That said, it's not perfect-check out part two of our review for our gentle criticisms.Shovel Knight is a platform video game developed and published by Yacht Club Games. This game is a must-buy, whether it's on Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, or Steam. Overall, the game simply evokes a simpler time and then treats that simpler era in gaming history with all the innovations you would expect from a modern game without ever tarnishing that legacy. All the wandering heroes and most of the bosses are pretty great, too. From horses in dresses to a cross between a trout, an apple and a god, from a rooster who owns an airship to a pun-making frog, there is no shortage of strange and generally hilarious characters in Shovel Knight. This is an extremely inventive and clever game. We touched on the sheer charm and whimsy of Shovel Knight in our preview, but I think it bears repeating. It's a move typical of NES and Super NES era games, and it's great to see it back in action. The first time you have to use a downward attack to bounce off a bubble, there's no bottomless pit underneath it. Instead, rooms or screens will simply have challenges that introduce a new obstacle in a low-risk environment, before throwing you off the deep end in the next room. The retro gameplay is extremely polished, and one of the game's signature successes is how it teaches you about itself. After the village, and once you start getting items, the game really takes off.

The first level starts off a little slowly, it's too easy, but by the time you get to the first boss called Black Knight you'll be getting into it. Shovel Knight gameplay is, simply, a blast.

Shovel Knight Exclusive Interview: Yacht Club Games Talks Release Date, Upgrades, Battle Mode & Secrets

Wii u shovel knight review