Nintendo Switch Critic Reviews

Fans of the original will love this updated classic and all of its new features. For those looking for a difficult but fun challenge that includes numerous single and multiplayer game modes, I highly recommend checking out Spelunker HD Deluxe.

Spelunker HD Deluxe completes everything it sets out to achieve, it is a faithful remaster of the 2010 version with enough additions (multiplayer) to feel warranted. The controls are tight enough that deaths don’t feel too cheap and the depth of levels will keep you entertained for a lot longer than most remasters. My only real issues is I feel they could have done more to the 3D graphics to make it really feel like a remaster. Instead of just a port with additions. I would recommend this game to anyone who has an itch for old games with a punishing difficulty or anyone who likes to torture there friends and are bored of Super Mario Party.

While the average player may be better off waiting until the arrival of the Spelunky games on Switch, Spelunker HD Deluxe has charms of its own. The multiplayer modes alone add a lot of value to the game provided you can find people to play with, and pushing up the leaderboards in single-player is quite satisfying as well. Its adherence to the fussy rules of a rather early computer game will surely turn some away, but approach it on its own terms and you’ll find a challenging adventure that rewards you for your patience and investment in its mechanics.

Spelunker HD Deluxe isn’t going to appeal to everyone. The game is unforgivingly difficult, and many of its more frustrating mechanics would have been better off left in 1985. However, those who can look beyond these quirks will find there’s plenty of fun to be had deep underground. With clever stage designs and an addicting loop that will have you saying “just one more go,” it’s bound to appeal to fans of the series or players who just want a good challenge. If you don’t find yourself in either of those camps, you might just want to remain topside.

Getting to the end of stages intact after slowly and strategically working your way through the many traps is tense and terrific. Most of the time at least. Sadly this isn’t enough for us to recommend Spelunker HD Deluxe wholeheartedly. It’s just a little too old fashioned to be consistently enjoyable, despite its co-operative options and heaps of content.

Spelunker HD Deluxe doesn’t quite live up to its namesake, given how it is largely based on a release from over a decade ago, where the core game itself lacks the charm of the series by design. The awkward mechanics haven’t aged very well, but the premise of the level design and progression can be interesting and even rewarding at times. Unfortunately, the experience as a whole feels needlessly frustrating and dated, especially when you’re fighting against the controls for the most part.