There are games players rush through, and then there are games meant to be savored. Mina the Hollower firmly belongs in the latter category. From the moment the adventure begins, the newest title from Yacht Club Games invites players to slow down, explore every corner, and embrace curiosity. Rather than simply recreating retro aesthetics, Mina the Hollower understands what made classic handheld adventure games memorable in the first place. The result is one of the best indie games of the year and another standout release from the studio behind Shovel Knight.

A Modern Celebration of Classic Zelda Design

Much of Mina the Hollower’s appeal comes from how strongly it channels the spirit of classic games like The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages, Oracle of Seasons, and Link’s Awakening. However, the game does more than imitate those inspirations. Instead, it modernizes the design philosophy behind them. Older adventure games often trusted players to figure things out on their own. They encouraged experimentation, rewarded exploration, and created memorable moments through discovery. Mina the Hollower captures that exact energy beautifully.

There are countless moments where hidden paths, secrets, or strange discoveries feel intentionally designed to spark conversation between players. It recalls the feeling of discussing discoveries with friends on the playground or sharing secrets online years later. That sense of adventure feels increasingly rare in modern gaming, which makes Mina the Hollower feel especially refreshing.

Gorgeous Pixel Art and Expressive Animation

Visually, Mina the Hollower is stunning. The pixel art is detailed and atmospheric, but what stands out most is how expressive the animation work is. Tiny movements and subtle single-pixel changes communicate emotion in surprisingly effective ways. Mina herself quickly becomes an incredibly endearing protagonist simply through animation and visual storytelling. Yacht Club Games continues to prove its strength in world-building as well. Every environment feels lived in, and the supporting cast gives the world a strong sense of personality. Even smaller details, like the game’s in-world manual, add to the immersion. Acting as both a retro-inspired instruction booklet and modern lore compendium, it helps deepen the setting while reinforcing the game’s nostalgic identity.

Accessibility Options Modernize the Retro Formula

While Mina the Hollower proudly embraces old-school challenge and design, it also smartly modernizes the experience through extensive accessibility features. Players can customize numerous gameplay settings, adjust difficulty-related elements, and tailor the experience to match their comfort level. That flexibility helps the game remain approachable without sacrificing its intended tension or sense of accomplishment. Importantly, the game avoids falling into the trap of recreating outdated frustrations simply for the sake of nostalgia. Instead, Yacht Club Games focuses on preserving the spirit of classic adventure games while making them more welcoming for modern audiences. That balance is one of the game’s greatest strengths.

A Portable Adventure

The soundtrack deserves special praise as well. From haunting atmospheric tracks to energetic chiptune-inspired compositions, the music consistently elevates exploration and combat alike. The soundtrack gives Mina the Hollower a powerful identity that lingers long after playing.

The game also feels exceptionally well-suited for handheld play. Playing primarily on Steam Deck creates an experience reminiscent of classic Game Boy Advance adventures, making the nostalgic inspiration feel even stronger. Whether on handheld devices or traditional consoles, Mina the Hollower feels polished and rewarding, though portable play may ultimately be the ideal way to experience it.

Editor’s note: Myles here! I was fortunate enough to play Mina the Hollower on the Nintendo Switch 2, and am beyond impressed both by how it runs and how smooth the visuals are. I played docked and handheld, with the latter feeling like the definitive way to experience a game like this. I’m only a few hours in, but so far I’ve seen no real performance dips or issues. The controls are extremely responsive, with no latency resulting in any unearned deaths – just me being bad at the game. If you’re looking to pick up Mina, make sure you find a way to play it handheld. I would have enjoyed something like a CRT filter when playing on the big screen, however.

Verdict

Mina the Hollower feels like a reminder of why so many players fell in love with adventure games in the first place. The game constantly rewards players for exploring, experimenting, and engaging with its world on a deeper level. Combined with fantastic pixel art, memorable music, strong accessibility options, and thoughtful world-building, the result is an easy recommendation for nearly anyone interested in indie games or retro-inspired adventures. Outside of players who simply dislike pixel art aesthetics altogether, it is difficult not to recommend Mina the Hollower. It’s a phenomenal indie game, a standout adventure, and one of Yacht Club Games’ best releases yet.

Kurosh’s Score: 10/10

Reviewed code provided by the publisher. Reviewed on PC.

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