Hollow Knight is an exploration-focused action adventure set in Hallownest, an interconnected world where you choose routes, find new paths, fight enemies, and gain abilities. If you are starting out or have lost your bearings, focus on three things: check the map tools available to you, confirm the controls for your platform, and treat a blocked path as a reason to explore elsewhere.
How Hollow Knight’s exploration loop works
Nintendo describes Hollow Knight as a single-player, 2D action adventure through caverns, cities, and dangerous areas. It is not built around one fixed route: exploration, combat, and discovery lead to new spells and movement abilities, while charms can be equipped to add abilities. That means a route you cannot yet take does not necessarily signal that you have missed a required step; keep exploring accessible areas and return when you have learned more.
Nintendo’s US Nintendo Switch product page lists four included content packs—Hidden Dreams, The Grimm Troupe, Lifeblood, and Godmaster—and advertises over 140 enemies and 30 bosses. Those are publisher-provided feature counts, not independent measurements. Nintendo’s Hollow Knight product page
How to use the map when you are lost
Nintendo lists maps, quills, a compass, and pins among the game’s mapping tools. Use the in-game map and its available markers to orient yourself and note places worth revisiting. Check your platform’s controls for the quick-map action and inventory action rather than relying on a button label from another platform.
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- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Explore a vast interconnected world of forgotten highways, overgrown wilds and ruined cities.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!.Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favourites and make your journey unique!.An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation..
The sources cited here establish that these map tools exist, but not a fully verified early-game route or the exact steps for buying maps. If you want a printed map, a Japanese physical release documented by Fangamer Japan included a foldout Hallownest map and an original manual. That is a regional product detail, not a guarantee that the same package is available in your region or on every platform. Fangamer Japan’s release page
Check the controls for your platform
Hollow Knight’s controls can be remapped on PC and console releases, so treat the following as default references, not guaranteed current bindings. The Hollow Knight Wiki lists these keyboard and Nintendo Switch defaults; check the in-game settings for your actual bindings. Hollow Knight Wiki controls reference
Rank #2
![Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nXCF+sf5L._SL160_.jpg)
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!
- Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favorites and make your journey unique!
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
| Action | Keyboard default | Nintendo Switch default |
|---|---|---|
| Jump | Z | B |
| Attack | X | Y |
| Focus/cast | A | A |
| Dash | C | ZR |
| Inventory | I | Minus |
| Quick map | Tab | LB |
Other controller layouts differ. When following advice written for another device, translate button names into actions such as “jump” or “quick map,” then check or remap the corresponding action in settings.
Fix a PC controller that is not detected or behaves strangely
Team Cherry’s official PC help page is the right starting point for controller issues. It says the game has been updated to use Unity’s new Input System and that platform-specific options are available in Advanced Settings, including an option to switch back to the previous input system. This is troubleshooting guidance, not a guarantee that changing the input system will resolve every controller problem. Team Cherry’s FAQ and help page
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Rank #3
![Hollow Knight: Silksong Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mOgOC8xEL._SL160_.jpg)
- Discover the fallen insect kingdom of Pharloom! Explore mossy grottos, gilded cities and misted moors as you ascend to the shining citadel at the top of the world.
- Engage in lethal acrobatic action! Wield a huge suite of deadly moves as you dance between foes in swift, beautiful combat.
- Craft powerful tools! Master an ever-expanding arsenal of weapons, traps, and mechanisms to vanquish your enemies and explore new heights.
- Solve shocking quests! Hunt down rare beasts and solve ancient mysteries to grant the wishes of the downtrodden and restore the kingdom’s hope.
- Face over 200 ferocious foes! Beasts and hunters, monsters and knights. Defeat them all with bravery and skill!
- Open Hollow Knight’s settings and find Advanced Settings.
- Review the platform-specific input options and, if the new system is causing trouble, try switching back to the previous input system.
- Return to the game and check whether the controller is detected and its actions behave as expected. If the issue persists, use Team Cherry’s help page for further support.
What to know about physical editions
The documented Japanese physical release page lists Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC, a December 12, 2019 release date, and Fangamer Japan as publisher; it also identifies a foldout Hallownest map and original manual in the package. These details describe that regional release. Check the listing and platform carefully before buying, because they do not establish current stock or availability elsewhere. Fangamer Japan’s release page
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
- Leap into minds with the Dream Nail. Uncover a whole other side to the characters you meet and the enemies you face.
Rank #4
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
- Leap into minds with the Dream Nail. Uncover a whole other side to the characters you meet and the enemies you face.
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