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Mina the Hollower

News, coverage and analysis tracking Mina the Hollower across the outlets.

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Retro GamerPositive

"No free DLC": After accidentally promising 4 entire new games during their Shovel Knight Kickstarter, the devs behind 2026's top-rated game have learned their lesson

Yacht Club Games programmer David D'Angelo stated that the studio will not offer free DLC for their upcoming game, Mina the Hollower, learning from the extensive post-launch content that effectively became new games for their previous title, Shovel Knight. While major expansions are not planned, the team has ideas for a sequel to Mina the Hollower, which they consider a tentpole game for the studio.

Tech RaptorVery positive

Mina the Hollower Sells Over 300k Copies in 3 Days

Yacht Club Games' Mina the Hollower has sold over 300,000 copies in less than three days, significantly surpassing the initial sales of Shovel Knight. The retro-inspired action-adventure game, developed over six years with a budget exceeding $5 million, has received critical acclaim, including a 10/10 review from TechRaptor and a 92 score on OpenCritic. This strong performance suggests the game will be profitable and is unlikely to be the studio's final project.

Nintendo EverythingNeutral

Mina the Hollower DLC unlikely for now, but Yacht Club has sequel ideas

Yacht Club Games has indicated that downloadable content for Mina the Hollower is unlikely, though the studio has ideas for a sequel. The company learned from Shovel Knight's development that free DLC can be unsustainable. While quality-of-life updates and a randomizer mode are planned for Mina the Hollower, a sequel is considered more probable, with hints already present in the game.

Retro GamerPositive

Saving the studio, Mina the Hollower sells 300,000 copies in 3 days as head wonders "how come the best-reviewed game of 2026 is not the fastest-selling game"

Mina the Hollower, the new action game from Yacht Club Games, has sold 300,000 copies in its first three days, a crucial success for the studio. Despite receiving critical acclaim and being tied for the highest-rated game of the year, director Sean Velasco expressed a desire for higher sales numbers to match the critical reception. The game is priced at $20 and has seen strong performance on Steam, contributing to the studio's financial stability.

GamespotVery positive

Mina The Hollower Is Selling Much Faster Than Shovel Knight

Mina The Hollower has sold 300,000 copies in its first three days, significantly outperforming Shovel Knight's initial sales. Developer Yacht Club Games stated these strong sales ensure the studio can continue operations without layoffs or seeking external investment. The game's success is attributed partly to positive reviews, with Mina The Hollower currently tied as the best-reviewed game of 2026.

Nintendo EverythingVery positive

Mina the Hollower sales surpass 300,000 copies in three days

Yacht Club Games announced that Mina the Hollower has sold over three million copies across all platforms worldwide within its first three days of release. The game is available on Nintendo Switch and its eShop.

GamespotVery positive

Mina The Hollower’s 11th-Hour Delay Was To Eliminate “The Worst Room In The Game”

Yacht Club Games delayed the release of Mina the Hollower to address player feedback and refine specific in-game areas, including eliminating what was considered "the worst room in the game." The studio also focused on balancing the game's open-world structure to accommodate various player progression paths.

Gaming On LinuxVery positive

Mina the Hollower is another absolute gem from Yacht Club Games

Mina the Hollower is a retro-styled pixel-art action-adventure game from Yacht Club Games, known for the Shovel Knight series. The game features challenging gameplay inspired by classics like Zelda and Castlevania, with modern touches and extensive accessibility options. It was successfully funded on Kickstarter and includes native Linux support.

Shack NewsNeutral

The best starting weapon in Mina the Hollower

This guide helps players choose the best starting weapon in Mina the Hollower. Selecting the optimal weapon early on can significantly improve the player's experience during the initial stages of the game.

Pure NintendoPositive

Mina the Hollower tunnels into our hearts! Pure Nintendo Podcast E164

The Pure Nintendo Podcast episode 164 covers Yacht Club Games' Mina the Hollower, upcoming Switch 2 announcements including Dragon Quest XI S and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and Donkey Kong 64's arrival on Switch Online. The hosts also discuss demos for The Adventures of Elliot and Pictonico, physical releases, and local gaming events in Brisbane.

