Fans of retro-style action games have been waiting a long time for Mina the Hollower, and now the wait is finally almost over.
Developed by Yacht Club Games, the studio best known for Shovel Knight, this upcoming gothic action-adventure has slowly become one of the most anticipated indie games in recent years.
With its creepy atmosphere, Game Boy Color-inspired visuals, fast-paced combat, and huge interconnected world, Mina the Hollower looks like a mix of classic The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and Castlevania with a darker horror twist.
Here’s everything we know so far about the game.
What is the game about?
Mina the Hollower is a top-down action-adventure game where you control Mina, a mouse inventor and adventurer known as a “Hollower.” She travels to the mysterious Tenebrous Isle after powerful Spark Generators fail, plunging the island into chaos.
The game has gothic horror themes while still keeping the colorful retro charm Yacht Club Games is known for.
The developers have described it as their most ambitious project yet, featuring a massive interconnected world, deep combat systems, RPG mechanics, exploration, and challenging boss fights.
Release Date
After several delays, Yacht Club Games has officially confirmed that Mina the Hollower launches on May 29, 2026.
The game was originally planned for a Halloween 2025 release, but the studio delayed it to add additional polish and balance. According to the developers, the extra development time helped refine combat, level design, and overall game flow.
Platforms
Mina the Hollower will release on:
- PC (Steam)
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Mac
- Linux
The game is also expected to be fully compatible with handheld PC devices like the Steam Deck.
Gameplay
At first glance, Mina the Hollower looks like a classic Game Boy Color-era game, but underneath that retro art style is a surprisingly modern action RPG.
One of the biggest gameplay mechanics is Mina’s ability to burrow underground. You can quickly dig beneath enemies, dodge attacks, solve puzzles, and move through dangerous environments using this mechanic. Early previews say it feels fast, smooth, and extremely satisfying.
Combat focuses on aggressive melee attacks using Mina’s whip alongside sidearms, trinkets, and upgrades.
Yacht Club Games has confirmed More than 25 bosses and mini-bosses, 60 collectible trinkets, Hundreds of gameplay modifiers, and Optional side activities like fishing.
The game reportedly contains more screens and areas than the entirety of Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, which gives an idea of just how large this project has become.
Inspirations and Art Style
Yacht Club Games has openly discussed the inspirations behind Mina the Hollower, and the influences are easy to spot once you see the game in action.
The overall structure and exploration clearly take inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, while the darker atmosphere and gothic tone feel heavily influenced by Castlevania and even Bloodborne.
The developers are also drawing from classic Game Boy Color-era games and old-school horror storytelling to create a world that feels nostalgic.
Unlike many retro-inspired indie titles, the studio is staying surprisingly faithful to actual Game Boy Color limitations by using restricted color palettes and authentic pixel-art design rules.
At the same time, modern improvements like smoother animations and widescreen presentation help the game avoid feeling outdated. The result is a visual style that captures the charm of classic handheld games while still feeling modern and polished.
Music and Soundtrack
The soundtrack is being composed by Jake Kaufman, who previously worked on Shovel Knight. Legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro, known for classics like Streets of Rage, is also contributing guest tracks.
Based on trailers and demos, the music mixes eerie gothic melodies with energetic retro-inspired tracks.
Kickstarter Success and Long Development
Mina the Hollower was first revealed in 2022 through a Kickstarter campaign that quickly became a huge success.
The campaign raised over $1.2 million from more than 21,000 backers, with total crowdfunding support eventually crossing $1.4 million.
The game has now spent more than six years in development. Yacht Club Games has admitted that the project grew much larger than initially planned, which contributed to multiple delays and production challenges.
Despite that, previews and demos have been receiving very positive reactions from players.
Price
Yacht Club Games has confirmed that Mina the Hollower will launch at $19.99 USD digitally.Considering the game’s scale and content, pricing seems surprisingly affordable.
After years of waiting, the game finally seems close to release, and expectations are extremely high. If the final version delivers on everything shown so far, this could easily become one of 2026’s standout indie games.
