Quick answer: On Nintendo Switch, Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the complete collection with five experiences: Shovel of Hope, Plague of Shadows, Specter of Torment, King of Cards, and Showdown. It offers classic single-player platforming, supported two-player co-op in Shovel of Hope and local battles for up to four in Showdown. Do not buy a standalone campaign again if it is already included in your Treasure Trove ownership.
Shovel Knight on Switch: editions compared
| Edition | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Treasure Trove | Five main games, including Showdown | Complete collection |
| Shovel of Hope | Original Shovel Knight platformer | Classic campaign only |
| Plague of Shadows | Plague Knight explosive gameplay within the collection | Experimental movement and combat |
| Specter of Torment | Specter Knight prequel adventure | Agile movement and scythe play |
| King of Cards | King Knight story and Joustus | Campaign plus card strategy |
| Showdown | Local multiplayer platform fighting | Up to four-player battles |
Which Shovel Knight game should you buy on Switch?
If you want the whole original Shovel Knight saga, Treasure Trove is the most comprehensive Nintendo Switch edition: it combines five connected games. Shovel of Hope is the original side-scrolling adventure; Plague of Shadows, Specter of Torment and King of Cards give different playable characters their own journeys; Showdown is a local platform-fighting game. Nintendo also sells some components separately. That is why a search for ‘Shovel Knight Switch’ can display multiple listings with different prices and features. Before purchasing, inspect the full product name rather than assuming every item with Shovel Knight artwork contains all five adventures.
Treasure Trove versus Shovel of Hope
Shovel of Hope is the campaign that introduced Shovel Knight, the Shovel Blade and the Order of No Quarter. Treasure Trove includes this campaign along with the other four experiences. Nintendo’s standalone Shovel of Hope listing specifically warns that Treasure Trove owners do not need to buy Shovel of Hope again. The same basic principle applies when comparing other individual adventures against the complete collection: verify the currently listed package contents before buying extras. If you want only the classic campaign, an individual release may suit you; if you plan to explore the characters and local arena game, the complete package offers more variety.
How Shovel of Hope plays
The original campaign is a carefully designed 2D action-platformer. You move through themed stages, jump over hazards, fight enemies with the Shovel Blade and uncover treasure. The shovel can strike enemies or be used for downward attacks that let you bounce after contacting some targets. Mastering that bounce is crucial because it combines offense with movement. When a gap or enemy feels difficult, slow down and inspect the layout before making another attempt. Shovel Knight rewards well-timed jumps and learning an enemy’s behavior rather than nonstop button presses. The approachable opening stages introduce ideas that become harder in later encounters.
Dig for treasure without sacrificing your progress
Breakable objects and hidden spaces can reward careful exploration, and treasure collected across levels supports useful upgrades. However, not every shiny object is worth an unsafe leap. If you die, some of your treasure can be left behind in floating bags that you may try to recover. Chasing those bags through the same dangerous section can create repeated losses. A practical beginner rule is to prioritize reaching the next safe platform or checkpoint and collect risky bags only when you understand the hazard. Treat upgrades as tools for learning rather than a promise to remove all difficulty.
Checkpoints, difficulty and learning a stage
A level often becomes less intimidating once you identify where its checkpoints appear and what enemies are placed near them. Practice one hazard at a time. Study whether a moving obstacle follows a predictable rhythm, then wait for a stable opening. The game supports replaying stages for exploration and improvement. Experienced players may intentionally take greater risks for treasure or faster times, but a first playthrough should value consistent progress. If you lose several times on the same section, stop trying to rush through and instead describe the exact problem: an early jump, a missed bounce or an enemy encountered without space to move.
The Order of No Quarter and boss fights
The original adventure sends Shovel Knight against a group of distinctive knights, each with their own theme, stage and battle pattern. Instead of attacking blindly, watch how a boss changes position, whether an attack has a clear warning and where you can stand safely while it finishes. A reliable plan often starts by avoiding damage for a short period and then testing one counterattack. Do not assume the same strategy fits every boss. A fight in a small enclosed arena can reward different movement habits from a wide stage full of hazards.
Plague of Shadows: a different style of movement
Plague Knight’s campaign features a different approach to combat and platforming built around alchemical explosives, bomb combinations and specialized movement. If you found the original Shovel Knight easy to control, Plague Knight may initially feel less straightforward. Learn how the character handles jumping and attacks in a safe section before using complicated combinations under pressure. The campaign is not simply a cosmetic swap for Shovel of Hope: the character’s identity and play style are distinct enough to reward a new learning curve. It is particularly appealing to players who like experimenting with how abilities interact.
Specter of Torment: speed and vertical movement
Specter Knight has a scythe and agile traversal tools that make his game feel different from the original campaign. The publisher highlights wall-climbing and airborne attacks, so players who enjoy quick vertical navigation may prefer this adventure. Learn how a slash or movement ability changes your trajectory before trying to chain several actions over a hazard. A successful sequence can look effortless, but the underlying skill is controlled timing. Specter of Torment is a prequel within the Shovel Knight saga, giving it its own perspective on the characters and events.
