Swedish developer Nifflas released the original Knytt as a free Windows PC platformer in 2006, spawning a beloved series that includes Knytt Stories and Knytt Underground. To mark its 20th anniversary, the original game has now been rebuilt and re-released as Knytt Classic, giving a modern audience access to the title that launched the franchise. The remake was developed by Bit Kid, the studio behind Chasm and Wolfhound, whose founder James Petruzzi said the project felt "joyful and almost meditative" to work on.

Knytt Classic, announced and released this Monday, rebuilds the original pixel-perfect for modern hardware and remains free to play, as the 2006 version was. It preserves the game's slow-paced "zen-like" platforming, in which players guide the titular creature across an alien planet to gather parts for a ship home. New additions include an achievement list, full gamepad support, retro display filters such as CRT and handheld LCD styles, and two tougher modes, "UltraTough" and "Brutally Unfair Knytt", plus an Extra Hard mode designed by Baba Is You creator Hempuli. It is available now on Linux, macOS and Windows PC.