Oct 15, 2025 at 12:54 AM
I'm just putting this information out there for possible first-time players who may stumble upon this.
After researching several versions (freeware/Steam/GOG/Epic/NXEngine-evo/CSE2/Switch/doukutsu-rs), I came to the conclusion that the best way to experience Cave Story/Doukutsu Monogatari/洞窟物語 currently is:
- with doukutsu-rs, which is the Rust rewrite available on Windows/Linux/Mac/Android (I've only tried Windows)
- based on the assets from the 2017 Switch version, which is like CS++ (you're on your own with obtaining the ROM and extracting its "data" folder with an emulator of your choice)
The rewrite has so many sensible quality of life features that I won't even bother listing them. Superior to any official release.
That's the easy choice.
The harder choices are the graphics, soundtrack, and language selection for your actual gameplay.
Consider that you will want to finish the game at least twice, once for the normal endings, and once for the full ending (worth it). My personal choices were:
- original graphics & soundtrack for 1st playthrough, both remastered for 2nd playthrough, then switched back to originals for the true ending section
- the Switch assets come with Japanese and English...
TL;DR
Play doukutsu-rs using the Nintendo Switch assets.
After researching several versions (freeware/Steam/GOG/Epic/NXEngine-evo/CSE2/Switch/doukutsu-rs), I came to the conclusion that the best way to experience Cave Story/Doukutsu Monogatari/洞窟物語 currently is:
- with doukutsu-rs, which is the Rust rewrite available on Windows/Linux/Mac/Android (I've only tried Windows)
- based on the assets from the 2017 Switch version, which is like CS++ (you're on your own with obtaining the ROM and extracting its "data" folder with an emulator of your choice)
The rewrite has so many sensible quality of life features that I won't even bother listing them. Superior to any official release.
That's the easy choice.
The harder choices are the graphics, soundtrack, and language selection for your actual gameplay.
Consider that you will want to finish the game at least twice, once for the normal endings, and once for the full ending (worth it). My personal choices were:
- original graphics & soundtrack for 1st playthrough, both remastered for 2nd playthrough, then switched back to originals for the true ending section
- the Switch assets come with Japanese and English...
* If you know Japanese, just select it
* If you want English, by default you'll have the official translation by Nicalis available, but if you want the classic unofficial fan-translation instead you'll have to mod it in yourself
* If you need a different language, just know that the Switch version is so "new" that it may be a nightmare to make it work with old translations. You have been warned
* (my choice: 1st playthrough ENG unofficial, 2nd playthrough ENG official)
TL;DR
Play doukutsu-rs using the Nintendo Switch assets.
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