustrating and exhilarating, delivered in the mesmerising style of a prohibition-era cartoon.
Lucas Sullivan (GamesRadar+)
September 29, 2017
5/5 stars
A potent cocktail of authentic 1930s aesthetics, jazzy tunes, ingenious boss designs, and gameplay founded on the fundamentals inherent to the best 2D shooters. Cuphead sure is swell.
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Score Ranges
Read the Reviews (132 total)
| Outlet | Author | Score | Date | Quote | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3DNews | Иван Бышонкoв | 9 / 10 | 10-10-2017 | Cuphead faced real risk of being stuck in development limbo, but after seven years it emerged as one of the most visually impressive and addictive boss battle platformers. Extremely good and captivating gameplay wrapped up in gorgeous 30’s cartoons-styled visuals – you just can’t resist this combo. | Read review |
| ACG | Jeremy Penter | Recommended | 09-29-2017 | One of the best titles in the genre for a long long time. | Read review |
| Areajugones | Javi Mañas | 10 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | Cuphead is a true piece of art of the modern day videogame. The game has lived up to the expectations and it is full with detail and quality in every aspect. From its soundtrack to its wonderful design, Studio MDHR has achieved the glory with this masterpiece. | Read review |
| Ars Technica | Kyle Orland | Recommended | 09-29-2017 | Those with a high tolerance for repeating difficult 2D shooting challenges should buy it. Everyone else should try it in Simple mode or just by watching on YouTube. | Read review |
| Atomix | Pamela Lima | 90 / 100 | 09-29-2017 | Cuphead has an amazing and incredible art style that’s not jus breathtaking, but also a gameplay that’s going to test your skills. Even though some may find it beyond its skill’s reach, if you’re looking for a challenge this is exactly the game you should pick. | Read review |
| Attack of the Fanboy | William Schwartz | 5 / 5 stars | 09-29-2017 | If you’re up for a challenge and a feast for the eyes and ears, Cuphead should not be overlooked. | Read review |
| AusGamers | Steve Farrelly | 9 / 10 | 10-05-2017 | The art is something the videogaming landscape has never seen before and is, arguably, worth the price of admission alone. But we come for the art, and stay for the challenge. And boy, does Cuphead have challenge in spades. | Read review |
| BaziCenter | Milad Deh Dashti | 9 / 10 | 10-19-2017 | It’s safe to say that the Nintendo Switch version of Cuphead is the best among all others, and obviously because of the Switch’s portable capabilities which made the gameplay experience twice as fun. Cuphead is definitely one the best titles ever made for Switch and worth every penny and every second of your money and time. | Read review |
| Bazimag | Hamidreza Ghaneei | 10 / 10 | 09-10-2017 | Cuphead is a mixture of pure art and creativity which is the result of Moldenhauer Brothers’ risk-taking and twenty-four-hour effort of MDHR studio members. A title that takes us back to the sweet world of 1930s cartoons. However, this time it’s different; we can control its characters. A combination of eye-catching drawings, fast and rhythmic jazz music and speedy and challenging gameplay makes Cuphead an exceptional title that is one-of-a-kind! | Read review |
| Cerealkillerz | Gabriel Bogdan | 9 / 10 | 09-28-2017 | Cuphead is the next must-have title for the Xbox One. The Animation and Soundtrack are unique and even with couch co-coop the gameplay mechanics and balancing works solid through the whole game. The side activities of the game are pretty repetitive and also the upgrade system could use a little do-over but besides that every Gamer should have this game in his/her library. | Read review |
| CGMagazine | Melanie Emile | 9 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | As it stands, Cuphead is a great addition to the Switch library, it’s also a game that just feels right at home on a Nintendo platform, thanks to its colourful aesthetics and old-school difficulty. | Read review |
| Chalgyr’s Game Room | Nick Herber | 8.5 / 10 | 10-11-2017 | Cuphead is a throwback in almost every sense of the word. Visually it hearkens back to an old art style that remains fascinating today. Beyond its incredible visuals however, Cuphead is a tough-as-nails action platformer that reminded me of my classic platforming days where memorizing boss patterns and learning the lay of the land were essential for victory. | Read review |
| Checkpoint Gaming | Luke Mitchell | Recommended | 10-02-2017 | Normally when a game is this tough it can be off-putting, but the combination of intense difficulty and the skill required to learn each pattern is incredibly satisfying. It’s a fine balance that Cuphead is able to achieve with every single boss you’ll encounter, and even when you’re feeling frustrated, the brilliant soundtrack and completely unique art direction will keep you smiling with every new attempt. The standard for combining style and substance in this genre has well and truly been set. | Read review |
| COGconnected | Jason Fanelli | 90 / 100 | 10-04-2017 | If you’re a fan of old-school animation or like to be challenged, or even both, then check out this one of a kind gem. | Read review |
