Cuphead & The Delicious Last Course on Nintendo Switch is a masterclass in artistic vision, combining breathtaking hand-drawn animation with challenging boss-focused gameplay that remains unlike anything else in the genre. After spending around 20 hours with the game across Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, reaching roughly two-thirds of the main adventure while only beginning The Delicious Last Course expansion, it is easy to understand why Cuphead has become one of the most celebrated indie games of its generation. Its incredible presentation, memorable soundtrack, satisfying combat and exceptional replay value make it a standout experience, even if its demanding difficulty and a handful of design decisions occasionally create unnecessary frustration.
The first thing that stands out is the art direction. Cuphead beautifully recreates the look and feel of classic 1930s animation, drawing clear inspiration from the early eras of studios such as Disney and Fleischer while establishing an identity that feels entirely its own. Every boss, enemy and environment is filled with expressive hand-drawn animation that constantly moves and evolves throughout each encounter. The presentation is elevated further by the film grain, projection-style effects and vintage aesthetic that make every battle resemble an authentic cartoon playing on an old projector. While I would have appreciated the option to disable these visual effects for a cleaner image, they remain a defining part of the game’s personality.
The soundtrack deserves equal praise. From the instantly recognizable main theme to the memorable music found throughout The Delicious Last Course, every track complements the game’s visual identity while helping each boss battle feel distinct. The jazzy compositions never feel repetitive and continue reinforcing the classic cartoon atmosphere from beginning to end.
Gameplay is where Cuphead truly excels. Every boss introduces new mechanics, attack patterns and creative visual ideas that keep encounters fresh throughout the adventure. Running, jumping, dashing, parrying and experimenting with different weapons and charms create a satisfying gameplay loop that rewards learning rather than simple persistence. The platforming stages also provide enjoyable variety between boss encounters, while the hub world ties everything together with a visually appealing structure that encourages exploration.
Character variety also adds flexibility without compromising the game’s core identity. Cuphead and Mugman offer the traditional experience, while Ms. Chalice provides an excellent alternative for newer players or anyone looking for a different play style. Her unique abilities make the game more approachable without removing the satisfaction of overcoming difficult encounters. Combined with the large selection of weapons, charms and optional replay goals such as improving grades and collecting medals, Cuphead offers excellent long-term replay value beyond simply reaching the credits.
Playing cooperatively with a friend or sibling is another highlight. Working together against the game’s creative boss roster creates memorable moments, although the added visual chaos means cooperative play can actually become more difficult than playing alone. With two players firing projectiles while enemies fill the screen with attacks, keeping track of everything can become overwhelming during the toughest encounters.
Cuphead’s biggest challenge is balancing its demanding difficulty with readability. The game is designed around repeated attempts and gradual mastery, but some difficulty spikes feel significantly steeper than others. There were moments where I felt I had avoided an attack only to still take damage, making certain defeats feel difficult to fully understand. The lack of boss health meters also makes longer encounters more exhausting because it is impossible to know how close victory might be. While that uncertainty adds tension, an optional health indicator would have made repeated attempts feel less discouraging.
The controls are responsive throughout, but the default layout is not always ideal for extended play sessions. Constantly holding the fire button during long boss fights can become uncomfortable over time and occasionally led to hand fatigue during my playthrough. Thankfully, Cuphead allows players to fully remap the controls, making this a quality-of-life concern rather than a permanent limitation. The overworld can also feel larger than necessary at times, occasionally making it less obvious where to go next, while loading screens are generally acceptable but can sometimes take longer than expected.
The Delicious Last Course appears to be a worthwhile expansion for players who simply want more Cuphead. Based on my time with it, the DLC continues the same high level of boss design, presentation and challenge while adding meaningful content rather than feeling like a separate experience. It is an easy recommendation for players who finish the base game and want additional battles, although the original adventure already feels substantial on its own.
Performance is excellent on Nintendo Switch, and playing through backward compatibility on Nintendo Switch 2 makes the already impressive presentation look even sharper in handheld mode. The larger 1080p display highlights the game’s incredible animation, making Cuphead feel perfectly suited to Nintendo’s hybrid hardware. Being able to experience a game with this level of artistic craftsmanship anywhere is one of the strongest advantages of playing on Switch and Switch 2.
Cuphead & The Delicious Last Course remains one of the finest examples of how gameplay and artistic direction can perfectly complement one another. Its unforgettable presentation, outstanding music, rewarding combat and exceptional replay value make it one of the best boss rush games available today. Although its steep challenge, occasional readability concerns and a few quality-of-life limitations prevent it from being completely flawless, Cuphead stands as an essential experience for players looking for a rewarding action game that is unlike anything else.
Final Score: 9 out of 10
Cuphead & The Delicious Last Course earns its score through extraordinary hand-drawn animation, memorable music, creative boss encounters, satisfying combat mechanics and outstanding replay value. Its occasional difficulty spikes, lack of boss health indicators, physically demanding default control layout and moments of visual clutter keep it from reaching perfection, but its craftsmanship and gameplay excellence make it one of the strongest action games on Nintendo Switch.
Pokémon Lens
Cuphead connects to Pokémon through its emphasis on preparation, experimentation and learning from repeated encounters rather than relying on raw reflexes alone. Just as Pokémon encourages players to build teams around different strengths, type matchups and strategies, Cuphead rewards experimenting with different weapons, charms and character abilities to overcome specific bosses. Success comes from understanding patterns, adapting your approach and gradually mastering each challenge, demonstrating how thoughtful preparation can be just as important as mechanical execution.
Source: Pokemon
