Welcome to EXPlay, (Explain & Play) the review series where we care not for scores, but tell it how it is when it comes to every game we get our hands on, all whilst including some lengthy gameplay, to give you, the reader, the chance to form your own impressions and views while reading and watching.
In this explanatory review, we’re covering Yoshi and the Mysterious Book by developer, Good-Feel (GoödFeël):
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book (Nintendo Switch 2)
Developed by Good-Feel, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book launched exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 on May 21, 2026, and it has already proven to be quite the page-turner.
As the ninth instalment in the Yoshi series and the fifth home console title, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book marks Good-Feel’s first Yoshi game since 2019’s Yoshi’s Crafted World. That’s not to say the studio has been idle — they were behind 2024’s Princess Peach: Showtime! — but it’s always a delight to see the life and creativity they bring to a new Yoshi title. Fortunately, they didn’t miss a beat.
The story centres around, as you might guess, a Mysterious Book named Mr. E. This charming, leather-bound encyclopedia, complete with a moustache and a lively personality, crashes onto Yoshi’s Island after some mischievous interference from Bowser Jr. (a fun recurring presence that adds light tension without ever becoming overwhelming). Mr. E has lost much of his memory about the fantastical creatures living within his pages, and that’s where Yoshi and his friends come in. Yoshi can dive into the book’s illustrated worlds, observing, interacting with, and documenting the quirky critters he encounters across the game’s six main chapters.
Gameplay-wise, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book takes a lighter, gentler approach to narrative than many modern platformers, embracing a low-stakes, family-friendly tone. The premise is simple yet endearing: curiosity, friendship, and the joy of discovery. There are subtle emotional beats about rediscovery and the bonds formed through shared adventures, but the game largely avoids heavy drama. It feels like flipping through a beloved childhood picture book that has magically come to life — heartwarming, playful, and full of wonder.
Compared to the more linear storytelling in previous Yoshi titles like Yoshi’s Crafted World, this game leans heavily into player-driven discovery. Bowser Jr.’s involvement provides occasional antagonistic flair, but the focus remains on exploration and gentle problem-solving rather than confrontation. It’s pure Yoshi: no world-ending threats, no punishing death mechanics, just the simple satisfaction of filling blank pages with new knowledge.
Where Yoshi and the Mysterious Book truly shines, however, is in its gameplay. While it retains classic Yoshi mechanics — tongue grabs to swallow enemies and turn them into throwable eggs, flutter jumps for graceful traversal, and ground pounds — it shifts the emphasis toward creative experimentation and systemic interactions. Each “page” (stage) functions as a colourful, living habitat teeming with peculiar creatures.
Your primary goal is to study them: lick them to discover their tastes and effects, carry them on Yoshi’s back using the new Tail Flick ability, throw them at objects or other critters to observe reactions, and combine their behaviours in surprising ways. Small discoveries earn stars, while bigger “aha!” moments grant more, unlocking new pages and areas. One creature might light up dark areas when excited, while another could help bridge gaps when thrown precisely.
There’s even a fun naming system for the creatures you befriend. Each one starts off as ???, but players can either name them themselves or accept Mr. E’s recommendations. We were a bit boring and went with Mr. E’s suggestions, but it’s nice to have the option.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book rewards patience and playfulness. Many puzzles can be solved by happy accident, which adds to the charm, though it might frustrate completionists seeking rigid challenges. Levels are open-ended enough for multiple approaches, with hidden Smiley Flowers to collect and tokens that can be spent to unlock hints for further discoveries.
The game’s bestiary becomes deeply satisfying to complete, encouraging replayability. However, due to the extensive number of discoveries, while the main story and additional chapters can be completed in under 10 hours, fully uncovering every creature and finding every Smiley Flower will take considerably longer. This makes the game accessible for younger players and casual fans, while still offering enough depth for veterans who enjoy optimising creature combos. And just in case a helping hand is needed, players who own any of the supported amiibo figurines (Yoshi, Poochy, or Bowser Jr.) can tap them to receive a daily fortune from Mr. E, along with some useful tokens.
Visually, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is an absolute knockout. Good-Feel has crafted a beautiful hand-drawn storybook aesthetic that pops vividly on the Nintendo Switch 2. Characters and environments blend 3D models with illustrated, almost stop-motion-inspired textures, creating a warm, tactile feel — like stepping into a pop-up book. Yoshi’s animations are wonderfully expressive, from his happy bounces and curious head tilts to his exaggerated reactions when discovering something new. The creatures themselves steal scenes with their hilarious behaviours, causing colourful chain reactions that light up the screen.
In fact, while Yoshi remains the lovable hero we adore, Mr. E emerges as a true co-star. His dry wit and growing attachment to Yoshi add real personality to the journey. The real highlights, however, are the quirky creatures populating the book. From bouncy Blorps (with their playful breeding and hybrid mechanics that have already sparked fun community memes) to more elusive beings with unique powers, each one feels distinct and memorable.
Performance-wise, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is rock-solid for the most part. The game runs smoothly at a consistent frame rate, whether docked or in handheld mode, taking full advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2’s power. Load times are minimal, and the Unreal Engine 5 foundation delivers rich lighting and particle effects without compromising portability. Sound design complements this perfectly — light-hearted music with contributions from composer Kumi Tanioka creates a relaxing, joyful atmosphere. Creature sounds and environmental audio are charming and immersive, enhancing the sense of discovery. That said, it is not entirely immune to the occasional stutter.
By no means is Yoshi and the Mysterious Book a platformer that will redefine its genre, but what it does, it excels at. It delivers a cosy, curiosity-driven experience that feels tailor-made for the Nintendo Switch 2. It is easily one of the most enjoyable Yoshi games we have ever played, and one we’d warmly recommend to any fan of Yoshi — or anyone who loved Super Mario Galaxy, as there is one particular stage that will leave you craving a true Super Mario Galaxy 2 sequel.
Game Specifications:
Developer: Good-Feel (GoödFeël)
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 (Digital)
Genre: Action, Adventure
No. of Players: 1 (Single System)
Release Date: May 21, 2026
Price: $59.99
File Size: 19.6 GB
Nintendo.com Listing
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