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Cave Story, originally released in 2004, is concrete proof that a single talented individual can create a solid, engaging feature length game.

It seems like everyone that even remotely follows the independent computer gaming scene has heard of Daisuke Amaya’s creation, which led to the formation of a very devoted fan community developed around this freeware game. Better known by his handle, Pixel, Daisuke Amaya is known for his cute style even back in 2000 with Ikachan, a game about squid navigating through water filled caverns. There are many similarities between the health and inventory system as well as the wonderfully catchy tunes.

All of Cave Story’s attention has been well-earned and soon(-ish) console gamers will get to share in the love. The WiiWare port was first announced in October of 2008 but delays from Nintendo’s approval process have pushed the release farther and farther back. Nicalis, the developer working with Pixel to bring the console version to life, has also included new difficulty levels and character designs and also plans on several DLC packs to support the release once it is available to the public. Their blog also contains a FAQ section addressing that the new version will contain the original artwork and music as well. Then, of course, there’s the obligatory “When it’s ready” game release timeline.

Who wants to wait?

No one likes waiting when you don’t have to and we, being the homebrew enthusiasts that we are, don’t have to. The PC version, with or without the English language patch, can play right now, yesterday and tomorrow and whenever. I highly recommend using a controller with the game as platformer with the keyboard just feels awkward. The last time I played these types of game with a keyboard it was, well, back in the day with Commander Keen and Jazz Jackrabbit. People running Macs and Linux are not left out since the game can be enjoyed on just about every platform available. Minus WiiWare, XBLA, and the PlayStation Store. For now. If you are a hardcore homebrew enthusiast and math student, you can even experience Cave Story on the TI-83/84! Go on, look at those screens. I wish I hadn’t given my calculator away when I passed my last Calculus III exam so I could give that a shot, just to say that I have. The truly enthusiastic among you would also enjoy the modding tools available.

The DS and PSP versions take more effort to get up and running. Though the DS download link has been removed from cavestory.org, it can be located with some effort *cough* or your search engine of choice. Note that the DS release was just a demo, no hit points or weapons or sound effects. The touch screen contains a menu to jump between several different areas of the game. If you have not played Cave Story already and want to experience the story as it unfolds, please don’t jump in with this version. Instead grab it for your computer or just keep on waiting for the WiiWare version! You have been warned. For homebrew DS users that go through a Supercard, you may find that you’ll be stuck in the loading screen if you use the software to move the .nds package to your card. In that instance just manually copy over the file and run it on your DS just like any other piece of homebrew software. This version was created with Pixel’s knowledge (how much do I want that DS? let me count the ways…) but development, sadly, stalled and was eventually abandoned.

The PSP version is an entirely different beast. PocketGamer.co.uk’s guide mirrors my own experience attempting to run the game. My homebrew PSP runs on the 1.5 firmware and the best I’ve been able to manage brings up the title screen and the beginning of the story but it’s.. so… slow…. that.. it.. was…. unplayable. I hope that those with supported firmwares have better luck since Cave Story is a wonderful game to have available on the go.