| Critical Hit | Geoffrey Tim | 8.5 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | If you love those old-school games that rewards practice and patience through trial and error, Cuphead will likely delight. Yes, Cuphead is brutal and death is a regular occurrence, but it packs in that old-schoool arcade ethos that makes you want to keep trying. | Read review |
| Cubed3 | Albert Lichi | 9 / 10 | 10-09-2017 | With some of the best designed boss fights this generation, a beautifully rich animation style, and impeccably fine-tuned controls, Cuphead stands out as not only one of the best indie titles on the Nintendo Switch, but one of strongest releases this generation, period | Read review |
| Cultured Vultures | Ashley Bates | 8.5 / 10 | 10-09-2017 | We’ve been waiting years for Cuphead, and it’s been totally worth it. Some issues with the run and gun levels do dampen the overall experience, but not to any significant degree. Cuphead is challenging, exciting and most importantly, enjoyable. | Read review |
| Daily Dot | AJ Moser | 4 / 5 stars | 09-29-2017 | Some of the mechanics and gameplay tropes will be familiar to anyone who has played modern indie platformers, but the unique quirks presented here are among the best in recent memory. | Read review |
| Daily Mirror | JC Suttun | 5 / 5 stars | 09-29-2017 | It’s not reinventing the wheel, but underneath Cupheads’s gleeful and gorgeous cartoonish exterior lies an addictive and fierce adventure delivering a level of challenge that, much like the game’s gambling Devil, convinces you to have another roll of the dice and see how far you can make it. | Read review |
| Daily Star | Jonny Foster | 4 / 5 stars | 04-17-2019 | Cuphead] feels right at home on the Switch, though Joy-Con latency issues meant that handheld play was a more enjoyable experience than docked mode. | Read review |
| Destructoid | Brett Makedonski | 9.5 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | Cuphead’s incredible style belies its magical complexity. It’s so much more than a hard-as-hell shoot-’em-up with artistic flair. It’s cerebral in a way that these kind of games rarely are. Cuphead’s commitment to forcing the player to understand is commendable. Those who don’t have the patience to learn won’t get far. That’s the kind of stand-your-ground moxie that makes this a hallmark of game design. My praise runneth over. | Read review |
| Digiato | Shayan Ziaei | 85 / 100 | 10-14-2017 | Cuphead is a masterpiece that surely we won’t see anything like it for years to come. But I don’t think the difficulties of the gameplay is worth of losing a large part of the community. | Read review |
| Digital Chumps | Benjamine Branscum | 10 / 10 | 08-12-2020 | It’s a game that will make your life a living hell but in a way that’s addicting and forever challenging. Cuphead is a damn good time. | Read review |
| DualShockers | Ryan Meitzler | 9 / 10 | 10-03-2017 | But on a technical and artistic level, Cuphead is a stunning achievement in both gaming and interactive art, and unlike anything I’ve ever played before. Some of the game’s levels had me on the edge of sanity trying to best them, and I ended Cuphead with a few sore spots on my thumbs because of it. More importantly though, I had a smile on my face the whole time through it all. | Read review |
| Easy Allies | Brad Ellis | 4.5 / 5 stars | 10-09-2017 | Video Review | Read review |
| EGM | Ray Carsillo | 9.5 / 10 | 10-04-2017 | Cuphead is an addictive mix of fun and frustration that will constantly keep you coming back for more. It’s amazing combination of terrific gameplay, tremendous style, and an original concept immediately catapults it into every game of the year discussion. | Read review |
| Eurogamer | Simon Parkin | Recommended | 10-02-2017 | A brutal game that’s equal parts frustrating and exhilarating, delivered in the mesmerising style of a prohibition-era cartoon. | Read review |
| Everyeye.it | Marco Mottura | 9.3 / 10 | 10-02-2017 | From Canada comes the brightest new indie superstar: a magnificent run and gun shooter, a mausoleum of pure gameplay, an ode to boundless creativity. Visually, Studio MDHR’s debut title is not only one of the most impressive games ever created, but it’s also a true instant classic, one that could look the masters of the genre straight in the eye. It’s spelled Cuphead, it reads masterpiece. | Read review |
| FNintendo | Pedro Mesquita | 10 / 10 | 04-17-2019 | Cuphead’s arrival on the Nintendo Switch is a marvelous gift to players. The game’s amazingly fluid action fits perfectly and without any downgrades on Nintendo’s system and allows the whole experience to be replicated whether on a television screen or on the go. A shiny diamond of a game that every owner of a Nintendo Switch should get their hands on. | Read review |
| Game Informer | Jeff Cork | 8 / 10 | 10-02-2017 | Cuphead’s friendly exterior masks a game that denies all but the most persistent players its many rewards. Those who stick with it will have a great (and frustrating) time | Read review |
| Game Rant | John Jacques | 4.5 / 5 stars | 10-02-2017 | Cuphead delivers a carefully curated balance of gorgeous hand-drawn visuals and unforgiving gameplay. This heavily stylized title is an instant classic. | Read review |
| Game Revolution | Michael Leri | 5 / 5 stars | 07-30-2020 | Everything about Cuphead just feels right, even all these months after its original release. As it stands right now, this game is nearly flawless in its own right, thanks to its responsive controls and signature style. | Read review |
