100
All told, this is the biggest, most well-crafted, funniest and, in some ways, most emotionally potent game from Yacht Club yet. [Issue #45 – March/April 2020, p. 20]
90
Shovel Knight: King of Cards is a marvelous expansion to the collection of expansions that the original game has been blessed with since its release. Featuring a set of very original levels and a new character with new mechanics and the art style and soundscape that have been consistent with the Shovel Knight series, this is an essential title that should feature in the collection of any owner of a Nintendo Switch.
80
It's wonderfully refined, boasting a glut of ideas without ever feeling overstuffed. [Issue#342, p.114]
10
Genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial
4
I loved the card game gimmick, but it completely drops it by the end so what was the point? The gameplay otherwise was standard Shovel Knight, so it becomes redundant after abandoning the one thing differentiating it from another title in the series.
8
king of cards is a tiny step down from specter of torment, it has great but not excellent controls, it has same graphics, same-slightly better bosses, and unlike the last three pro-tags in shovel knight, I feel no particular incline to cheer for the despised king knight, as he has the same mannerisms of a spoiled brat. still solid game though, as always, with yacht club games. 8/10 would recommend
Shovel Knight: King of Cards
Released On:
Dec 10, 2019
Metascore
Generally Favorable
83
User score
Generally Favorable
7.9
My Score
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All Platforms
Based on 19 Critic Reviews
83
3DS
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PlayStation Vita
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Wii U
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Based on 15 Critic Reviews
84
Based on 1 Critic Review
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
95% Positive
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
5% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
May 1, 2020
100
All told, this is the biggest, most well-crafted, funniest and, in some ways, most emotionally potent game from Yacht Club yet. [Issue #45 – March/April 2020, p. 20]
Mar 18, 2020
90
Shovel Knight: King of Cards is a marvelous expansion to the collection of expansions that the original game has been blessed with since its release. Featuring a set of very original levels and a new character with new mechanics and the art style and soundscape that have been consistent with the Shovel Knight series, this is an essential title that should feature in the collection of any owner of a Nintendo Switch.
User score
Generally Favorable
76% Positive
31 Ratings
31 Ratings
10% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
15% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
Jan 12, 2026
10
Genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial genial
May 27, 2020
10
Grew to one of my favourite games. Just goat material. Wonderful characters, soundtrack, level design and humour. The game itself has some depth and many reasons to play it again. Moving ending. 10 out of 10 crowns!
Dec 16, 2019
90
Delivering yet another fresh twist on Shovel Knight's peerlessly smooth faux-retro brilliance, King of Cards is a challenging, funny, beautiful game that serves not only as the final chapter in the saga but also as proof of how far its creators have come.
Dec 16, 2019
89
Shovel Knight: King of Cards is the proverbial cherry on top of a massive sundae that I’ve enjoyed thoroughly, and I know I’ll look forward to revisiting it in its entirety in the future as well.
Dec 9, 2019
85
Shovel Knight is one of the best indie games of the decade, and this is its best expansion. If you wanted more, make sure you don’t miss it.
Dec 10, 2019
80
King of Cards is, without doubt, the most risky expansion of all of them. It brings brand new elements, as a complete card game (with collectible cards and fully playable) or a main character that plays very different from the previous ones, but as a whole it doesn't astound at the same level that Shovel Knight did up today.
Dec 11, 2019
60
A disappointing way to end an otherwise epic series (especially if you take into account Showdown) but the retro visuals and excellent 2D platforming can still delight.
Mar 28, 2020
10
Shovel knight Treasure Trove is a fantastic saga o of games, with each feeling different from the last. That hasn't changed in the last campaign, King Of Cards. Although King Knight's movemment may seem limiting, it quicly becomes empowering with you gliding across the screen, almost in a trance and snap to once finishing a level and thinking about how fantastic it was. The graphis are nothing to sneeze at, with it feeling like a modern NES game. Overall, King Of Cards is a great way to end this amazing game, and I can't wait for Yacht Club's upcoming releases.
May 26, 2022
7
Has all the great charm of the first three games, but maybe it was shovel knight fatigue, just didn’t get the same buz. Card game mechanic wasn’t explained as well as it could have been too. OK game.
Jul 16, 2021
7
Overall the game is good, even though I prefered the controls and moveset of the other games. The story is good like the other games and King Knight is an interesting and funny character. The problem in this game is the card game. In most (if not all cases) I was winning by luck or by using items. The game basically forces you to learn a card game that will take you more to learn than finishing the game so it's pointless. Nonetheless, the game is great and if you liked the others you should play this as well.
Jan 15, 2025
4
I loved the card game gimmick, but it completely drops it by the end so what was the point? The gameplay otherwise was standard Shovel Knight, so it becomes redundant after abandoning the one thing differentiating it from another title in the series.
Feb 3, 2020
3
Great platforming as always along side with awful cards mechanics. I suppose to play platforming game instead I have got casino :( wery disappointed, have dropped in on the house of cards. This part have ruined the whole shovel knight series :( Now you never knoe what developers will ad next, racing?
SummaryPlay as King Knight, the gilded goon himself, as he travels through 4 new worlds and more than 30 all new courses, on a journey to best the Three Kings who rule over the land. With a high flying spin and a boisterous bash, he can crash through all who would dare stand in his way.
Rated E +10for Everyone +10
Platforms:
- Nintendo Switch
- 3DS
- PlayStation Vita
- Wii U
- PC
- Xbox One
Initial Release Date:Dec 10, 2019
Developer:
Publisher:





























