The Ultimate List: 10 Groundbreaking Kickstarted Video Games That Have Redefined the Industry

Not all video game franchises are fortunate enough to receive support from large studios or media conglomerates. Unlike Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, independent developers must find funding from alternative sources. This is where crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter, Patreon, and GoFundMe play a crucial role.

Although many campaigns fail to meet their fundraising targets, numerous others have exceeded their initial objectives. What began as passion projects seeking contributions from dedicated fans has transformed into iconic franchises in their own regard. These indie video games have even spawned future installments and merchandise.

10 Shovel Knight

Shovel Knight, developed by Yacht Club Games, had one of the most successful video game Kickstarter campaigns. Originally launched in 2013, the campaign exceeded its minimum goal of $75,000, quadrupling its funding. However, this achievement paled in comparison to the success the franchise achieved after its release on PC, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS.

In addition to receiving multiple DLC expansions and being ported to various console generations in the following years, the Shovel Knight franchise continues to thrive. In 2021, Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon was released as a spin-off puzzle game, while Shovel Knight Dig serves as a prequel to the original game, featuring roguelike platforming and starring the titular hero.

9 Undertale

Undertale, created primarily by indie developer Toby Fox, has now gained a widespread fan base. The game draws inspiration from the Mother franchise and revolves around a child exploring the depths of an underground Earth. Along the journey, they encounter both captivating friends and formidable adversaries, engaging in combat using a distinctive battle system.

Undertale's captivating world-building played a significant role in garnering fans' attention, surpassing its original Kickstarter pitch. Characters like Sans and Papyrus became beloved among video game enthusiasts, with Sans even making an appearance as a Mii costume in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Furthermore, the game achieved acclaim for its iconic music track, "Megalovania," widely regarded as one of the finest compositions in video game history.

8 Hollow Knight

Shovel Knight attracted fans of the "Metroidvania" genre and the Mega Man series, while Hollow Knight, a crowdfunded 2D platformer, evoked memories of the challenging Dark Souls franchise. This is clearly portrayed through the immersive aesthetics of Hollow Knight, which follows a warrior's journey through a plagued kingdom.

Renowned for its exceptional art design and captivating gameplay, Hollow Knight has become a cherished gem within the indie gaming community. The adoration for this iconic game will undoubtedly continue with the eagerly awaited sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, currently being developed. However, there is still much enjoyment to be derived from the original game, which was released in 2017.

7 Pillars Of Eternity

Kickstarter played a crucial role in financing the development of the top-down tactical RPG, Pillars of Eternity. Despite facing challenges due to previous unsuccessful projects, Obsidian Entertainment, the game's developer, successfully created the game. Pillars of Eternity proved to be a highly successful endeavor, leading to the release of two DLC expansions and a sequel called Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire in 2018. The sequel received partial funding from the crowdfunding platform, Fig.

6 Mighty No. 9

The Mega Man-inspired platformer of 2016 made Kickstarter history by raising over $3.8 million. Led by Keiji Inafune, former Capcom writer, the game's development involved active participation from loyal fans who provided input on character designs and funding goals.

However, the development of Mighty No. 9 experienced significant delays, and the end credits sequence alone lasted for three hours. Reviews of the game upon its release were mixed, although some devoted Mega Man fans appreciated it as a spiritual successor. Regrettably, certain Kickstarter backers did not receive their promised bonuses.

5 Yooka-Laylee

The rise and fall of Rareware, the game developers behind classics like Banjo-Kazooie and Goldeneye 007, is well-known within the video game community. After being acquired by Microsoft, the core team responsible for these iconic games reunited in 2014 under the new company Playtonic. Their first project was Yooka-Laylee, a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie that introduced a chameleon and bat as the new main characters. Drawing inspiration from its predecessor, Yooka-Laylee features expansive levels to explore, unique abilities for the main characters, and nostalgic mine cart sequences reminiscent of the Donkey Kong Country series.

4 Night In The Woods

Night in the Woods lacks notable gameplay, but its strength lies in its sincere and emotionally gripping storyline. Players follow Mae, a college dropout who returns to her hometown and uncovers a deep-seated conspiracy that challenges the ethics of the town's residents.

First revealed on Kickstarter in 2013, the game's release was delayed until February 2017 due to additional funding. This funding allowed for the inclusion of mini-games within the main game. Night in the Woods' captivating narrative received high praise from media outlets, and it was honored with various awards, including Best Narrative at the British Academy Games Awards.

3 Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

The Shantae franchise has a long history predating Kickstarter. The first game was released in 2002 for the Game Boy Color by indie developer WayForward. While WayForward remained active for years, they eventually turned to Kickstarter in 2016 to sustain their beloved Shantae series, resulting in the release of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

Thanks to Half-Genie Hero, WayForward managed to raise nearly $1 million for the game, and it has since been ported to various HD platforms. In 2019, the sequel, Shantae and the Seven Sirens, was developed without Kickstarter's assistance and released, with ports to future consoles as well. This is expected to help keep the franchise thriving for years to come.

2 Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, an indie game funded through Kickstarter, falls under the Metroidvania genre and is developed by Koji Igarashi, a former Castlevania producer. After leaving Konami, Igarashi initiated a Kickstarter campaign for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night in 2015, which went on to raise an impressive $5.5 million, surpassing most other video game campaigns on the platform.

The game's funding goals resulted in the release of Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon, an NES-style precursor to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. The latter was launched a year later in 2019. Despite receiving unfavorable reviews for its Nintendo Switch version, both titles have achieved sequels following the initial game's success.

1 Hyper Light Drifter

Released in 2016, Hyper Light Drifter received acclaim from Kickstarter backers who compared it to a blend of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Diablo. The game's creator, Alx Preston, raised an impressive $640,000 via Kickstarter in 2013, surpassing the initial goal of $27,000. With the success of Hyper Light Drifter, Preston went on to further expand the immersive universe of the game.

Preston's next project, Solar Ash, developed by his company Heart Machine, nods to Hyper Light Drifter and suggests that Solar Ash is set in the same universe. In 2019, Preston also announced a collaboration with producer Adi Shankar to produce a limited series based on Hyper Light Drifter, maintaining its distinctive pixel animation style.