| Gameblog | Thomas Pillon | 9 / 10 | 10-02-2017 | If you own a Switch and demanding run’n’gun games are your thing, then you need to buy Cuphead as soon as you can. | Read review |
| GameCrate | Angelo D’Argenio | 9.3 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | Cuphead is one of the most innovative and interesting games to come out of the indie space in the past few years. It was well worth the wait and will please anyone who likes a good challenge. | Read review |
| Gamefa | Amirhossein Dehnavi | 9.5 / 10 | 10-07-2017 | Cuphead can easily be called the most unique and solitary game of the year. From the very beginning of the game, you fall in love with its unique design style and coloring. The combination of the gameplay and the music tracks are so strong that even if you play it for hours you don’t get tired of Cuphead and it seems that you can’t get enough of it. The details in this game are magnificent and they totally worth the long wait for the game. By paying 1/3 of the price of an AAA game, Cuphead gives you a more fun and delightful experience and it can keep you entertained for hours. Then what are you waiting for? Grab your controllers and invite a friend. Cuphead is one of those game that you just have to play! | Read review |
| GameGrin | Tyler Schurwan | 9.5 / 10 | 10-16-2017 | Although I speak very highly of Cuphead, I do think the game can be a little too unforgiving in enemy attack patterns and their ability to hit from offscreen without much warning. Regardless, the game’s tight controls, fun boss fights, and pleasing aesthetic make it a must have. | Read review |
| GameMAG | KOZIK | 9 / 10 | 10-22-2017 | Cuphead is the best reincarnation of Contra and Megaman, which one could only imagine. And given that this is the studio’s debut project, we can’t help wondering if StudioMDHR Entertainment is involved in the deal with the Devil … | Read review |
| Gameplanet | Chris Brown | 9 / 10 | 10-06-2017 | Frustration and reward go hand-in-hand in Cuphead. Your fingers will feel the pain of extended play sessions, but your face will be fixed in a fierce (albeit slightly pained) grin. | Read review |
| GamePro | Linda Sprenger | 86 / 100 | 10-05-2017 | Very hard Jump & Run with a wonderful cartoon look that requires a lot of patience, but in the the end is rewarding very richly. | Read review |
| Gamerheadquarters | Jason Stettner | 8.5 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | Cuphead is excellent, it’s got the right amount of challenge and charming design to make this completely stand out. | Read review |
| GameSkinny | Ashley Gill | 9 / 10 | 09-30-2017 | Cuphead’s visuals will draw in everyone and their grandmother, but its difficulty will grind them to cup-dust. | Read review |
| GameSpew | Richard Seagrave | 7.5 / 10 | 04-23-2019 | Like a fine whiskey, Cuphead is a game best enjoyed in small shots rather than trying to neck the bottle in one. The former will simply make you jolly. The latter will probably leave you a gibbering wreck. | Read review |
| GameSpot | Peter Brown | 8 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | Cuphead has been a longtime coming, and it’s great to see that it lives up to its initial promises. | Read review |
| GamesRadar+ | Lucas Sullivan | 5 / 5 stars | 09-29-2017 | A potent cocktail of authentic 1930s aesthetics, jazzy tunes, ingenious boss designs, and gameplay founded on the fundamentals inherent to the best 2D shooters. Cuphead sure is swell. | Read review |
| GameWatcher | Josh Brown | 9 / 10 | 10-02-2017 | In an age where punishing difficulty is finally yearned for again, Cuphead is a worthy title to the list of the best ways to test your gaming mettle. | Read review |
| GameXplain | GameXplain | Recommended | 04-18-2019 | Video Review | Read review |
| GamingBolt | Ravi Sinha | 9 / 10 | 10-02-2017 | Cuphead is simply fantastic, mixing a top-notch, visually unique art-style with great gameplay. The challenge might turn some people but the entire experience is definitely recommended for platforming fans. | Read review |
| GamingTrend | Mike Dunn | 100 / 100 | 10-11-2017 | Every once in awhile a game comes along that inevitably inspires a new generation of gamers, artists, and designers, an inflection point that imprints itself on the genetics of the medium and help up as a gold standard for years to come. Cuphead is one such game, a quirky assemblage of novelties that comes together in a breathtaking fashion, with a charming exterior that belies one of the most challenging games of this generation. | Read review |
| GBAtemp | Pranavsingh Dhunnoo | 8.3 / 10 | 10-15-2017 | Cuphead truly stands out as a unique video game, an audio-visual delight and as an appropriate ode to an era of cinematography long gone. | Read review |
| GearNuke | Muhammad Ali Bari | 8.5 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | Cuphead will draw you in with its undeniable allure, but whether it will keep you hooked depends on your tolerance to the trial-and-error design philosophy. There’s a cruel game hidden beneath the charming aesthetic, one that is equally rewarding upon triumph. | Read review |
| Geeks Under Grace | Maurice Pogue | 9.5 / 10 | 10-16-2017 | StudioMDHR Entertainment could not further increase the quality of Cuphead if they resurrected Walt Disney and had him pencil the animations himself, or have Bach compose the OST. The game is that gosh-darn good. | Read review |
