Getting Started

Overview

Welcome to Cuphead, a beautifully hand-drawn run-and-gun game that's as punishing as it is charming. This guide is designed to get you past the first-hour frustration and set you up for success. There is no character creation—you simply choose to play as Cuphead (player 1) or Mugman (player 2) if playing co-op. Your controls, UI, and early goals are the same for both.

First Hour Walkthrough

1. Tutorial – After the opening cutscene, you'll be dropped into a short tutorial. Pay close attention to the parry prompt (pink objects). Miss this and you'll struggle later.
2. Inkwell Isle One – You start on the world map. Immediately head to the first level: Botanic Panic (a run-and-gun stage). Complete it to earn your first coin and unlock the shop.
3. Visit Porkrind's Shop – Coins are your currency. Buy Spread (shotgun-like weapon) or Chaser (homing weapon) first. Do not buy charms yet.
4. Treetop Trouble – Another run-and-gun level. Practice jumping, dashing, and shooting while moving. Collect every coin you see.
5. First Boss: The Root Pack – A three-phase boss fight. Memorize patterns: the onion's tears, carrot's homing projectiles, and potato's mud balls. Use parry on pink items to charge your super.
6. Return to Shop – With 3–4 coins, buy the Smoke Bomb charm. This lets you dash through enemies—vital for surviving boss rush phases.
7. Attempt other Isle One bosses – Work your way through Goopy Le Grande and Ribby & Croaks. Each boss you defeat unlocks new paths and the next isle.

Controls

Tip: On PC, you can remap controls in the options menu. For beginners, consider changing Parry to a more comfortable key like `E` or `F`.

UI Overview

• Health Bar – Top left (player 1) and top right (player 2). You have 3 HP by default. Each hit loses one. Dying restarts from the last checkpoint or boss phase.


• Super Meter – Below health. Full card = 5 parries or one super use. You can store up to 5 cards.


• Coin Counter – Top center of the world map. Coins are spent at the shop. Never buy items until you have enough for essential gear.


• Inkwell Map – The hub. Levels and bosses are marked with symbols:

- Run-and-gun: A reticle icon.
- Boss: A boss portrait.
- Shop: Porkrind's face.
- Mausoleum: A tombstone (for parry challenges).



Essential Early Objectives




• Complete the tutorial – Don't skip. Master parry before anything else.


• Unlock the shop – Finish Botanic Panic.


• Buy Spread – Best all-around early weapon for close-range damage.


• Defeat The Root Pack – First boss teaches pattern recognition.


• Buy Smoke Bomb – Top priority charm. Dash through enemies and projectiles.


• Collect every coin – Each level has hidden coins. Replay run-and-gun stages to find them.




What to Do First (and What to Avoid)





✅ Do First



• Play the tutorial until you can parry 5 pink objects in a row.


• Enter Botanic Panic and focus on survival, not speed.


• Visit Porkrind's Shop after your first coin and buy Spread.


• Try Treetop Trouble next—it’s harder but teaches platforming.


• After 2 coins, buy Smoke Bomb.


• Face The Root Pack with Spread and Smoke Bomb. Dodge first, attack second.




❌ What to Avoid



• Don't buy the Peashot upgrade (you start with it; it’s fine).


• Don't buy Charge early—it requires precise aim and is harder for beginners.


• Don't attempt bosses without Smoke Bomb—you'll get hit far more often.


• Don't skip parry—you need it for supers and health (via the Parry Sugar charm later).


• Don't panic dash—dashing has a short cooldown; use it to evade, not to attack.




Early Resource Priorities



Coins are your only currency. You earn them from:

• Completing run-and-gun levels (2–3 coins each, plus hidden ones).


• Defeating bosses (1 coin each).


• Found in secret areas.




Best First Purchases (in order)


1. Spread (4 coins) – High damage, short range. Ideal for bosses.
2. Smoke Bomb (3 coins) – Lets you dash through enemy attacks. Game-changer.
3. Chaser (4 coins) – Homing bullets for difficult airborne enemies.
4. Super Art I: Energy Beam – After 5 purchases, unlock at the shop for free. Use it when boss is stunned.

Avoid buying weapons like Lobber or Roundabout until you've mastered basics.



Common Beginner Mistakes



1. Ignoring parry – It's not optional. Practice on pink objects in every level.
2. Not using dash – Dash has invincibility frames; use it to slip through bullet patterns.
3. Chasing coins during bosses – Focus on dodging. Coins only appear in run-and-gun levels.
4. Sticking with Peashooter – It's weak. Upgrade as soon as possible.
5. Overusing bombs (B button) – Bombs are limited and interrupt your shooting; rely on standard attacks.
6. Rushing into bosses – Watch the fight first, learn the patterns, then attack during safe windows.
7. Not using the in-game tutorial replay – You can re-enter Inkwell Isle's tutorial area anytime from the pause menu.



Day-One Checklist




• [ ] Install Cuphead via your platform’s store (Steam, Epic, Xbox, Nintendo eShop, PSN).


• [ ] Choose your character (Cuphead or Mugman).


• [ ] Complete the tutorial (master parry on pink objects).


• [ ] Play Botanic Panic and collect coins.


• [ ] Visit Porkrind's Shop and buy Spread.


• [ ] Play Treetop Trouble, collecting all coins.


• [ ] Buy Smoke Bomb charm.


• [ ] Defeat The Root Pack (first boss).


• [ ] Practice the boss a few times until you can beat it without losing more than 1 HP.


• [ ] Save your progress (game auto-saves after each level).


• [ ] Optional: Try Goopy Le Grande or Ribby & Croaks if you're feeling confident.

Congratulations—you've survived the first hour! The hardest part is over. Now focus on learning boss patterns and collecting coins for more weapons. Remember: Cuphead rewards patience and pattern recognition, not speed. Take breaks when frustrated, and come back with fresh eyes.