# Mina the Hollower

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2026 video game

2026 video game

Mina the Hollower Developer Yacht Club Games Publisher Yacht Club Games Composers Jake Kaufman Yuzo Koshiro Platforms Linux macOS Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 PlayStation 5 Windows Xbox Series X/S Release May 29, 2026 Genre Action-adventure Mode Single-player

***Mina the Hollower*** is a 2026 [action-adventure game](/source/Action-adventure_game) developed and published by [Yacht Club Games](/source/Yacht_Club_Games). It released on [Linux](/source/Linux), [macOS](/source/MacOS), [Nintendo Switch](/source/Nintendo_Switch), [Nintendo Switch 2](/source/Nintendo_Switch_2), [PlayStation 5](/source/PlayStation_5), [Windows](/source/Windows), and [Xbox Series X/S](/source/Xbox_Series_X%2FS) on May 29, 2026. *Mina the Hollower* is inspired by the gameplay and graphics of action-adventure games developed for the [Game Boy family](/source/Game_Boy_family) of [video game consoles](/source/Video_game_consoles). The game received critical acclaim.

## Gameplay

The protagonist fighting an enemy with the whip

The game's main character is Mina, a genius inventor and mouse who has created advances in Spark Technology. She is a Hollower, a member of a guild dedicated to studying the Earth. She wields a whip, called the Nightstar, as a weapon, allowing her to attack in four directions. Additionally, Mina can take advantage of a technique known as "Hollowing". This grants her the ability to burrow underground for a short time as a way to traverse short distances quickly and cross gaps, while being invincible.[1]

Alongside her whip, Mina can use other weapons such as hatchets and daggers, holding only one at a time. Trinkets can be equipped to provide permanent boosts to her navigational and combative abilities. Sidearms can also be found throughout the world, providing Mina with a wide variety of support and combative roles; unlike Trinkets, however, Sidearms are lost upon death.[1][2]

The game is in a [3/4 isometric perspective](/source/3%2F4_perspective), similar to [Game Boy Color](/source/Game_Boy_Color) games such as *[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX](/source/The_Legend_of_Zelda%3A_Link's_Awakening_DX)* and [*The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons* and *Oracle of Ages*](/source/The_Legend_of_Zelda%3A_Oracle_of_Seasons_and_Oracle_of_Ages).[1]

## Synopsis

The game revolves around Mina, a skilled inventor and "Hollower" who travels to Tenebrous Isle to discover why her Spark Generators (which she invented to power the island) have gone out.[1]

### Setting

The game takes place in a 1700s [gothic horror](/source/Gothic_horror)-inspired world populated by [anthropomorphic animals](/source/Anthropomorphic_animal).[1] It is primarily set in Tenebrous Isle, with various levels surrounding the hub city of Ossex. One of the levels in the game includes Nox's Bayou, a poisonous swamp which hosts one of the generators.

### Plot

Mina makes an expedition to Tenebrous Isle, home to the philanthropist Baron Lionel. Lionel acts as Mina's patron, funding her research on the isle and subsequently leading to its rapid development. Standing in her way is Thorne, a bat who served as the former head of Lionel's guard, before betraying the Baron and destroying the generators alongside his shock troopers.

## Development

*Mina the Hollower* originally began as a side project by Yacht Club Games employee Alec Faulkner to hone his coding and artistic capabilities, and was not originally intended for commercial release. Development on the solo affair, then under the name *Gothic*, caught the attention of Yacht Club management, who viewed the title as a favorable pairing to the studio's flagship *[Shovel Knight](/source/Shovel_Knight)* series. On February 2, 2022, a [Kickstarter](/source/Kickstarter) campaign was launched to support development, which raised USD$1,239,584 from 21,439 backers. When including other sources of crowdfunding, the game raised over USD$1,400,000 for the studio.[2][3] Originally scheduled for release on October 31, 2025, the game was later delayed to May 29, 2026.[4][5]

*Mina the Hollower* was designed to mimic the visual appearance of a [Game Boy Color](/source/Game_Boy_Color) title. This stylistic decision was made while still a side project for Faulkner, inspired by a slew of Game Boy games he had been playing in his personal time. In an attempt to pay homage to early [portable gaming](/source/Handheld_game_console) and remain as authentic as possible to the original Game Boy hardware, *Mina* abides by the technical limitations of the Game Boy, containing no 3D assets and limiting pixel design to four colors per tile.[3] The lone exception to this philosophy is the game's [widescreen](/source/Widescreen) resolution.

