Navinosuke The YO-KAI Buster Officially Announced, Retro Yokai-Collecting RPG from Former Metal Slug Developer

TIG SEA2 weeks ago

147 1 minute read

There are many games in the industry that were once developed but never made it to release, only to be canceled or completely reworked until little of the original concept remained. This can happen to both small and large studios alike. One such story belongs to Kohachi Studio, led by Akio, a former developer from the legendary Metal Slug team, who has now revived an old concept and brought it back to life as a brand-new game: Navinosuke The YO-KAI Buster, officially announced and heading to consoles in the near future.

About Navinosuke The YO-KAI Buster

Navinosuke The YO-KAI Buster is an RPG centered around collecting Japanese Yokai (spirits and monsters), training them, and bringing them into battle while solving mysterious cases. The game is presented in retro-inspired pixel art, evoking a nostalgic charm while delivering modern RPG systems.

Players take on the role of an Onmyoji (spirit exorcist) named Navinosuke, who travels across a land filled with Yokai—some friendly, others hostile. Beyond battling and recruitment, Navinosuke’s true mission is to investigate and resolve strange incidents occurring throughout the region, all caused by these supernatural beings.

Yokai Collection and Party Building

The game features over 150 different Yokai that players can collect and befriend. In addition to Yokai allies, various NPC companions will support Navinosuke on his journey, including:

A helpful assistant who specializes in healing and recovery
Keiji, a ninja deliveryman
Tamamo, a rural girl with unique dance-based skills

Gameplay revolves around forming a team of Yokai, battling enemies, and using special abilities to subdue and recruit them. Each Yokai comes with unique skills and passive abilities, encouraging strategic team composition and experimentation.

Release Information

Navinosuke The YO-KAI Buster is scheduled to launch on Nintendo Switch during the first quarter of this year. Pre-orders or availability on the Nintendo eShop are expected to be announced soon.

Fans of classic RPGs, Yokai-themed adventures, and retro pixel art should definitely keep an eye on this title. Stay tuned to This Is Game SEA for future updates and more exciting news from the gaming industry across the SEA Region / Southeast Asia.