| Generación Xbox | Elodie Mellado | 9.5 / 10 | 09-28-2017 | Cuphead is the marvel we’ve been looking for. A tittle that surpases all the expectations, one of the best games of this 2017, and definitily, the most beautiful. The wait has been worth it. Cuphead is here. And it’s big. Really big. Deal with the devil. | Read review |
| Giant Bomb | Ben Pack | 5 / 5 stars | 10-12-2017 | Come for the beautiful art, stay because you smashed all your controllers. | Read review |
| God is a Geek | Adam Cook | 8 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | A stunning visual feast that belies an intense level of difficulty. Cuphead won’t be for everyone, but it’s still a very good game. | Read review |
| GotGame | Kieran Toovey | 10 / 10 | 07-31-2020 | Ultimately, Cuphead was a masterpiece when it originally released years ago and it still holds that position today. And with the upcoming “The Delicious Last Course” DLC set to add another playable character, levels, and bosses, more greatness could be on the horizon. The difficulty might rule some out, but this is a game that should be experienced by all. | Read review |
| Guardian | Sam White | 4 / 5 stars | 10-09-2017 | This meticulously crafted title is more than just an ode to the golden age of animation – it’s a punishing yet moreish game that’s not for the faint-hearted | Read review |
| Hardcore Gamer | Jordan Helm | 4.5 / 5 stars | 10-03-2017 | And yet, while there will likely be times where it seems like the game has cheated you out of a successful parry or likewise isn’t sure what counts as a hit or not, it goes without saying that for a studio that had to remortgage just to finish it, what Studio MDHR have crafted here over the course of three years is a special, once-in-a-generation type of game. | Read review |
| Hobby Consolas | Daniel Quesada | 92 / 100 | 09-29-2017 | Cuphead’s Switch port is, let’s put this simple, BRILLIANT: it mantains the wonderful graphics of the Xbox One/PC version, with no sacrifices, and most important, all that made it a special game (coop, high difficulty level…). It also adds little improvements, like character selection or spanish translation, that rise the bar even a little more. | Read review |
| IGN | Joe Skrebels | 8.8 / 10 | 10-02-2017 | Cuphead made me feel more good and more bad than any other game I’ve played in the last several years. I swore, laughed, and hollered with delight. I hated it (and my own fingers) for long stretches but, having finished, I realise that’s more or less the point – I emerged from all that pain smiling. Rather than simply offering the player what they want, Cuphead makes them earn that right – the rewards, if you can hack the tests, are absolutely worth it. Cuphead is incredible for more than just its looks. But before you dive in, make sure you actually want a game that plays like this, and not just a game that looks like this. | Read review |
| IGN Italy | Mattia Ravanelli | 8 / 10 | 10-04-2017 | Cuphead is a stunning game. And a cruel one. You have to find out if it’s more entertaining or frustrating, and that’s not an easy task. | Read review |
| IGN Middle East | Nick Rego | 8.5 / 10 | 10-12-2017 | Cuphead looks great visually and musically, and will be a great test of your patience as well as your platform skills. There are some loots you can win if you have the patience to do that, but even without it you can still enjoy your time in the game. It’s a game that makes you feel triumphant when you finish a battle for leaders, and it’s a game that will punish you hard if you do not watch well what’s happening on the screen. | Read review |
| IGN Spain | Juan García | 9 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | An outstanding and hard game that is as awesome on Nintendo Switch as it was on other platforms. | Read review |
| Impulsegamer | Tony Smith | 4.3 / 5 stars | 10-01-2017 | Cuphead is a crazy ride into the minds of Studio MDHR and if you’re looking for something very diverse, check this out on the Xbox One because you’ll be surprised at how addictive, frustrating and entertaining this game is. It takes the classic side-scrolling shooters of yesterday and transforms it into a game of today with some beautiful art and music inspired from a simpler time. | Read review |
| Jump Dash Roll | Matt Jordan | 9 / 10 | 08-04-2020 | Although unchanged since 2017, thankfully Cuphead’s unique strengths have not been dulled by time. This long awaited PS4 port deserves to find a new audience with its charming character designs and frantic onscreen action. | Read review |
| Just Push Start | Mark Fajardo | 4.45 / 5 stars | 07-29-2020 | Seemingly simple gameplay and delightful art aside, Cuphead manages to balance challenge and difficulty fairly well. | Read review |
| KnowTechie | Jonathan White | 8 / 10 | 10-09-2017 | Cuphead’s biggest enemy isn’t the Devil, it’s RNGesus. | Read review |
| Kotaku | Heather Alexandra | Recommended | 10-03-2017 | It’s delightful and fun and worth the effort it’ll take to clear. | Read review |
| Leadergamer | Alper Dalan | 9 / 10 | 09-30-2017 | Gotta take all souls outta ’em! | Read review |
| LevelUp | Daniel Dehesa | 9 / 10 | 10-03-2017 | Every detail in Cuphead speaks of the love its creators have for perfectionism, from the beautiful visuals to the refined gameplay mechanics. The commitment of Studio MDHR goes beyond a tribute to classic 30s cartoons, it pays homage to the best platforming in videogames and feeds the hunger of those who pursue a genuine challenge. | Read review |
