Yoshi’s Crafted World Review: Good-Feel’s Whimsical Platformer Charms on Nintendo Switch

Yoshi’s Crafted World Review: Good-Feel’s Whimsical Platformer Charms on Nintendo Switch Since the release of the genre-defining Yoshi’s Island for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System over twenty years ago, Nintendo’s iconic green dinosaur has experienced a storied and sometimes turbulent journey through the world of platformers.

While follow-up titles such as Yoshi’s Story and Yoshi’s New Island met with mixed reactions due to uneven execution or reliance on gimmicks, a significant resurgence came in 2015 with the arrival of Yoshi’s Woolly World.

Developed by Good-Feel—the talented studio behind Kirby’s Epic Yarn—Woolly World reinvigorated the series, earning acclaim for its creativity, aesthetic charm, and refined gameplay mechanics. Following this success, Good-Feel was tasked with developing Yoshi’s Crafted World for the Nintendo Switch.

Released worldwide on March 29, 2019, Yoshi’s Crafted World sets itself apart with its imaginative use of arts-and-crafts themes, providing a tactile, diorama-like experience that is both visually inventive and true to the series’ creative roots.

Players once again take control of Yoshi, venturing through intricately designed levels rendered with cardboard, aluminum foil, plastic, and other everyday materials to evoke a sense of childlike wonder. Speaking on the series’ progression, Good-Feel’s creative leads have consistently emphasized the importance of blending traditional platformer elements with innovative presentation.

Yoshi’s Crafted World does just that—the game abandons the predominantly woolen visual style of its predecessor for a world lovingly constructed from household odds and ends.

Each level is a testament to creativity, filled with vibrant color and interactive features that distinguish it from prior Yoshi titles and even evoke comparisons to the aesthetics of LittleBigPlanet and the broader Mario universe. Mechanically, Yoshi’s Crafted World retains the beloved gameplay foundations: collecting red coins, flowers, and maintaining health, all of which now contribute to earning more flowers—an in-game currency essential for progression.

Yoshi’s egg-tossing mechanics have been enhanced, allowing players to aim more intuitively and even throw eggs into the background and foreground, capitalizing on the game’s new sense of depth and bringing an added dimension to the platforming experience. Level design stands out as a clear achievement.

Every stage introduces distinct themes and mechanics, ranging from assembling mecha-Yoshi contraptions to piloting toy planes, ensuring that the gameplay remains fresh throughout.

The introduction of “Flipsides”—reversed versions of each level with new objectives—adds replay value and variation, while souvenir hunts task players with finding specific items for unique challenges.

However, the implementation of souvenir hunts has drawn some criticism for feeling like unnecessary padding, as only one can be pursued at a time despite having multiple available per level. Though the game shines in visual charm and inspired level design, the soundtrack has received a less enthusiastic response.

The concise soundtrack, relying on simple instrumentation, does not always match the quality or variety found in earlier entries such as Woolly World or Kirby’s Epic Yarn.

Despite this, Yoshi’s Crafted World maintains a consistently high standard in presentation and accessibility, welcoming both series fans and newcomers alike. The game supports optional costumes, which serve as both cosmetic customization and a light layer of armor for Yoshi.

These costumes, while offering gameplay variation and accessibility options, have a gacha-style unlock mechanic that some players might find less satisfying compared to earlier collectible-driven systems. With approximately 40 main stages (not counting boss fights), Yoshi’s Crafted World may feel somewhat shorter than its predecessors.

Completing every challenge and obtaining every collectible, however, significantly extends playtime for dedicated fans.

While the difficulty is relatively balanced throughout, completionists may find the process more tedious than in previous entries. Ultimately, Yoshi’s Crafted World is a delightful addition to the Nintendo Switch catalog, exemplifying Good-Feel’s mastery of imaginative level design and inventive presentation.

While not every new idea lands perfectly, the game’s heart, visual creativity, and refined mechanics make it a standout platformer worthy of the Yoshi legacy and a must-play for Switch owners seeking a whimsical adventure. System: Nintendo Switch Release Date: March 29, 2019 Genres: Action, Platformer Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Good-Feel

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