2017 Xbox One Game Redefined Graphical Artistry
First impressions are pretty overwhelming in life. Whether it be the smell of a home-cooked meal or the way someone is dressed when they go on a date, that first look at something or someone holds a lot of weight.
Video games work that way too. No video game gives a better first impression than 2017's run-and-gun shooter, Cuphead . Developed by indie team Studio MDHR, this modern classic visually assaults the player with painstaking nostalgic firepower from the second the first level screams across the screen.
Even though it's not Cuphead's anniversary, it's always a good time to think about how vital it was in the industry and how it's remained so for almost a decade. Originally, it was an Xbox One and PC exclusive. When it was ported to Switch, it opened the floodgates for millions of other gamers to fall in love with its whimsy and charm.
Combining the intensity of a side-scrolling shooter with the animation of a 1930s cartoon is nothing short of ingenious. Studio MDHR didn't just prioritize visuals at the expense of fun. While Cuphead holds pretty privilege, this game is the prom queen and the valedictorian all in one.
In fact, the fluidity of the game's graphics aids in the seemlessness that the characters and enemies move. Never has a game shown the world how artistic the medium can be while holding an addictive gameplay loop over its players.
The game has influenced other developers to try the same graphical style while dabbling in different genres. Mouse: P.I. For Hire is the most recent example of a spiritual copycat. Still, this first-person shooter isn't Cuphead .
Where is the sequel, though? Fans are more than starving for the follow-up. Studio MDHR announced a spinoff titled Mighty Cuphead Adventure earlier this summer. Can it recreate the magic of the first game? Even if it doesn't, Cuphead will be infinitely playable for the rest of gaming history!
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Aug 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
