Cuphead

Press StartBrodie Gibbons

9/10

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 ...

Jump Dash RollMatt Jordan

9/10

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.

Pure XboxStuart Gipp

9/10

Despite its downright oppositional difficulty, Cuphead is a treasure. Its visual fidelity is second-to-none in terms of presenting stylistic cartoon graphics and its gameplay is tight, responsive shooting at its very best. You might finish it remarkably quickly – due to desperately wanting to see what twisted boss battle they could throw at you next – but you’ll return to Cuphead and Mugman’s adventures again and again.

COGConnectedScott Sullivan

90/100

Studio MDHR’s highly praised, tough as nails title Cuphead has finally landed on the Switch, and it pleases me immensely to see that the transition went off without a hitch. Featuring the same tight platforming, fantastic bosses, and jazzy big band soundtrack as the original version, the Switch version may even arguably be the definitive way to experience the game, thanks to the grab ‘n go nature of the Switch. There’s a lot to delve into, so let’s spill the tea (or coffee or milk or whatever you may drink out of a cup or mug. I won’t judge you.)

Nintendo LifeChris Scullion

9/10

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.

Game InformerJeff Cork

8/10

Cuphead made me shout obscenities at a flower. Its cheerful dragon tempted me to head-butt my television. And the candy princess? Oh, you don’t even want to know. I didn’t appreciate it until much later, but those early maddening hours with Studio MDHR’s run-and-gun platformer were like a kiln, hardening my skills and turning me into the best damned Cuphead player that I could be. That trial by fire is ultimately one of the most satisfying parts of the overall experience, but players who just want to enjoy its unique aesthetic are going to get burned.

VideogamerColm Ahern

8/10

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.

GameSpewRichard Seagrave

8/10

Dipping in and out of the challenges that Cuphead throws your way makes it less frustrating. You’ll probably make your through it slower, but it doesn’t matter. 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.

Video ChumsA.J. Maciejewski

7.2/10

About a year and a half ago, Cuphead debuted for Xbox One only to almost universally wow gamers and critics alike. Now that it's available for Switch, let's get ready to blast some baddies with our magic fingers like it's 2017.

GameSpaceSteven Weber

7/10

The problem lies in the gulf between a good game with unbelievable art, and a work of art. Cuphead gets so close to being more than a cool-looking game, but the gameplay and art style don't merge in any meaningful way. It's still worth playing, and it's still the best-looking exercise in humility and frustration that you can find on the market today.

The EscapistMarty Sliva

Unscored

The Cuphead Show review: The animated TV series adaptation of Cuphead at Netflix is a bit lacking compared to its source material.

KotakuHeather Alexandra

Unscored

Cuphead turns players into perfectionists. The long-awaited hand-drawn action game is full of cartoony boss battles that demand enough precision and focus that even a single hit of damage feels unacceptable. Playing Cuphead is like a stage performance; every mistake is embarrassing, but the curtain call of each defeated boss is like nothing else.