The developers' interest in scary stories and [horror games](/source/Horror_game), as well as creating the darker-in-tone *[Specter of Torment](/source/Specter_of_Torment)* [downloadable content](/source/Downloadable_content) for *[Shovel Knight](/source/Shovel_Knight)*, is what inspired them to create a darker game. The gameplay and story draws influences from such games as *[Castlevania](/source/Castlevania_(1986_video_game))*, *[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening](/source/The_Legend_of_Zelda%3A_Link's_Awakening)*, and *[Bloodborne](/source/Bloodborne)*. Other influences include the [Disneyland](/source/Disneyland) rides *The Haunted Mansion* and *Pirates of the Caribbean*.[6] The soundtrack was composed by [Jake Kaufman](/source/Jake_Kaufman), with two guest tracks from [Yuzo Koshiro](/source/Yuzo_Koshiro).[7]

## Reception

Reception

Aggregate scores Aggregator Score Metacritic (NS2) 89/100[8] (PC) 91/100[9] (PS5) 89/100[10] OpenCritic 98% recommend[11][a]

Review scores Publication Score Game Informer 8.8/10[12] GameSpot 9/10[15] GamesRadar+ 4.5/5[14] Giant Bomb 3.5/5[13] Hardcore Gamer 4.5/5[16] IGN 10/10[17] Nintendo Life 9/10[18] Nintendo World Report 9/10[19] RPGamer 4.5/5[20] Shacknews 10/10[21]

### Pre-release

Will Greenwald of *[PCMag](/source/PCMag)* called the game ambitious in a preview, comparing it to "*Castlevania* meets *Zelda*" and describing the presentation as "charming". Stating that he was "very impressed" with the game's [demo](/source/Software_demo), he called the mechanic of diving into the ground "unusual", but stated that he quickly got used to it as a natural part of gameplay.[22] Thomas Whitehead of *[Nintendo Life](/source/Nintendo_Life)* stated that he was ultimately "left excited" by the game after playing the demo, calling it an "excellent return" for the studio after making numerous spin-offs.[23] Alex Stadnik of *[Game Informer](/source/Game_Informer)* called it a "gorgeous homage".[24]

### Post-release

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (May 2026)

*Mina the Hollower* received "generally favorable" reviews for the Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 versions while the Windows version received "universal acclaim", according to the [review aggregator](/source/Review_aggregator) website [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic).[8][9][10] On review aggregator [OpenCritic](/source/OpenCritic), 98% of critics recommended the game.[11]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Based on 58 reviews