King of Cards: platforming plus Joustus
King Knight headlines the King of Cards campaign, which mixes new platforming challenges with a separate card-based game called Joustus. His movement differs again: a shoulder bash and other tools allow an active approach to enemies and level geometry. Joustus is a strategic side activity with its own rules and progression, not just an item that automatically boosts attack power. People who enjoy collecting and mastering small tactical systems may find King of Cards especially rewarding. Focus first on basic movement and short stages, then learn the card mechanics progressively rather than trying to complete every optional activity on the first visit.
Shovel Knight Showdown: local multiplayer
Showdown is a platform-fighting game included with Treasure Trove. Up to four local players can battle through stages inspired by the larger saga, collect gems and explore character-specific moves. It is not the same mode as the cooperative Shovel of Hope story. Choosing Showdown makes sense for friends who want quick competitive matches on the same console. The standalone Showdown listing can be purchased separately where offered, but Treasure Trove already includes it. The total ‘one to four players’ figure on Nintendo’s Treasure Trove listing applies across its available modes, not to every individual campaign.
Can two people play the story together?
Yes. Shovel of Hope offers a local cooperative campaign in the supported Treasure Trove version. Two-player cooperation is different from Showdown’s four-player arena combat. Before organizing a multiplayer session, choose which type of play you actually want: a shared progression adventure or a series of local battles. On Switch, make sure both controllers are paired and that the intended mode recognizes each player. Nintendo Switch Online is not needed simply to play together locally on one supported system, although a membership may be required for cloud-save services or other online platform features.
Switch versus Switch 2 compatibility
Nintendo’s US listing for Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove states that game behavior is supported on Switch 2, with a compatibility update dated June 2026 resolving issues it had previously identified. Always check the current product page and system software notices before making a purchase based solely on older compatibility reports. Playing an original Switch game on Switch 2 does not mean it automatically receives new content or becomes a distinct native Switch 2 edition. For an existing owner, the practical question is whether the game you already purchased is eligible to run on your current device and account.
What features can you customize?
Treasure Trove includes additional options beyond the core stage campaigns. The publisher describes challenge modes, New Game+ and Body Swap presentation choices within Shovel of Hope. These can increase replay value for somebody who has already reached the credits. Some amiibo-related functions are also available on supported versions and may depend on the specific figure or game update. None of these choices should be confused with the five included games themselves. Start by finishing one campaign and then return for optional challenges if you still want more difficult platforming.
What about Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon and Dig?
The Shovel Knight franchise contains releases beyond the original Treasure Trove collection. A game such as Pocket Dungeon has its own style and product listing rather than becoming a sixth Treasure Trove game simply because the name includes Shovel Knight. Shovel Knight Dig is another separate release. Search the exact subtitle when you compare prices or read platform requirements. Buying Treasure Trove grants the five included experiences identified by the developer, not automatic ownership of every later spin-off using the characters.
Practical first-session plan
Begin with Shovel of Hope if you are new to the franchise. Spend a few minutes learning movement and the downward shovel attack, then clear an early stage without rushing to collect every difficult piece of treasure. Try upgrading only after you have identified what causes most of your failures. If you want variety after several levels, explore one of the alternate campaigns, but expect its controls to feel different. For couch multiplayer, select Showdown or the Shovel of Hope cooperative option depending on whether your group wants competition or shared progression.
Is it worth playing in 2026?
The game’s retro pixel-art presentation is intentional: it combines the readability and tight controls of classic platformers with modern animation and level design. Players who enjoy precision jumping and learning boss patterns are likely to appreciate it. If you prefer open-world exploration and cinematic graphics, a different Switch game may be a better match. For another demanding action adventure on Nintendo hardware, see our Metroid Dread beginner guide. For a more exploratory platforming experience, try our Super Mario Odyssey guide.
Confirm the product before buying
Read the official Nintendo Treasure Trove listing for the exact contents, supported platforms, players and regional purchase terms. Yacht Club Games maintains a press kit and feature summary with the five included games and gameplay descriptions. A discounted standalone title might be suitable for a specific campaign, but avoid paying for several individual components accidentally when the complete package already covers what you want.
Frequently asked questions
Does Treasure Trove include all the original Shovel Knight campaigns?
Yes. It includes Shovel of Hope, Plague of Shadows, Specter of Torment, King of Cards and Showdown.
How many players can play Shovel Knight on one Switch?
It depends on the mode: the original campaign can support two players in co-op, while Showdown supports up to four players locally.
Do I need to buy Shovel of Hope if I own Treasure Trove?
No. Nintendo explicitly says that Shovel of Hope is included with Treasure Trove.
Does Shovel Knight work on Switch 2?
Nintendo’s official compatibility notice lists Treasure Trove as supported, with previously identified issues resolved in a June 2026 update.
Does buying Treasure Trove give me Pocket Dungeon and Dig?
No. Those are separate Shovel Knight releases outside Treasure Trove’s five included games.
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