how to get all coins in cuphead

Cuphead, the notoriously challenging run-and-gun masterpiece from Studio MDHR, is as much a test of perseverance as it is a test of skill. Beyond the primary goal of defeating bosses and running through platforming levels lies a compelling secondary objective: coin collection. These shiny tokens are the currency for purchasing powerful new weapons and helpful Charms from Porkrind's Emporium, directly influencing your chances of success. This guide is dedicated to the comprehensive pursuit of wealth, detailing every method on how to get all coins in Cuphead.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Coin Economy
Coins in Run 'n Gun Levels
Hidden Coins in the Overworld
The Mausoleum Challenges
Boss Fight Bonuses
Strategic Purchasing at Porkrind's Emporium
Conclusion: The Rewards of Diligence

Understanding the Coin Economy

The economy in Cuphead is fixed and finite. There is no grinding or farming; every coin in the game is placed in a specific, static location. In total, players can acquire 33 coins in a single playthrough without exploiting glitches. This scarcity makes each discovery crucial and mandates thorough exploration. Missing even a few coins can lock you out of key upgrades, significantly altering the difficulty curve of later battles. Therefore, a systematic approach to collection is not just beneficial but essential for optimizing your arsenal.

Coins in Run 'n Gun Levels

The six Run 'n Gun levels are the most straightforward source of income, each containing five coins. However, acquiring them is rarely simple. These coins are often placed in perilous locations, requiring precise platforming, clever use of weapons like the Chaser to hit distant targets, or solving minor environmental puzzles. A key strategy is to prioritize coin collection over combat. Enemies are infinite in these levels, but coins are not. It is often wiser to dash past foes, grab the coin, and accept a potential hit rather than engage in a prolonged fight that risks a knockout. Completing a Run 'n Gun level pacifist-style (without killing any enemies) awards a special medal but does not yield extra coins; the coins themselves must be collected manually during the run.

Hidden Coins in the Overworld

The Inkwell Isles overworld itself is dotted with hidden coins, rewarding players who interact with every curious detail. These require a keen eye and a willingness to experiment. Several coins are concealed within breakable objects like trees, signposts, or tombstones. Others are granted by speaking to specific NPCs multiple times or fulfilling their simple requests. For instance, a character near the mausoleum may ask for a quiet moment, and respecting his wish later yields a reward. Thoroughly scouring each island screen, shooting at background objects, and talking to everyone is a fundamental step in ensuring no coin is left behind.

The Mausoleum Challenges

Scattered across the islands are three Mausoleums, each housing a challenging "Shoot 'Em Up" style ghost fight. Successfully parrying the pink ghosts and defeating the spectral boss within the time limit is the objective. While the primary reward for clearing all three is a new Super Art, each Mausoleum completion also grants a single, valuable coin. These coins are effectively tied to mastering the parry mechanic, a core skill in Cuphead. Therefore, conquering the Mausoleums serves a dual purpose: it enhances your combat capabilities through new Supers and provides essential funding for further upgrades at Porkrind's.

Boss Fight Bonuses

While boss fights themselves do not drop coins during the battle, they contribute to your wealth through expert ranking bonuses. Defeating any boss on Regular difficulty while achieving a high grade (A- or above) does not yield coins. However, the true test lies in Expert mode, unlocked after completing the game once. While immensely challenging, defeating bosses on Expert difficulty is not a source of coins either. The direct monetary link to bosses is indirect; the coins gathered from other sources are used to buy the weapons that make these formidable fights manageable. Furthermore, achieving a Pacifist rank in Run 'n Gun levels, though unrelated to bosses, is a mark of skill but, again, does not provide additional currency beyond the five coins found in the level.

Strategic Purchasing at Porkrind's Emporium

Acquiring all coins is only half the battle; spending them wisely at Porkrind's Emporium is the other. With 33 total coins, you cannot afford every weapon and Charm. This necessitates strategic planning based on your playstyle. Early purchases should focus on versatility. The Spread shot is invaluable for close-range damage, while the Chaser, though weaker, is essential for hitting elusive targets and collecting hard-to-reach coins in Run 'n Gun levels. The Smoke Bomb Charm, which grants a brief invisibility during dashes, is considered by many to be the best overall investment for surviving tough patterns. Prioritize weapons that cover different ranges and a survival-oriented Charm before experimenting with more specialized tools like the Roundabout or the damaging Heart or Twin Heart Charms. A misstep in purchasing can force a player to triumph with a suboptimal loadout.

Conclusion: The Rewards of Diligence

The quest for all coins in Cuphead is a parallel journey to the main campaign, teaching resource management, thorough exploration, and mechanical precision. It transforms the player from a mere survivor into a connoisseur of the game's design, noticing hidden details and overcoming optional platforming challenges. The 33 coins represent not just currency, but 33 individual tests of observation and skill. Successfully securing this finite wealth unlocks the full spectrum of tactical options Cuphead offers, turning seemingly impossible boss patterns into manageable puzzles. Ultimately, knowing how to get all coins is about empowering yourself. It is the deliberate process of gathering every available tool to face the monumental challenges ahead, ensuring that when you stand before the Devil himself, you do so not with what you found, but with exactly what you chose.

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