| M3 | Andréas Göransson | 9 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | Cuphead is hard as hell, and gorgeous looking. A fantastic platformer, that reminds us of just how good this genre was back in the days. | Read review |
| Marooners’ Rock | Mike Robles | 8.8 / 10 | 09-30-2017 | At only $20, this game is an absolute gem. We have seen some new platformers come out that attempt to capture the retro feel using 8-bit graphics, but StudioMDHR take it to a whole new level with Cuphead. | Read review |
| Metro GameCentral | GameCentral | 8 / 10 | 07-30-2020 | One of the best 2D shooters of the modern era is also one of the most visually distinctive games of the whole generation, and a stunning work of imagination on every level. | Read review |
| MonsterVine | Spencer Legacy | 4.5 / 5 stars | 10-11-2017 | Cuphead is a thrilling test of skill and reflex that plays as wonderfully as it looks. | Read review |
| Nerd Much? | Bobby Bernstein | 8.6 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | Cuphead is a brilliant little game that is unique right down to its core, with a (mostly) welcomed challenge and beautiful aesthetics. | Read review |
| New Game Network | Josh Hinke | 82 / 100 | 10-08-2017 | It may not be the deepest experience around, but in terms of pure gameplay quality, Cuphead is a must-play for those seeking a challenge thanks to excellent controls and a unique visual presentation. | Read review |
| Nexus | Douw Pretorious | 9 / 10 | 10-01-2017 | Overall Cuphead has managed to live up to the hype that chased the game all through its lengthy development. The game has a character all of its own that bleeds out of every nook and cranny while it tests the limits of your perseverance against a wonderful gallery of enemies. | Read review |
| Niche Gamer | Brandon Orselli | 10 / 10 | 10-03-2017 | The game is a masterpiece of style, presentation, gameplay, and ultimately overall design – all of it comes together in an absolutely brilliant package that I haven’t experienced often at all in my entire lifetime. | Read review |
| Nintendo Enthusiast | Brett Medlock | 9.5 / 10 | 04-21-2019 | Here at Nintendo Enthusiast, we are covering the latest Nintendo titles in written and video format. If you’re more interested in video content you can check out our official YouTube channel here. We’re constantly putting out interesting features and opinion pieces that may interest you. Head over to our home screen and see if anything catches your eye | Read review |
| Nintendo Life | Chris Scullion | 9 / 10 | 04-18-2019 | Cuphead was an absolute masterpiece when it launched on Xbox 18 months ago and nothing has been sacrificed in its move to the Switch. It’s the same visually jaw-dropping, aurally delightful, knuckle-whiteningly difficult game it was on Microsoft’s console and the Switch’s library is all the better for its presence. Its focus on intense boss battles won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but as long as you know what you’re getting yourself into we can’t recommend it enough. | Read review |
| Nintendo Wire | Ricky Berg | 9 / 10 | 04-18-2019 | If it isn’t already abundantly clear, Cuphead is an achievement of a game both for its inspired and delightful presentation and the refreshing difficulty of its cavalcade of characters, making this a swell shakedown from start to finish. | Read review |
| NintendoWorldReport | Neal Ronaghan | 8.5 / 10 | 04-18-2019 | Challenge is prevalent, but with lovely visuals and sound coupled with a well-crafted, though still terse, difficulty curve, this is an adventure worth working your way through. My only real qualms are with the controllers on the Switch and some frustration found in the late-game bosses. This is a gem of an addition to the Switch library. | Read review |
| NoesPaisparaFrikis | Oscar Garcia Mompean | 9.4 / 10 | 05-06-2019 | CUPHEAD is a game designed as before for players who are looking for challenges like the ones before, what do they want someone to rescue them from that comfortable self-aligning chair and automatic jumps in which they have submerged us. | Read review |
| NZGamer | Reagan Morris | 8.7 / 10 | 10-10-2017 | Reagan received a digital copy of Cuphead from Microsoft for review. | Read review |
| OnlySP | DJ Arruda | 5 / 5 stars | 10-17-2017 | A deal with the Devil starts the story of Cuphead, and at times the gameplay can make the player feel as if they are in hell, yet the graphics speak to a time long past, revitalized by Studio MDHR. While the future of the title seemed uncertain at times, and the decision to go beyond a simple litany of boss battles to more of a true platformer in 2015 pushed the developers to their limits, the end result has truly taken the industry by storm. Those gamers who were smitten by the title at first sight and have waited years to see the release as well as those who have heard of the game by word of mouth or simple happy accidents should all be impressed and pleased with this result. Inherently difficult games can lose players if the rest of the production also falls flat, but no such problem can be found here. A simple narrative premise and the quintessential “easy to learn, hard to master” gameplay find a happy marriage, tied together by rich visuals and a snappy soundtrack that make every minute in the game unique. No shame should be felt in restarting levels countless times, or needing to take a breath before going on. Cuphead was not made in a day. Thus, players need not finish in one. In fact, the title is best taken in small doses, in sections and boss fights, simmering and sipped like a fine meal made by a very fine chef. The magic of the title is to be appreciated, not rushed through, and all the elements combine for an experience long in the making that will remain in the mind as fondly as the era that players are transported to when a cup makes a deal with the Devil and a soul is on the line. | Read review |
