Yoshi and the Mysterious Book arrives on May 21, and reviews for the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive are mostly positive so far. Yoshi’s first solo adventure since 2019, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book tasks players with uncovering new species, and using them to find new methods of exploration. For example, a slug-like creature can be spit out and used as a boomerang that mows down grass.
Nintendo wants to increase Switch 2’s value perception through new games, and the company has several exclusives set to be released over the next few months. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is the first of three, with Star Fox arriving in June, and Splatoon Raiders in July. If those three games are well-received, that could help set the tone for the rest of the year, and potentially convince some gamers to purchase a Switch 2.
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Yoshi and the Mysterious Book Reviews
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book currently holds a Top Critic average of 81 on OpenCritic, with 89% of reviewers recommending the game. The consensus seems to be that the game offers a more laid-back experience, with a greater emphasis on exploration and puzzle solving over challenge. Yoshi’s Crafted World offered a more casual experience, and it seems Nintendo and developer Good-Feel are building on the elements that worked in the past. However, based on the reviews and everything revealed by Nintendo, the core gameplay loop seems to be a lot different this time.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
Giant Bomb (Dan Ryckert) — Score: 4/5
It’s bound to be a fun time for kids, and it has enough surprises and callbacks to Yoshi’s history to bring plenty of smiles to older fans like me. Other Nintendo platformers settled into their own identities and time-tested formats decades ago. Yoshi’s road has been a little more unpredictable, but with this entry it’s found an approach that feels all its own.
TheSixthAxis (Stefan L) — Score: 7/10
There are plenty of moments that charm and delight through Yoshi and the Mysterious Book. It’s not always the most obvious game to play, emphasising experimentation over platforming fundamentals, but the collection of weird and wonderful new creatures it contains invite exploration in a way that should delight inquisitive young minds.
Stevivor (Matt Gosper) — Score: 7.5/10
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is built to be explored in smaller chunks, something you can pick up and explore for as long as you’re curious.
WellPlayed (Ash Wayling) — Score: 9/10
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a brilliant, quirky experiment that proves being a dinosaur-shaped scientist can easily give traditional platformers a run for their money. If a cosy, unsupervised science fair full of “Eureka!” moments sounds like your jam, prepare your tongue for a new career in book-based ecology.
GAMINGbible (Sam Cawley) — Score: 8/10
Whatever it lacks in story or challenge is made up with clever gameplay mechanics disguised as weird and wonderful creatures. It’s unfortunate that some of that magic dissipates on a replay, but even when you’ve filled all of the mysterious book’s pages, you’re still left with another charming Yoshi platformer to enjoy at leisure.
As players explore the eponymous Mysterious Book, they will discover creatures completely new to the franchise. These creatures have unique abilities that help players progress. The challenge of trying and failing to complete puzzles using the environment may prove frustrating for some players, as it seems that figuring out the game’s puzzles isn’t always obvious. As a result, players are forced to experiment throughout. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book has gotten praise for its rewarding moments, as players find solutions to help in their exploration.
It’s easy to see how that type of gameplay might not be for everyone, but it should give the Switch 2 library a unique experience, without repeating what’s been done in the past. Thankfully, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book keeps many of the franchise’s trademarks intact. Yoshis still have their traditional flutter jump, ground pound, and the ability to swallow creatures. That should make the game feel familiar, even as the gameplay differs from what’s been offered in the past.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
Yoshi has been seeing a lot more attention as a result of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Releasing a new Yoshi game so soon after the film makes a lot of sense, and it sounds like fans will have a lot to look forward to when the game is released. Those looking for a level of challenge on par with Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island might end up disappointed, but it could appeal to fans of games like Yoshi’s Crafted World. With the game set to be released soon, fans won’t have to wait too long to judge the results for themselves.
- Released
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May 21, 2026
- ESRB
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Everyone / Mild Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
