Metacritic - 86 (6 reviews)
Nintendo Wire - 9.5/10
The bottom line is this: If you've played one of the more recent, updated versions of Cave Story, there's nothing much for you here. If you've only played the original freeware release, then consider picking this one up, especially if you're interested in all the additions. And if you haven't played Cave Story at all... remedy that immediately, whether with this addition or one of the myriad of others. It's truly one of the finest experiences I've ever had the pleasure to play and write about.
App Trigger - 9/10
Cave Story+ is an absolute blast of a game. It's addicting, it's entertaining, and the multiple endings will keep you playing time and time again. It's one of the Switch's best releases and one you shouldn't miss out on.
Cub3d - 9/10
It's almost incredible how well Cave Story has managed to stand the test of time. It isn't a particularly old title, but its limited resources and one-man development team seem like a recipe for a dated entry. Instead, it manages to justify its existence in any given generation with each re-release. The Island has yet to lose its lustre, the characters their charm, and the level design that sweet balance of difficulty, which makes defeating a challenging boss or getting through a brutal platforming section all the more satisfying. Beneath the surface lies a poignant narrative about the consequences of war that takes itself surprisingly seriously without compromising the overall whimsical mood. Cave Story+ isn't just a good game in 2017; it's downright impressive.
Nintendo World Report - 8.5/10
Cave Story+ isn't the definitive version of Cave Story—I think that crown still belongs to the WiiWare version, but then again, that version isn't portable. I do miss the ability to switch graphical styles, but it's really the only regrettable absentee. Having no Pro Controller support is more concerning, but I'm hoping that sees a patch fairly quickly. The bottom line, though, is Cave Story is great and you should play it.
UPDATE: The game does support the Pro Controller. I thought this was not the case, as the D-pad and face buttons didn't work the first time I tried it (but the Pause button did). However, a second attempt was successful!
Video Chums - 81/100
Countless fantastic 2D action games released since Cave Story initially debuted yet it remains a wonderful experience that every genre fan needs to play. Now that it's available on Switch, even more gamers can see why it's such a timeless classic.
Switch Player - 4.6/5
More than ten years after its first release, Cave Story+ still holds its ground as the apex of its genre. There is hardly anything left to be improved upon regarding its gameplay, visuals, or soundtrack - and this plus version is truly the definitive release of the game. You'd be doing yourself a disservice by not adding it to your library.
MyGamer - 8.5/10
Comic Book - 4.5/5
Cave Story+ on the Nintendo Switch is simply the best way to experience what has, for so many years, been one of the best retro-inspired games ever developed. It's original, it's challenging, and it's fun. If you don't believe me, go read a thousand Steam reviews and see if you're not persuaded. You're late to the party, folks. Pick this one up now.
Gaming Age - A-
I think it's priced fairly at $29.99, but if you've played through the game on WiiWare, PC, and so on, there's not a lot of meaningful additions being made to this version of the game. It uses the upgraded visuals of previous ports, and does feature multiple soundtrack options, but outside of that it's essentially Cave Story as you remember it. Of course that is still a positive thing, but as someone who has played through the game a few times, I'd only suggest it to fans if you're either dying to play some more Cave Story, or looking to scratch a Metroidvania itch on the Nintendo Switch.