Mina the Hollower Tops Metacritic in 2026

In a strong result for retro-minded games, Mina the Hollower has taken the top spot on Metacritic’s 2026 chart. The game, from Yacht Club Games, is currently on a score of 92, ahead of Forza Horizon 6 on 91, according to a report from VICE.

The new title is built around the look and feel of the Game Boy Color, and that choice is central to its appeal. Mina the Hollower is an isometric adventure that aims to echo the handheld era rather than simply borrow its colours, which helps explain why it has landed so well with critics.

The Game Boy Color itself had a very specific technical identity, with a Sharp LR35902 CPU running at 8.192 MHz, a 32,768-colour palette, and a 160x144 pixel passive-matrix LCD. Those limits shaped how games were made, and modern projects like Mina the Hollower often use that history as part of the design rather than treating it as a novelty.

The game was originally due for a Halloween release last year, but it was delayed for seven months. It is now set to launch on 29 May for $20. Early reviews were especially strong, with the game first landing at 93 before settling slightly lower as more reviews were added.

That kind of reception suggests there is still plenty of appetite for carefully made retro-inspired games, especially ones that understand the hardware they are referencing. For readers following the wider retro scene, our news tag is the best place to keep up with the latest updates, and the Metacritic site has the current rankings.

Originally published by VICE. Read the original report.