Cave Story+ endings guide: Kazuma, the normal escape and Sacred Grounds
Compare Cave Story+’s three main routes and the secret final-area prerequisites.
Edition covered
Cave Story+ builds on the 2004 freeware Cave Story. These pictures are the 2011 PC Steam edition; Switch-specific additions and Cave Story 3D are not assumed by the route instructions.
The early escape ends the adventure early
When Kazuma offers to leave on the dragon, accepting ends that route before the final confrontation. Refuse and continue if aiming for the normal or best ending.
| Ending route | Trigger | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Early escape | Accept Kazuma’s offer to leave | Reach his dragon scene |
| Normal ending | Defeat the final sequence and escape normally | Complete the main campaign |
| Best ending | Enter Sacred Grounds and defeat Ballos | Complete the Curly and Booster chain |
| Challenge replays | Separate modes in Cave Story+ | Check the selected mode’s rules |
The normal ending follows the final bosses
Continue through the Doctor’s sequence and the Undead Core, then escape the collapsing island by the ordinary route. This does not require every secret weapon or challenge.
| Best-route check | Required state | Common myth to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Booster | Have the v2.0 route available | v0.8 is not an equivalent substitute |
| Curly | Rescued, drained and carried onward | Leaving her in the cabin is not enough |
| Memory | Ma Pignon given and Iron Bond obtained | Rescuing her once is not the full chain |
| Final escape | Enter the Prefab Building | The ordinary jump ends the normal route |
| Weapon choice | A usable combat loadout | The Spur is not mandatory for entry |
The best route needs the rescue chain
Preserve Booster v2.0, rescue and drain Curly, restore her memory and obtain the Iron Bond. After the Undead Core, enter the Prefab Building instead of simply jumping away from the island.
Sacred Grounds is a combat commitment
The secret area leads toward Ballos and is substantially harder than the ordinary escape. Arrive with a weapon plan, health and practised movement; the Spur is helpful but not an entry requirement.
Check the rescue prerequisites before the Labyrinth; the final boss room is too late to repair every missed step.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Cave Story+ publisher listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Cave Story ending prerequisites | cavestory.fandom.com |
| Curly rescue procedure discussion | gaming.stackexchange.com |