Yoshi and the Mysterious Book

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is the most charming video game bubble wrap you’ll ever pop, and not much more.

How much mileage you get out of those extra stages, and in fact out of the entire game, relies largely on your level of curiosity. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is fundamentally a game about poking and prodding at the world and seeing what happens.

An intriguing response to one of Nintendo's greatest ever games.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is Nintendo’s most unique 2D platformer in a long time.

Yoshi's first adventure on the Nintendo Switch 2 is an adorable and delightful romp that rewards the player's sense of discovery, curiosity, and whimsy at every corner.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book isn't a bad game. There's a lot of fun to be had in discovering the many creatures hidden within Mr. E's pages, though it also suffers from a repetitive structure that doesn't evolve or provide any sense of meaningful challenge. Visually, it also lacks the punch that Woolly World and Crafted World offered, and it frankly looks pretty bad in handheld mode.If you've got young children who are eager to see more from Yoshi after catching him in the Mario Galaxy Movie, then this will provide a few hours' worth of fun while getting them used to basic platforming tropes. Otherwise, I'd probably recommend a Switch Online subscription to check out Yoshi's Island for the SNES.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a charming and welcome return for one of Nintendo’s most iconic characters. Mario fans looking for a new 2D platformer to chew on may bounce off quickly, but those who buy into the game’s concept will surely be delighted by Yoshi and the Mysterious Book.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a charming, innovative 2D puzzle-platformer that breathes fresh life into a classic formula. Despite some longer load times, its beautiful watercolor world, smooth Switch 2 performance, and addictive, cozy exploration loop make this evolution a must-play for fans of the series. $59.88 at Walmart $59.99 at Amazon(Switch) $69.99 at Target $69.99 at P.C. Richard & Son

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book may be a bit pokey for some, but it requires more brain power than you might expect, serving up a large and varied array of beautifully detailed stages and some surprisingly impactful moments. If you're looking for something approachable for a young family member, or just a laid-back read for yourself, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is well worth adding to your library.

One of Mario's most trusted companions is back, but does the newest Yoshi differentiate itself enough from the pack?