GamespotPositive

Mina The Hollower Traps You In The Bayou (To Teach You That You Can Get Out)

Yacht Club Games intentionally designed an area in Mina the Hollower to trap players, teaching them that progression relies on the burrowing mechanic rather than traditional Zelda-like equipment. This approach aims to prevent players from encountering insurmountable difficulty spikes by wandering into areas beyond their current abilities, while still retaining an old-school sense of challenge and discovery.

Retro GamerVery positive

The best-rated game of 2026 is $20 because the devs "don't want people to wait" for a discount: "We…

Indie developer Yacht Club Games has priced its upcoming title, Mina the Hollower, at $20, a decision co-founder Sean Velasco states was made to ensure players wouldn't hesitate to purchase it. This pricing strategy contrasts with the industry trend of $70 games and has contributed to Mina the Hollower receiving high praise and strong initial sales, with Velasco aiming for over a million copies sold.

Game CriticsNeutral

So Videogames Episode 490: Counterpoint

Episode 490 of the So Videogames Podcast features hosts discussing various games including Froggy Hates Snow, Crimson Desert, and John Carpenter's Toxic Commando. The episode also covers the Q Collection, Guardians of the Galaxy, Luna Abyss, Bubsy 4D, Mina the Hollower, and Wall World 2007 Last Light. Feedback can be sent via email or the comments section.

GamespotVery positive

Mina The Hollower Was Inspired By Pokemon And Final Fantasy Adventure

Yacht Club Games' upcoming title, Mina the Hollower, draws inspiration from a variety of classic games, including Pokemon and Final Fantasy Adventure, in addition to its clear Zelda and souls-like influences. David D'Angelo of Yacht Club Games highlighted the appeal of packing extensive content into small packages, a hallmark of Game Boy-era titles.

GamespotPositive

How Shovel Knight’s Kickstarter Resulted In Mina The Hollower’s Massive Modifier System

Yacht Club Games' latest title, Mina the Hollower, features a robust modifier system that allows players to customize difficulty, a concept that originated from the Kickstarter campaign for their debut game, Shovel Knight. Originally conceived as a way to fulfill a backer tier promising unique secrets, the idea evolved from a cheat code system into the expansive, menu-driven modifier system seen in Mina the Hollower, offering players meticulous control over their gameplay experience.

GamespotVery positive

The Surprising Factors That Made Mina The Hollower A Game Of The Year Contender

David D’Angelo, lead programmer at Yacht Club Games, discusses the development and design of Mina the Hollower, a game that blends Souls-like challenge with Zelda-inspired exploration. The interview highlights the studio's approach to difficulty options, inspired by cheat codes and player freedom, and their passion for retro game design limitations. D'Angelo also touches on the game's reception and the studio's philosophy on making games accessible while retaining their core identity.

EurogamerNeutral

Is Mina the Hollower too hard? The debate is on, as players discuss the challenge of Yacht Club's smash hit

Players are debating the difficulty of Yacht Club Games' Mina the Hollower, with some finding it too challenging and others defending its design. The discussion highlights the game's intricate mechanics and the availability of extensive accessibility options that can be adjusted to suit player preferences.

The Sixth AxisNeutral

Mina the Hollower Review

Mina the Hollower is a retro-style action-adventure game from Yacht Club Games that blends classic 8-bit aesthetics with Zelda-like exploration and combat. While it offers engaging gameplay and a detailed world, the review notes some frustrating design choices, including punishing difficulty spikes, inconvenient weapon switching, and a lack of a detailed in-game map that can hinder progression.

PlaystationNeutral

Players’ Choice: Vote for May 2026’s best new game

PlayStation Blog is seeking player input to determine the best new game released in May 2026 through a monthly poll. The editorial team will curate a list of notable releases, and players can vote for their favorite, with remakes qualifying but re-releases not. The winning game will be announced on PlayStation's social channels and blog.

Gaming On LinuxNeutral

Check out the 50 most popular Steam Deck games for May 2026

This article lists the 50 most popular games played on the Steam Deck during May 2026, based on data from Valve. The list includes newly released titles like Forza Horizon 6 and Subnautica 2, alongside enduring favorites such as Slay the Spire and Stardew Valley.