- Developed and published by Yacht Club Games, $1.2 million in Kickstarter funding → Completed after 4 years of development
- Metacritic score of 92–93, highest-rated game of 2026, 55,000 copies sold on Steam Day 1… Goal: 1 million copies
The sequel to ‘Shovel Knight,’ which recorded cumulative sales of over 3 million copies and revenue of over $20 million, has been completed over approximately four years by the development team and has emerged as a new hot topic in the 2026 game market.
Mina the Hollower, a top-down action adventure developed and published in-house by Yacht Club Games, was released simultaneously on all platforms including PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and PC (Steam, GOG, and Humble Store) on May 29.
Immediately after its release, the game received enthusiastic acclaim from critics, scoring in the 92–93 range on Metacritic. In particular, it is demonstrating its presence by surpassing major AAA titles such as ‘Forza Horizon 6’ and ‘Resident Evil Requiem’ to become the highest-rated game of 2026.
Initial sales figures on Steam are also impressive. According to released initial estimates, global sales reached approximately 55,000 units immediately after launch, although console sales figures have not yet been reflected. The relatively low price of $19.99 is also cited as a factor in its success.
Overclocked Game Boy Color vibes… ‘Tenebrus Isle’ perfected by Gothic horror
Mina the Hollower is a modern reinterpretation of the 8-bit retro aesthetics of the Game Boy Color era. Combining fast and precise 60FPS action combat, a top-down exploration structure, and sophisticated world design, it embodies both the nostalgia of classic games and a modern sense of action.
The cursed island of Tenebrous Isle, reached by ship, has been completed as a unique space that adds the distinctive sense of exploration characteristic of the classic Zelda series to a Gothic horror atmosphere.
GameReactor, a media outlet specializing in gaming, highly praised the game, stating, “It feels like an overclocked Game Boy Color game,” and noting that “unbelievable detail and personality are packed into a limited pixel style.” Along with this, the environmental design, animation, and the creation of a dark yet strangely captivating atmosphere are also receiving high praise.
Jake Kaufman and Yuzo Koshiro Collaborate… “A Soundtrack That Won’t Leave Your Head”
The music is also considered a core strength of the work. Jake Kaufman, well known for the Shovel Knight series, handled the main soundtrack, and the Bare Knuckle and Ys series Japanese game music maestro Yuzo Koshiro participated in two guest tracks.
Overseas reviewers described the soundtrack as “music that lingers in your mind” and “a melancholic and menacing yet strangely cozy sensibility.” It is noted that the fast-paced music amplifies tension during combat sections, while effectively heightening the eerie atmosphere characteristic of Gothic fantasy during exploration.
The organic connection between exploration and combat perfected by ‘Hollowing’ mechanics
The game’s core system is ‘Hollowing,’ the protagonist Mina’s ability to burrow underground. Going beyond simple evasion, this feature organically connects various gameplay elements—such as dodge rolls, movement, jumping, puzzle solving, and exploring secret routes—into a single system, serving as the central axis that drives the overall flow of combat and exploration.
Overseas media outlets RPG Site and Shacknews analyzed this, stating, “Rather than a simple ‘Link’s Adventure’-style structure, it is actually closer to ‘Elden Ring’ in terms of world design, which emphasizes interconnectedness and hidden causality.”
The accessibility options are also comprehensive. It offers various settings, such as invincibility mode, disabling fall damage, and adjusting enemy health, expanding the range of difficulty adjustments.
“A work on which the studio’s fate depends”… The challenge toward the 1 million copy target
Me: The Hollower is a project that holds significance beyond a simple new release. In a past interview, Yacht Club Games co-founder Sean Velasco described the title as the studio’s “make or break” title, acknowledging that its commercial success is directly linked to the company’s future.
The project launched in 2022 by raising approximately $1.2 million through a Kickstarter campaign, but experienced several delays in release as development scaled up and content was added.
Nevertheless, the current launch performance is positive. Initial Steam sales alone are showing a trend that surpasses the initial sales pace of ‘Shovel Knight’. In a recent interview, Sean Velasco expressed strong confidence, stating, “I will be disappointed if we do not reach 1 million sales.”
User response is also very positive. On Steam, over thousands of user reviews accumulated immediately after launch, maintaining an ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ rating. Players cite the intricate pixel art, gothic world, satisfying action combat, and the fun of exploration created by the ‘Hollowing’ mechanics as its main strengths.
In particular, it is receiving praise such as “a modern reinterpretation of the Game Boy Color era Zelda” and “an ideal balance of retro sensibility and modern design,” with some users commenting that Yacht Club Games has created another masterpiece following ‘Shovel Knight’.
Blending classic Zelda-style exploration, the somber atmosphere of Gothic horror, sophisticated action design, and modern reinterpretations of pixel art, ‘Mina the Hollow’ goes beyond a mere recreation of retro aesthetics. Yacht Club Games, which left a strong impression on indie game history with ‘Shovel Knight,’ is once again challenging new possibilities by reshaping the familiar conventions of classic games with their own unique flair.
This work, which started under the burden of being a ‘make or break’ project on which the studio’s future depends, is expected to be a key point of interest in the 2026 indie game market as to whether it can surpass the glory of its predecessor and be remembered as a classic of a new era.
Information regarding ‘Mina the Hollower’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer / Publisher | Yacht Club Games |
| Genre | Top-down Action Adventure / Gothic Horror / Indie |
| Release platform | PS5 / Xbox Series X|S / Nintendo Switch·Switch 2 / PC (Steam·GOG·Humble Store) / Mac·Linux |
| Release date | May 29, 2026 |
| price | $19.99 |
| Metacritic | 92~93 points (Highest rated game of 2026) |
| Steam first day sales | 55,000+ copies (console not included) |
| Kickstarter | raised approximately $1.2 million in 2022 |
| Soundtrack | Composed by Jake Kaufman + 2 guest tracks by Yuzo Koshiro |
| inspiration | Game Boy Color Zelda / Castlevania / FromSoftware RPG / Haunted Mansion |
| Development period | About 4 years (2022~2026) |
| Main Keywords | Gothic horror, pixel art, top-down, hollowing, Shovel Knight sequel, Game Boy vibe |
| Official Website | minathehollower.com |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