| Oyungezer Online | Nurettin Tan | 9 / 10 | 10-13-2017 | Fun and nerve racking; suffocating yet riveting. If you can hold off on eating your gamepad thanks to the difficulty, you will enjoy this a lot. | Read review |
| Pardis Game | Parham Aghakhani | 9 / 10 | 10-09-2017 | The long wait for Cuphead was really worth it. Its great graphics and fantastic soundtrack are fully reminiscent of early 20th century animations and especially Disney & Max Fleischer cartoons. The gameplay, while being hard & not pulling any punches, is very satisfying and its few problems do not diminish its total value. | Read review |
| Paste Magazine | Holly Green | 8 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | Ultimately the game provides too much nostalgic satisfaction for me to be upset by its conventions, no matter how punishing or familiar they may be. Style may not always offer substance, but in the case of Cuphead, I’m satisfied. | Read review |
| PC Gamer | Chris Schilling | 86 / 100 | 10-02-2017 | Not just for the masochists, Cuphead is a demanding but supremely rewarding modern 2D shooter that looks and sounds fantastic. | Read review |
| PCMag | Gabriel Zamora | 4 / 5 stars | 10-18-2017 | Cuphead pays homage to old school animation, as well as side-scrolling video game shooters of old. While it lacks the stage-heavy mayhem of other games in the genre, Cuphead more than makes up for it with its vicious boss battles. | Read review |
| Player2.net.au | Stephen del Prado | Recommended | 10-04-2017 | Cuphead is a delightful experience that won’t endear itself to all but its visuals will win over many who might otherwise avoid the run and gun genre | Read review |
| PlayStation LifeStyle | Chandler Wood | 9 / 10 | 08-05-2020 | Cuphead perfectly balances it’s simple nature, difficult mechanics, and audiovisual style for a game that’s rather unmatched. It’s a work of creative genius that allows the player to feel a sense of accomplishment through learning to overcome tough boss mechanics, and the cartoon visuals and big personalities of each keep them entertaining throughout repeated play. There’s simply nothing else like Cuphead, and even three years after its initial Xbox release, it deserves to be experienced by the PlayStation crowd who may have missed out the first time around. | Read review |
| PlayStation Universe | John-Paul Jones | 9.5 / 10 | 07-29-2020 | Three years on from its original release on other platforms and there’s still nothing like Cuphead. A delirious, LSD-infused trip through a prohibition-era styled cartoon hellscape, Cuphead underscores its utterly unique presentation with a rock solid and fundamentally excellent platform shooter that stands effortlessly shoulder to shoulder with the best in the genre. The wait has been worth it. | Read review |
| Polygon | Chris Plante | 8.5 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | When I think of my time with Cuphead, instead of frustration I’ll remember the dozens of tiny breakthroughs, when the impossible became possible, and a game that built an identity around difficulty helped me to feel, however briefly, undefeatable. | Read review |
| Post Arcade (National Post) | Chad Sapieha | 8.5 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | One of the most visually stunning games of the year – hand-animated by a pair of Saskatchewan brothers – is also one of the toughest | Read review |
| Press Start | Brodie Gibbons | 9 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | It’s a bit unfair to compare Cuphead to almost any other of the brutally tough platformers I’ve grown to love recently, as it lacks the filler. It gets straight to the good stuff and gives us an almost ‘greatest hits’ of boss fights. And if they don’t get better and more rewarding as they go, I’ll go eat. So while you’ve still got to be a masochist at heart to get through the ‘true’ Cuphead, people of all ages and backgrounds would be able to sit in front of the television and appreciate Cuphead for its sense of style and its ability to evoke that childlike wonder that was, until now, dormant in most of us. | Read review |
| pressakey.com | Tim Bissinger | Recommended | 10-10-2017 | Cuphead is not only a charming love letter to Cartoons from the 30s, but also an exciting boss rush marathon that is sure to get your heart pumping without ever getting into territory of “too hard” or “unfair”. Even if there might be a lack of content and variation over time, it was never enough to hinder the sheer amount of fun I had in fighting all these giants dragons, robots, sunflowers and vegetables. | Read review |
| PSX Brasil | Ivan Nikolai Barkow Castilho | 95 / 100 | 08-10-2020 | Cuphead is an excellent game and a must for any type of player. It may be considered difficult at first, but mastering it will become challenging in the right way – especially in the search for the platinum trophy. The graphics are incredibly beautiful with their retro animations and the songs are awesome too. The biggest downside is the boss battles with the airplane. The gameplay in these parts, personally, is not as fun as the platform ones. An online cooperative would be great too, because offline is very fun. | Read review |
