Version differences

The title screen for most of the re-releases.

Cave Story has been made officially available on PC (freeware and Plus), Mac (Plus), Nintendo 3DS (Cave Story 3D and eShop), Nintendo DSi (DSi Shop), Nintendo Wii (Wii Shop), and Nintendo Switch (Plus). These versions each have different sets of features, some being exclusive to certain versions. The price also varies for each version. Many unofficial ports have also been made for other systems such as PSP, Xbox, GP2X, and even Sega Genesis.

Notes

• Cave Story 3D is a retail game sold as physical cartridges; the rest are available via digital download. Cave Story+ on Nintendo Switch is available via both physical and digital copies.
• The DSiWare version was removed from the 3DS eShop when the 3DS version was released. Since the DSiWare Shop shut down in March 2017, this version is no longer available for (legal) download anywhere.
• The Wii Shop Channel closed permanently on January 30, 2019, making the WiiWare version no longer available for download. This version can be redownloaded if it was purchased before the Wii Shop closed.
• The 3DS eShop closed permanently on March 27, 2023, making the digital 3DS version of the game unavailable for purchase. This version can be redownloaded if it was purchased before the 3DS eShop closed.
• All Nicalis versions run at a slightly faster speed compared to the Freeware version; roughly 1.2 times faster. This is a result of the differing framerates between the two versions. Also, despite its lower frame rate, Cave Story 3D is based off of the Nicalis version's timing.

	Cave Story	Cave Story	Cave Story	Cave Story+	Cave Story 3D	Cave Story	Cave Story+
Platform	Windows PC	WiiWare	DSiWare	Windows PC / Linux	Nintendo 3DS	Nintendo 3DS	Nintendo Switch
Price	Freeware	Unavailable (was $12)	Unavailable (was $10)	$15	$40 (MSRP)	Unavailable (was $10)	$30 (MSRP)
Save Files	1	3	3	3	3	3	3
­
Aspect ratio	4:3	4:3	4:3	4:3	5:3	5:3 and 4:3	16:9
Framerate	50FPS	60FPS	60FPS	60FPS	30FPS	60FPS	60FPS
Hard and Easy Modes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Jukebox (Sound Test)	Yes	Hidden	Yes	Unlockable	No	Yes	Yes
Inner Wall	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Achievements	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Local Co-Op Multiplayer	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
­
Original Graphics	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Chars only	Yes	Yes*
Remastered Graphics	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Talksprites only	Yes
Dynamic lighting and animated talksprites	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
3D Model Graphics	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Stereoscopic 3D	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
­
Original Soundtrack	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Remastered Soundtrack	No	No	No	Yes*	Yes	No	Yes
"New" Soundtrack	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	Yes
Famitracks Soundtrack	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Ridiculon Soundtrack	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes*
­
Curly Story	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Machine Gun Challenge	No	No	No	Yes*	No	No	Yes
Sanctuary Time Attack	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Boss Attack	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Wind Fortress	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Nemesis Challenge	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Sand Pit	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

*In updated releases

External links

• List of unofficial ports on the Cave Story Tribute site