This Long-Awaited ‘Legend of Zelda'-Inspired Adventure Is Out Now-and It Has a 92/100 on Metacritic
Gamers seem to be more nostalgic for the past than ever before. Fans are constantly looking for something inspired by a classic series, and indie developers are often the ones to deliver on that wish.
Mina the Hollower by Yacht Club Games is out today, May 29, and if you're even a little bit of a Legend of Zelda fan, you're going to want to grab this one as soon as possible. This developer previously made the Shovel Knight series, a platform-adventure inspired by NES games like Super Mario.
The reviews are in for this modern classic, and it already has a 92/100 on Metacritic.
Orpheus Joshua of Noisy Pixel bragged about the game's complete package of gameplay versatility.
"Mina the Hollower is a masterfully crafted action adventure that confidently exceeds the towering expectations surrounding Yacht Club Games' long-awaited follow-up to Shovel Knight. Combining challenging dungeon design, satisfying combat, rewarding exploration, and clever environmental puzzle solving, the game constantly pushes players to engage with its intricately layered world."
Player 2 says the game wears its inspirations well, but still finds a way to carve out its own place in the adventure genre with creative design.
"More than just an ode to the GameBoy Color, Mina the Hollower is a masterclass in how constraints can fuel creativity. Inventive and engaging to the end and beyond, this is an instant modern classic. Across two dozen hours, Mina the Hollower reminded me why I ever picked up a controller in the first place; because great games make the playing its own reward."
SteamDeckHQ was impressed by the game's evolution of classic formulas and its ability to take chances.
"What is perhaps most impressive about Mina the Hollower is how effortlessly confident it feels. Many retro-inspired games are content to imitate the aesthetics of the past while sanding away the rougher edges. Yacht Club Games understand that the magic of those older games came not just from how they looked, but from how boldly designed they were. Mina embraces mystery, difficulty, experimentation, and discovery with absolute conviction."
The game is out now and is only $19.99 for Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Linux, and macOS.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 2:22 PM.