Celebrating its tenth anniversary, indie developer Playtonic Games has announced the return of Shovel Knight in its upcoming title, Yooka-Replaylee. The beloved shovel-wielding hero from Yacht Club Games made a surprising crossover appearance after Playtonic reached out to his creators with a playful request.

Players can expect Shovel Knight to feature a redesigned look and embark on a new quest within Yooka-Replaylee, offering the opportunity to collect exclusive Pagies. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Playtonic as it honors a decade of creating vibrant and engaging platformers.

In addition to the Shovel Knight crossover, Playtonic unveiled details about their forthcoming game, Dunk Dunk. The studio has launched a public playtest, inviting gamers to experience a blend of basketball and platforming chaos. The demo includes the Cursed Crater Cemetery level and introduces various mutators, such as the Hand-Egg ball and unlimited air dashes, which alter gameplay dynamics and enhance player mobility. Feedback from the playtest will help shape future updates, with Playtonic encouraging participants to join their Discord community to share their experiences and suggestions.

Playtonic, established in 2015 by industry veterans, gained recognition for the Yooka-Laylee series and has since expanded its influence through its publishing arm, Playtonic Friends. Since its inception in February 2021, Playtonic Friends has supported indie titles like BPM, Demon Turf, Blossom Tales 2, and Lil Gator Game, helping these games reach broader audiences.

Shovel Knight is the central character of the 2014 platformer developed by Yacht Club Games. Armed with his signature shovel, Shovel Knight ventures through diverse levels inspired by classic 8-bit and 16-bit games. Known for his distinctive pixel-art design and challenging gameplay, the character has gained significant popularity within the indie gaming community. Since his debut, Shovel Knight has appeared in various expansions and crossover titles.