| Push Square | Stephen Tailby | 7 / 10 | 07-31-2020 | Cuphead might be a tough cookie, but it charms with superlative art and music. For every time you might be frustrated by a tough section, you’ll be delighted by some wonderful animation or new attack. It isn’t perfect; the Run and Gun levels don’t live up to the bosses, and a lack of feedback can make fights feel futile. Overall, though, the game succeeds in what it sets out to do — just be prepared for a real challenge. | Read review |
| Rapid Reviews UK | Toby Mortaro | 4 / 5 stars | 05-08-2019 | Cuphead is not for the faint-hearted, and I will say from the outset don’t be lured in by its cutesy, charming hand-drawn visuals. It’s tough as nails. When the Nintendo Switch edition launched, it introduced a handful of updates to the game including the ability to play as either Cuphead or Mugman right from the start of your adventure. | Read review |
| Rectify Gaming | Mike Boccher | 6 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | If you’re into checking out new and unusual takes on games, then Cuphead is for you. I’d temper your enthusiasm, however, as that’s where the uniqueness ends. It’s an average, 2D hand-drawn game that it seems people are expecting way too much of. | Read review |
| Reno Gazette-Journal | Jason Hidalgo | 8 / 10 | 10-10-2017 | Cuphead is that rare new game that introduces a whole new IP that boasts not just excellent mechanics but also a gorgeous art style that’s taken straight out of the early Golden Age of cartoons. Unfortunately, its main antagonist is not the in-game devil but a horrible bug that literally wiped out hours upon hours of my hard-earned progress. I still love the game despite that. But not as unconditionally as I used to. | Read review |
| Rock, Paper, Shotgun | Matt Cox | Recommended | 10-02-2017 | As frustrating as that can be, it was why I found myself punching the air in jubilation after difficult bosses. And they’re all bloody difficult – but I wouldn’t have it any other way. If that sounds enticing rather than off-putting to you, then I can unreservedly recommend Cuphead. | Read review |
| Saudi Gamer | صالح بازرعة | 9 / 10 | 10-02-2017 | Technically accomplished, with tight gameplay and imaginative bosses. The game transports you to a world of 30s cartoons with a dose of challenging gameplay to truly test your mettle. An amazing experience not to be missed, although one that might not appeal to those with little patience. | Read review |
| Saving Content | Scott Ellison II | 5 / 5 stars | 10-05-2017 | It’s such a rare thing for that perfect package of art, presentation, music and gameplay to come together and create something not just great, but truly special and imminently memorable. Cuphead is without a doubt a contemporary classic, sure to be heralded for decades to come, and it feels right at home on Switch. Make no mistake, this is the full-fat Cuphead experience, with no compromises or corners cut. It’s an incredibly impressive release of an already amazing game, and it’s a fantastic addition to your Switch library. | Read review |
| Screen Rant | Toby Arguello | 4.5 / 5 stars | 07-31-2020 | Cuphead and Mugman haven’t lost a step in their move to Switch. | Read review |
| Shacknews | Ozzie Mejia | 8 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | Cuphead is a joyful flashback to a bygone era, both in terms of animation and in terms of crushing video game difficulty. It’s easy to get lost in this gorgeous cartoon world and get overtaken by the sheer beauty and whimsy of the game’s characters. Then the intensity picks up and it becomes one of the most challenging video game experiences of the year. | Read review |
| Sirus Gaming | Jarren Navarrete | 9 / 10 | 10-06-2017 | It is a good game. It can be frustrating at times when you lose, but it’s really a game for those who were in the 80’s or 90’s and quite a blast from the past. Some of the character designs were even inspired by old cartoons such as Popeye. | Read review |
| Slant Magazine | Justin Clark | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-29-2017 | Beneath Cuphead’s staggeringly wild aesthetic lurks the steel-hard, unforgiving soul of a run-n-gun shooter. | Read review |
| SomHráč.sk | Róbert Hagan | 95 / 100 | 11-15-2017 | Cuphead combines 30s cartoons and hardcore gameplay into a challenging, but fair game that can be immensely rewarding. | Read review |
| SpazioGames | Domenico Musicò | 8.5 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | Cuphead is a hardcore game with a beautiful art design that recalls the classic cartoons of the ’30s. Based on splendid boss fights and with some “run and gun” levels, MDHR Studios’ game is challenging and satisfying. | Read review |
| Stevivor | Steve Wright | 8 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | In the end, Cuphead proves to be everything I wanted it to be — challenging, stylised and fun. It’s a tough, tough game — but unlike Dark Souls, my failures in Cuphead made me want to keep playing. Bring it on. | Read review |
| TechRaptor | Andrew Stretch | 8 / 10 | 09-29-2017 | Cuphead combines challenging and unforgiving gameplay with the over the top animations of the 1930’s in this fun adventure. While difficult at times, the sense of reward that you’ll get after each fight will have you continually coming back for more. | Read review |
