Spelunker HD Deluxe (2021)

Developer: Irem
Publisher: ININ Games, United Games Entertainment GmbH, Tozai Games
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Genres: Platform, Adventure, Arcade
Rating: 4.2 of 5, 2 player ratings
Where to get it: Nintendo eShop

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

More games like this Watch the trailer

or watch the trailer on YouTube

How it feels

A tense and fragile platforming experience where every step feels precarious and teamwork is key to surviving tricky cave terrains.

fragilepreciseretroco-op friendlypunishingexplorationplatformingtense

About

Spelunker HD returns! Spelunker HD, which was released for PlayStation 3 in 2009 and won the PlayStation Store Special Award at the PlayStation Awards that year, has been revived with a full remake on PlayStation 4 and Switch as Ganso Minna de Spelunker. Ganso Minna de Spelunker is an action game in which the cave explorer Spelunker, said to be “the weakest chracter in video game history,” explores caves full of mystery. With 100 stages consisting of abandoned mines, underground lakes, ancient ruins, glaciers, and more, Spelunker’s goal is to reach the depths of each cave. Caves are full of dangers including natural terrain, cave creatures, and malicious traps—and enemies and traps that appear to be traces of an unknown civilization will appear in the latter half of the cavern. Spelunker must overcome these obstacles by properly utilizing items such as bombs, flares, portable fans, and more, as well as his jump technique. But be cautious, as Spelunker is quite weak! If you fall from your own height, or get hit by bat poop, you will die. Spelunker’s weakness, or his “fragile constitution,” gives the game a moderate sense of tension and rhythm, making it more interesting as an action game.

Screenshots

More games like this

More by Irem

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.