Cuphead (partially found cut early builds from 2D boss rush platformer; 2017)

Cuphead artwork.

Status: Partially Found

Cuphead is a 2D boss rush platformer made and published by StudioMDHR Entertainment. The game has been praised for its heavily 1930s inspired cartoon style and is widely regarded as one of the hardest video games ever made.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Cuphead can be summed up with this: for run & gun levels, you run to the right, shoot everything in sight, and try to stay alive; while in boss battles, you shoot the boss, dodge its attacks and try to stay alive.

Cut Content

Although Cuphead was released in 2017, the game was delayed a couple of times. It was originally slated to be released somewhere around 2014, according to a teaser trailer released in 2013. It was originally going to be a "boss rush" type of game where you have to defeat each boss in order to progress, but it went through many development changes over time. Since its delay, most of the content from the supposed demo or beta either got removed or had been left out inside the game's files.^[1]^[2]^[3] Here are the contents that got cut out over time:

Bosses

The Devil Bat (can be seen in the E3 2014 trailer)
Squid (can be seen in the video "Cuphead Gameplay" by Tom's Guide)
The Spider (only appears in screenshots, presumably wasn't made or never finished)
Double Goopy (only appears in the teaser trailer)
Pachinko (can be fought by debugging, it even had a death quote)
Light (can also be fought by debugging, most likely a test level for an unfinished boss)
Card (can also be fought by debugging, most likely a test level for an unfinished boss named "King Card")

Attacks

Triple Laser/Wide Shot (it fires three shots in one direction, it was replaced by Spread)
Ranger/Exploder (can be seen on the teaser and the 2014 trailer, they're circular and explode when in contact with the enemies but when used in-game, they just pop instead of exploding, they're also different in terms of design)
Arc (they fire in an arc, and they're shaped like stars, it was replaced by Lobber)
Plane Laser (the only attack that can only be equipped using the Cheat engine, They look and had the same function as the peashooter)
Arcade Peashooter (can be equipped by debugging, the game will softlock as soon as you equip it)

Charms

Shield/Pit Saver (they prevent you from getting damaged from falling into pits, they also extend your invincibility time)

Conclusion

Although most of these contents can't be encountered by normal gameplay, they can still be found in the game's file and its possible to use them in-game by debugging the game or by manipulating the values of save files. As for the bosses, it's unknown if they'll ever be returned for the sequel (if there are plans for a sequel, which has not been officially confirmed).