Mina the Hollower Switch 2 Review: Is It Worth Buying?

Overview

Mina the Hollower marks Yacht Club Games' move beyond Shovel Knight-style side-scrolling platforming into a top-down action RPG shaped heavily by classic Zelda. The strongest reference points are The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening, especially in the way exploration, combat, secrets, and area progression all feed into each other.

The story follows Mina, an inventor and member of the earth-studying guild known as the Hollowers. She is summoned to Tenebrae Isle by her old friend Baron Lionel to reactivate the Spark Generators, power sources of her own design that have begun to fail. Her journey sends her across the island to repair those generators, restore balance to local communities, fight through monsters, and deal with Thorne, a mysterious rival who repeatedly stands in her way.

The main plot is straightforward, but Tenebrae Isle is filled out with side quests and smaller stories. Some are tied to Thorne's opposition to Mina's mission, while others are lighter diversions, such as helping two hunters take down a bunny-shaped monster. The result is an island that feels busy, strange, and full of little stories, both funny and sad.

What Works

The presentation immediately sells the game. Mina the Hollower keeps an 8-bit visual style, this time drawing from a Game Boy Color-inspired palette. The gothic setting gives it a strong identity, while the soundtrack brings a lot of energy to exploration and combat. Jake Kaufman returns with another set of chiptune compositions, with Yuzo Koshiro also involved, and the music often feels like it is pushing the player forward during tense moments and boss fights.

Exploration is one of the game's biggest strengths. Tenebrae Isle is built around a central town hub that connects outward to six mechanically distinct regions. Each area can be tackled in any order, and the game does not lean on a map, quest markers, or constant tutorial pop-ups. Instead, NPC dialogue, signs, and environmental clues are what point you toward the next objective.

That freedom can be refreshing, but it also demands attention. It is easy to wander between the hub and blocked-looking paths until the game teaches you to study each screen more carefully. Hidden routes and secrets can appear anywhere, and once that clicks, the island's looping, layered structure becomes much more satisfying to read.

Movement and combat also have a strong rhythm. Mina can jump manually, which recalls the Roc's Feather from Link's Awakening, and she can burrow underground before bursting upward into the air. That burrow move is not just a gimmick. It is essential for progression, platforming puzzles, and dealing with aerial enemies across the island.

The weapon system is deeper than it first appears. Primary weapons all feel distinct and can be upgraded for extra utility. The Nightstar is a chain whip with a Belmont-like feel, the Blackstruck Maul is slow but heavy-hitting, Whisper and Vesper support fast dagger-based combat, the Battery Buster suits a projectile-focused style, and the Guardian Casket supports a more defensive approach. Sidearms add offensive projectiles and defensive options, while trinkets further modify Mina's playstyle.

What Falls Short

Mina the Hollower can be punishingly difficult, especially during boss battles. The challenge is a core part of the experience, but it can also be intimidating if difficult games usually put you off. Some fights and platforming sections ask for precise movement, careful timing, and comfort with the burrow-and-jump system.

Navigation can also feel opaque early on. Because there is no map to rely on, getting lost is part of the learning curve. The game expects you to notice dialogue hints, signs, screen details, and hidden paths. For players used to modern quest markers, the first stretch can involve a lot of backtracking before the island's design language starts to make sense.

There is also a small control frustration around the burrow and healing input. The same button is used for burrowing and healing, depending on how it is pressed. If the input is not held or pressed correctly, it is possible to waste a potion when trying to burrow, which can be irritating during tense sections.

Mouse mode exists on Switch 2, but its use is limited: it mainly moves Mina's head. It is a curiosity rather than a major way to play.

Accessibility and Difficulty Options

The modifier menu is one of the most welcome parts of the package. Mina the Hollower includes a large set of quality-of-life and difficulty options that can be turned on at any time, as long as you are willing to give up the game's feat challenge system.

These options build on the cheat-code spirit of Shovel Knight. If jumping is giving you trouble, Mina can be given a super jump. If you want to move through another playthrough faster, her walking speed can be doubled. If a younger or more casual player wants to explore Tenebrae Isle with little resistance, the game allows that too.

The same system also supports players who want more challenge, with modifiers that can increase difficulty. That makes the assist system feel less like a simple easy mode and more like a broad customization menu for shaping the experience.

Switch 2 Performance and Play Feel

Mina the Hollower feels especially well suited to handheld play. The Game Boy Color-inspired visuals look natural on a smaller screen, and the soundtrack comes through well on the Switch 2 speakers. Some pixel-art games can be tiring in handheld mode, but this one holds up for long sessions.

Performance is sharp in both handheld and docked play. The stability is noticeable during busy boss fights and platforming puzzles. The original Switch targets 60fps, while the Switch 2 version supports 120fps and HDR settings for displays that can use them.

Controller preference may matter. Analog sticks work, but using a controller with a roller pad made movement feel easier in docked play. For a game built around precise movement, jumping, burrowing, and combat timing, the right controller can make a real difference.

Content and Replay Value

The base game feels substantial. Re-igniting all the Spark Generators took around 25 hours, and there is post-game content beyond that. The number of weapons, sidearms, trinkets, and upgrade paths also leaves room to experiment with different builds.

The structure supports replaying or revisiting areas, especially because the six regions can be approached in any order. Future DLC would be an exciting reason to return to Tenebrae Isle, but the main campaign already has plenty to uncover.

Verdict

Mina the Hollower is a confident, polished action RPG that pays careful tribute to classic Zelda-style adventure while building in modern flexibility. It is intricate, challenging, and sometimes frustrating, but its exploration, weapon variety, music, retro presentation, and generous modifier options make it easy to recommend.

On Nintendo Switch 2, the handheld experience is particularly strong, with crisp performance, fitting visuals, and excellent music. For players who enjoy classic action RPGs, hidden paths, demanding bosses, and build experimentation, Mina the Hollower is absolutely worth buying.