Gamers use a shovel to slash enemies, unearth treasure, and bounce around classic 8-bit environments in the side-scrolling platformer Shovel Knight. Players take on the role of the titular adventurer, who travels across the land battling the Order of No Quarter and their evil leader The Enchantress in hopes of reuniting with his love Shield Knight. Each stage has its own theme and offers unique enemies and hidden areas, and most levels include new sub-weapons that can be upgraded by collecting loot. The game also includes a mission-based Challenge mode and a more difficult NG+ mode.
The 3DS version includes a unique StreetPass Battle Arena mode, and it lets gamers trade their play coins for in-game gold.