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:1_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:1_1-4) Moss, Gabriel (2026-05-13). ["Mina the Hollower is Like Link's Awakening With a Grudge | IGN Preview"](https://www.ign.com/articles/mina-the-hollower-preview-bloodborne-zelda). *IGN*. Retrieved 2026-05-20.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) ["Yacht Club Games Presents 2022"](https://www.yachtclubgames.com/blog/yacht-club-games-presents-2022/). *Yacht Club Games*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220527210146/https://www.yachtclubgames.com/blog/yacht-club-games-presents-2022/) from the original on May 27, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GI_Feature_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GI_Feature_3-1) Van Aken, Alex (November 2022). "The Making of Mina the Hollower". *[Game Informer](/source/Game_Informer)*. Vol. 32, no. 351. [Sunrise Publications](/source/Sunrise_Publications). pp. 10–11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-date_4-0)** Denzer, TJ (6 May 2026). ["Mina the Hollower gets late May 2026 release date"](https://www.shacknews.com/article/149025/mina-the-hollower-release-date). *Shacknews*. Retrieved 6 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-date2_5-0)** Hagues, Alana (May 6, 2026). ["Mina The Hollower Finally Lands On Switch 1 & 2 In Just A Few Weeks"](https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/05/mina-the-hollower-finally-lands-on-switch-1-and-2-in-just-a-few-weeks). *Nintendo Life*. Retrieved May 6, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Schepper, Jeremy (28 October 2024). ["Mina the Hollower: An Interview with Sandy Gordon of Yacht Club Games"](https://www.nettosgameroom.com/2024/10/mina-hollower-interview-with-sandy.html). *Netto's Game Room*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241029200727/https://www.nettosgameroom.com/2024/10/mina-hollower-interview-with-sandy.html) from the original on 29 October 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Hagues, Alana (March 2, 2022). ["Mina The Hollower's Soundtrack Gains Streets Of Rage Composer Yuzo Koshiro"](https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/03/mina-the-hollowers-soundtrack-gains-streets-of-rage-composer-yuzo-koshiro). *Nintendo Life*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220520103754/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/03/mina-the-hollowers-soundtrack-gains-streets-of-rage-composer-yuzo-koshiro) from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MCNS2_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MCNS2_8-1) ["Mina the Hollower for Nintendo Switch 2 Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/mina-the-hollower/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch-2). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MCPC_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MCPC_9-1) ["Mina the Hollower for PC Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/mina-the-hollower/critic-reviews/?platform=pc). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MCPS5_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MCPS5_10-1) ["Mina the Hollower for PlayStation 5 Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/mina-the-hollower/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-opencritic_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-opencritic_11-1) ["*Mina the Hollower*"](https://opencritic.com/game/19213/mina-the-hollower). *[OpenCritic](/source/OpenCritic)*. Retrieved May 29, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Hilliard, Kyle (May 27, 2026). ["Mina the Hollower Review"](https://gameinformer.com/review/mina-the-hollower/refined-throwback). *[Game Informer](/source/Game_Informer)*. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Minotti, Mike (May 27, 2026). ["Mina the Hollower Review"](https://giantbomb.com/reviews/mina-the-hollower-review). *[Giant Bomb](/source/Giant_Bomb)*. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Bailey, Dustin (May 27, 2026). ["Mina the Hollower's classic Zelda vibes channel Bloodborne to create one of my new retro-style favorites"](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/adventure/mina-the-hollower-review/). *[GamesRadar+](/source/GamesRadar%2B)*. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Watts, Steve (May 27, 2026). ["Mina The Hollower Surpasses The Greatness Of Shovel Knight"](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mina-the-hollower-surpasses-the-greatness-of-shovel-knight/). *[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)*. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Ignacchitti, Ivanir (May 27, 2026). ["Review: Mina the Hollower"](https://hardcoregamer.com/review-mina-the-hollower/). *Hardcore Gamer*. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Claiborn, Samuel (May 27, 2026). ["Mina the Hollower Review"](https://www.ign.com/articles/mina-the-hollower-review). *[IGN](/source/IGN)*. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Talbot, Ken (May 27, 2026). ["Mina the Hollower - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Review (Switch 2)"](https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch-2/mina-the-hollower-nintendo-switch-2-edition). *[Nintendo Life](/source/Nintendo_Life)*. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Ronaghan, Neal (May 27, 2026). ["Mina the Hollower (Switch 2) Review"](https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/75717/mina-the-hollower-switch-2-review). *Nintendo World Report*. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Radcliff (May 27, 2026). ["Mina the Hollower Review"](https://rpgamer.com/review/mina-the-hollower-review/). *RPGamer*. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Denzer, TJ (May 27, 2026). ["Mina the Hollower review: Mouse on haunted hill"](https://www.shacknews.com/article/149311/mina-the-hollower-review-score). *[Shacknews](/source/Shacknews)*. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Greenwald, Will (2022-03-30). ["Mina the Hollower (for PC) Preview"](https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/mina-the-hollower-for-pc). *[PCMAG](/source/PCMAG)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220331000347/https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/mina-the-hollower-for-pc) from the original on 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2026-05-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Whitehead, Thomas (February 3, 2022). ["Hands On: 'Mina The Hollower' Mixes Zelda, Castlevania, And Plenty Of 'Git Gud"](https://www.nintendolife.com/features/hands-on-mina-the-hollower-mixes-zelda-castlevania-and-plenty-of-git-gud). *Nintendo Life*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220520103754/https://www.nintendolife.com/features/hands-on-mina-the-hollower-mixes-zelda-castlevania-and-plenty-of-git-gud) from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Stadnik, Alex (February 2, 2022). ["Mina the Hollower Preview"](https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2022/02/02/mina-the-hollower-new-gameplay-today). *[Game Informer](/source/Game_Informer)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220203001943/https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2022/02/02/mina-the-hollower-new-gameplay-today) from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.

## External links

- [Official website](https://www.yachtclubgames.com/games/mina-the-hollower/)

v t e Yacht Club Games Developed Shovel Knight Shovel Knight Plague of Shadows Specter of Torment King of Cards Showdown Pocket Dungeon Dig Other Mina the Hollower Published Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack Cyber Shadow

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mina the Hollower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mina_the_Hollower) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mina_the_Hollower?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.