| Telegraph | Olivia White | 5 / 5 stars | 10-09-2017 | Cuphead stands alone as one of the most satisfying, enjoyable and well-crafted video games of the year. | Read review |
| The Angry Joe Show | Joe Vargas | 10 / 10 | 10-04-2017 | Video Review | Read review |
| TheSixthAxis | Dave Irwin | 8 / 10 | 10-02-2017 | Cuphead was well worth waiting for. It provided exactly what Studio MDHR said it would be – a boss rush with plenty of well-designed bosses and gorgeous presentation that mimics the Fleisher brothers’ art style. Depending on how used to 2D platformers with difficult bosses you are, there’s a decent amount on offer, though with limited side attractions beyond the bosses, it could all be done before you know it. It’s a swell ol’ time though. | Read review |
| TheXboxHub | Carlos Santuana | 5 / 5 stars | 10-08-2017 | It is platforming greatness at its very best, and proves just what can be achieved when the necessary time is put into fine tuning a game before release. | Read review |
| ThisGenGaming | Jordan Phipps | 9.5 / 10 | 10-07-2017 | Cuphead is a true masterpiece that every serious gamer should at least try. It’s the most stylish and unique 2D action game since Viewtiful Joe. | Read review |
| TrueAchievements | Mark Delaney | 4 / 5 stars | 09-29-2017 | For those that go into it with a co-op partner and with the knowledge that its design is as unforgiving as it is beautiful, it will be a unique and rewarding game. Always unabating but never unfair, Cuphead is tough to overcome but even tougher to put down. | Read review |
| TrueGaming | خالد العيسى | 8 / 10 | 10-06-2017 | Nothing revolutionary in the Platformer genre here. However, the true challenge lies in the difficulty Cuphead has in addition to its one of a kind classical art direction that is very nostalgic. | Read review |
| Twinfinite | Ishmael Romero | 3 / 5 stars | 09-29-2017 | There is a game worth enjoying in here, if you can deal with periodic frustration. During encounters that are fully defined it’s easy to get stuck admiring everything that StudioMDHR has created, and it was more than a good enough reason to turn my Xbox One on. It’s because of those parts that are so good that it’s really difficult to ignore the glaring issues. | Read review |
| VGChartz | Daniel Carreras | Recommended | 10-06-2017 | With an aesthetic which I hope and expect will be timeless, and a gameplay loop that’s incredibly addictive and rewarding, Cuphead is justifiably the talk of the industry right now. | Read review |
| Video Chums | A.J. Maciejewski | 7.2 / 10 | 04-18-2019 | Cuphead is a stunning game that truly stands out from its peers on a presentational level. | Read review |
| VideoGamer | Colm Ahern | 8 / 10 | 10-02-2017 | There’s definitely a point where it all becomes a bit too much, but Cuphead will best most games in how it looks and sounds, and defeating that boss that you once deemed unbeatable is glorious. | Read review |
| viewport | Tristan Jung | 9 / 10 | 11-15-2017 | Studio MDHR hit it out of the park with their first game, as it manages to find a unique space in today’s crowded video game world, along with presenting such a polished, complete product. | Read review |
| Washington Post | Christopher Byrd | Recommended | 10-06-2017 | ‘Cuphead’ is really hard but learning its tricks is awfully fun | Read review |
| Wccftech | Rosh Kelly | 8.9 / 10 | 10-04-2017 | This is a game designed with challenge in mind, and an easy to goal to lure you. Some things are easy enough to learn while others take a lot of practice. For instance, after nearly a dozen hours as Cuphead, I still haven’t managed to perfect the counter jump. Players can bounce off pink items with a second jump, but it feels strangely unpredictable with some enemies and objects seemingly easier to counter than others. Unfortunately, it is not a game with multiple playstyles in mind so if this doesn’t sound like your kind of game, don’t think you can make it more fun for yourself by finding other ways to beat the bosses. | Read review |
| We Got This Covered | Eric Hall | 4.5 / 5 stars | 10-04-2017 | If you enjoy a game that takes delight in constantly kicking you in the nads — while laughing hysterically — then Cuphead is for you. The hardcore need only apply. | Read review |
| WellPlayed | Kieran Stockton | 9 / 10 | 10-10-2017 | Beneath its cartoony aesthetic lies a game that is brutally difficult and incredibly rewarding | Read review |
| Windows Central | Jez Corden | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-29-2017 | Cuphead is an instant classic that will build a solid fanbase across Xbox One and Windows PCs, and hopefully, spawn bigger and bolder sequels in the years to come. Amazing job, Studio MDHR. | Read review |
Awards & Recognition
RECOGNITION
Cuphead Credits
CREDITS
DIRECTOR(S):
Chad Moldenhauer, Jared Moldenhauer
PRODUCER(S):
Marija Moldenhauer, Ryan Moldenhauer
DESIGNER(S):
Jared Moldenhauer
PROGRAMMER(S):
Tony Coculuzzi, Eric Billingsley, Kezia Adamo, Thomas Pryde
ARTIST(S):
Chad Moldenhauer, Marija Moldenhauer
WRITER(S):
Evan Skolnick
COMPOSER(S):
Kristofer Maddigan
Developed by Studio MDHR. All titles, content, brand names, trademarks, logos, artwork, and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of their respective owners. © All rights reserved.
