Montabi lands on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on August 6, 2026, from indie developer Mankibo and publisher Akupara Games.
Reviewed on Nintendo Switch, the title blends creature collection, roguelike runs, deckbuilding and tactical grid combat into a compact package designed for repeatable runs and strategic experimentation.
Development reset and design intent
Mankibo made a deliberate decision during development to rebuild Montabi from the ground up rather than ship an earlier iteration they were not satisfied with.
In journalistic terms: the studio elected to scrap and restart substantial portions of the project to realize a different vision for the game.
That choice is central to Montabi’s final design, which prioritizes systems that interlock—creature toolkits, positioning on a tactical grid, and run-based progression.
Gameplay and systems
Montabi defines itself as a creature-collecting roguelike.
Each run is self-contained: you recruit Montabi, compose a team, acquire equipment and passive upgrades, and attempt to progress as far as possible before the run concludes.
The game’s structure emphasizes branching choices and run-to-run variability rather than a single persistent campaign.
Combat unfolds on a tactical grid where positioning, movement and attack ranges matter as much as the cards in your creatures’ decks.
Creatures introduce unique decks and toolkits when recruited, making each new Montabi a distinct strategic option rather than just another stat block.
This approach encourages team-building based on playstyle synergies and evolving strategies, with creature evolution and trainer-level progression providing meaningful mid-run upgrades.
Player experience and design notes
Review impressions note Montabi’s successful melding of inspirations.
The run-based decision-making echoes elements familiar to fans of deckbuilders, while the grid-based movement evokes tactical titles where placement is critical.
Items and passive bonuses discovered during runs force continuous reassessment of strategy, and the randomness inherent to roguelikes serves as both challenge and teaching tool—losing runs often yield practical lessons for future attempts.
Standout elements and accessibility
Characters such as Wishly, highlighted in reviewer sessions, demonstrate how creature design ties into mechanical identity: aesthetic appeal combined with a kit that emphasizes battlefield manipulation.
Recruiting feels approachable, with systems designed to reduce unnecessary grind and to reward experimentation with new team compositions.
Conclusion
Montabi is a compact, mechanically focused roguelike that launched for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on August 6, 2026.
Mankibo’s decision to rebuild the title is reflected in tightly integrated systems that reward experimentation and strategic play.
Review copy provided by the publisher.
Reviewed on Nintendo Switch, the title blends creature collection, roguelike runs, deckbuilding and tactical grid combat into a compact package designed for repeatable runs and strategic experimentation.
Development reset and design intent
Mankibo made a deliberate decision during development to rebuild Montabi from the ground up rather than ship an earlier iteration they were not satisfied with.
In journalistic terms: the studio elected to scrap and restart substantial portions of the project to realize a different vision for the game.
That choice is central to Montabi’s final design, which prioritizes systems that interlock—creature toolkits, positioning on a tactical grid, and run-based progression.
Gameplay and systems
Montabi defines itself as a creature-collecting roguelike.
Each run is self-contained: you recruit Montabi, compose a team, acquire equipment and passive upgrades, and attempt to progress as far as possible before the run concludes.
The game’s structure emphasizes branching choices and run-to-run variability rather than a single persistent campaign.
Combat unfolds on a tactical grid where positioning, movement and attack ranges matter as much as the cards in your creatures’ decks.
Creatures introduce unique decks and toolkits when recruited, making each new Montabi a distinct strategic option rather than just another stat block.
This approach encourages team-building based on playstyle synergies and evolving strategies, with creature evolution and trainer-level progression providing meaningful mid-run upgrades.
Player experience and design notes
Review impressions note Montabi’s successful melding of inspirations.
The run-based decision-making echoes elements familiar to fans of deckbuilders, while the grid-based movement evokes tactical titles where placement is critical.
Items and passive bonuses discovered during runs force continuous reassessment of strategy, and the randomness inherent to roguelikes serves as both challenge and teaching tool—losing runs often yield practical lessons for future attempts.
Standout elements and accessibility
Characters such as Wishly, highlighted in reviewer sessions, demonstrate how creature design ties into mechanical identity: aesthetic appeal combined with a kit that emphasizes battlefield manipulation.
Recruiting feels approachable, with systems designed to reduce unnecessary grind and to reward experimentation with new team compositions.
Conclusion
Montabi is a compact, mechanically focused roguelike that launched for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on August 6, 2026.
Mankibo’s decision to rebuild the title is reflected in tightly integrated systems that reward experimentation and strategic play.
Review copy provided by the publisher.
