After a few years of patiently waiting, Yacht Club Games’ Mina the Hollower has finally been released. Taking a ton of inspiration from Game Boy Color titles, it’s a unique game for the current era. Its inspirations aren’t restricted to older handheld games though.
Whether you’re curious or looking for something else to give you a similar vibe, we’ve got you covered with a pretty diverse list. Read on below if you want to know the best games that clearly influenced the development of Mina the Hollower.
Castlevania
Mina the Hollower features a distinct gothic horror vibe throughout, even if some NPC interactions and the initial story seem more light-hearted. Coupled with the era that the game is based on, it's hard not to think of Castlevania.
Some of the gameplay elements make that connection even more obvious. Not only is Mina's Nightstar whip the weapon she's mostly promoted with, but she can also carry different limited-use sidearm weapons as well.
Shovel Knight
There was no way this couldn't be included on the list. Mina the Hollower is merely developer Yacht Club Games' second original work, with their first being the iconic Shovel Knight (and its many expansions).
Their art styles and gameplay might be completely separate with different influences to boot, but the familiar charm and witty dialogue are still present. Jake Kaufman also composed the soundtracks for both games.
Bloodborne
You might not think it at first, but this game is unquestionably a souls-like. You gain health from drinking flasks and can lose your currency (Bones) upon death, with the opportunity to run back to retrieve it. That latter mechanic was in Shovel Knight too, although the inspiration is undeniable.
When you consider those elements along with the gothic horror setting and story, Bloodbourne naturally comes to mind. Exploring the world and finding tough-as-nails optional bosses that reveal helpful secrets is another familiar aspect. Good thing Mina the Hollower has robust difficulty modifiers!
The Legend of Zelda
Shovel Knight might have taken inspiration from games like Mega Man, but Mina the Hollower certainly takes big inspiration from The Legend of Zelda series. Finding secrets and solving puzzles on each screen perfectly embodies the Nintendo series' sense of wonder.
What might be one of the biggest similarities to the original entry in The Legend of Zelda series is being able to go pretty much wherever you want. Mina the Hollower doesn't have a set path for taking on the dungeons, so you can tackle much of the game in an order of your choosing. If that’s your kind of thing, the original entry in The Legend of Zelda series should be right up your alley.
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages
Many would likely point to The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening as a main influence. It's a popular top-down Game Boy title that did have a rerelease on the Game Boy Color and then two decades later had a remake released on the Nintendo Switch.
I would point towards the two Oracle games. While they do share quite a bit from Link's Awakening, the then-modern mechanics and more expressive color palette are more relatable. They were also made for the Game Boy Color specifically, which is exactly what Mina the Hollower is primarily based on.
Even though none of these will provide a perfect 1:1 experience with Mina the Hollower, you’ll still recognize the major influences they had on this little mouse’s adventure.
