More than a decade after Shovel Knight put Yacht Club Games on the map, the studio finally releases its next title: Mina The Hollower. This retro-inspired action-adventure pays homage to handheld classics like Zelda: Link's Awakening, but its lengthy development has put the studio in jeopardy. Originally conceived by developer Alec Faulkner as a coding exercise, the game was funded via Kickstarter by fans eager for a Game Boy Color-style experience.
A Heroic Mouse with a Burrowing Ability
The protagonist is Mina, a mouse folk hero and inventor who helped bring an industrial revolution to Tenebrous Isle by designing spark generators. Years later, the generators are failing, and eldritch horrors plague the land. It falls to Mina to restore order. The plot is thin, with predictable twists and minimal exposition—faithful to the Game Boy Color era. But the focus is on action, not storytelling.
Weapons and Combat
Players choose from three weapons: a maul, daggers, or the Nightstar whip. Sidearms provide secondary attacks, while hollowing allows Mina to tunnel underground to evade damage, flank enemies, or navigate obstacles. The combat is simple yet satisfying, with a varied roster of foes.
Exploration and Secrets
Tenebrous Isle is a Gothic puzzle box filled with secrets: hidden bone stashes, tunnels, trinkets that grant permanent buffs, and secret merchants. Each region—from snowy Coltrane Peak to Halloween-themed Septemberg—offers unique challenges. Exploration is rewarded with constant discoveries, and the map design encourages thorough investigation.
Difficulty and Customization
The game is unapologetically tough; some enemies can defeat Mina in one hit early on. However, customizable modifiers allow players to adjust difficulty: unlimited lives for boss battles, higher damage taken, or bone loss upon death. This flexibility ensures accessibility without sacrificing challenge.
Retro Aesthetics and Presentation
Yacht Club Games faithfully replicates Game Boy Color limitations, using four colors per tile and no 3D elements. The pixel art is charming, though occasionally hard to parse. The audio and visual design evoke nostalgia while feeling fresh.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Clever map design filled with secrets, enjoyable combat, impressive enemy variety, and welcome custom difficulty settings. Cons: Thin plot despite a complex premise, and sometimes confusing visuals.
Score: 8/10
Formats: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Price: £17.75
Publisher: Yacht Club Games
Developer: Yacht Club Games
Release Date: 29th May 2026
Age Rating: 7
