Mina the Hollower review: Yacht Club Games’ Zelda-inspired action on Nintendo Switch
Background
Mina the Hollower is the second original flagship release from Yacht Club Games, the developer that rose to prominence with the Kickstarter-backed hit Shovel Knight in the early 2010s.
Mina launched for Nintendo Switch and Windows (Steam) on January 25, 2024 and is available through the Nintendo eShop on Switch.
The title revisits classic top-down action-adventure design with modern systems and strong retro presentation.
Overview and core mechanics
Mina the Hollower plays as a top-down action-adventure with light RPG elements and clear inspiration from Game Boy and Game Boy Color-era Zelda entries.
Players control Mina, a Hollower by trade, who uses a signature hollowing ability to dig, traverse, and fight.
The hollowing mechanic speeds movement, allows digging under obstacles, grants access to underground spaces, augments jump distance, and is essential for combat.
Mina’s above-ground movement is intentionally slower than many foes, so learning to dig tactically becomes central to combat rhythm.
Weapons, progression, and resources
Weapons are introduced early and expand into multiple types that can be upgraded by finding duplicate weapons.
Players can swap gear at hideouts and experiment to match playstyle or particular encounters.
The primary currency, bones, is earned from enemies and used to buy items and level up.
The leveling choices echo older action-RPG systems where players pick upgrades and subsequent levels cost more.
Mina carries a Spark that protects collected bones: if she dies while holding the Spark, the Spark is taken by the enemy that defeated her and bones are lost unless the player reclaims it.
Hideouts function as checkpoints where Mina can restore health vials and convert bones into secure gems.
Health vials operate in a Souls-like fashion: once used, they are replenished only at the next hideout.
Sub-weapons consume an energy resource called Joules and behave similarly to sub-weapons in classic Castlevania or Ninja Gaiden titles; Joules are common but are lost on death.
Exploration and structure
Trinkets found through the world provide permanent enhancements and gate access to additional areas.
After an opening segment, Mina the Hollower permits a degree of player choice in the order of areas tackled, offering both an intended progression and alternative routes for players seeking a stiffer challenge.
A first playthrough can take around 20 hours, depending on completion goals.
Presentation and audio
The visual design channels Game Boy Color palettes with detailed pixel work, while the soundtrack features contributions from Jake Kaufman and veteran composer Yuzo Koshiro.
World design emphasizes distinct locales, secrets, and layered exploration.
Verdict and publisher notes
In journalistic terms, Mina the Hollower represents a polished follow-up from Yacht Club Games that expands on the studio’s strengths in tight mechanics, presentation, and design.
The game delivers satisfying combat, thoughtful exploration, and robust customization options.
In our review of the Nintendo Switch release—using a review copy provided by Yacht Club Games—we awarded the title a 10/10.
Mina the Hollower is recommended for players who enjoy top-down action-adventure games, retro-inspired aesthetics, and deep mechanical systems on Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam).
Background
Mina the Hollower is the second original flagship release from Yacht Club Games, the developer that rose to prominence with the Kickstarter-backed hit Shovel Knight in the early 2010s.
Mina launched for Nintendo Switch and Windows (Steam) on January 25, 2024 and is available through the Nintendo eShop on Switch.
The title revisits classic top-down action-adventure design with modern systems and strong retro presentation.
Overview and core mechanics
Mina the Hollower plays as a top-down action-adventure with light RPG elements and clear inspiration from Game Boy and Game Boy Color-era Zelda entries.
Players control Mina, a Hollower by trade, who uses a signature hollowing ability to dig, traverse, and fight.
The hollowing mechanic speeds movement, allows digging under obstacles, grants access to underground spaces, augments jump distance, and is essential for combat.
Mina’s above-ground movement is intentionally slower than many foes, so learning to dig tactically becomes central to combat rhythm.
Weapons, progression, and resources
Weapons are introduced early and expand into multiple types that can be upgraded by finding duplicate weapons.
Players can swap gear at hideouts and experiment to match playstyle or particular encounters.
The primary currency, bones, is earned from enemies and used to buy items and level up.
The leveling choices echo older action-RPG systems where players pick upgrades and subsequent levels cost more.
Mina carries a Spark that protects collected bones: if she dies while holding the Spark, the Spark is taken by the enemy that defeated her and bones are lost unless the player reclaims it.
Hideouts function as checkpoints where Mina can restore health vials and convert bones into secure gems.
Health vials operate in a Souls-like fashion: once used, they are replenished only at the next hideout.
Sub-weapons consume an energy resource called Joules and behave similarly to sub-weapons in classic Castlevania or Ninja Gaiden titles; Joules are common but are lost on death.
Exploration and structure
Trinkets found through the world provide permanent enhancements and gate access to additional areas.
After an opening segment, Mina the Hollower permits a degree of player choice in the order of areas tackled, offering both an intended progression and alternative routes for players seeking a stiffer challenge.
A first playthrough can take around 20 hours, depending on completion goals.
Presentation and audio
The visual design channels Game Boy Color palettes with detailed pixel work, while the soundtrack features contributions from Jake Kaufman and veteran composer Yuzo Koshiro.
World design emphasizes distinct locales, secrets, and layered exploration.
Verdict and publisher notes
In journalistic terms, Mina the Hollower represents a polished follow-up from Yacht Club Games that expands on the studio’s strengths in tight mechanics, presentation, and design.
The game delivers satisfying combat, thoughtful exploration, and robust customization options.
In our review of the Nintendo Switch release—using a review copy provided by Yacht Club Games—we awarded the title a 10/10.
Mina the Hollower is recommended for players who enjoy top-down action-adventure games, retro-inspired aesthetics, and deep mechanical systems on Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam).
