Unreleased Game Boy Advance RPG Navinosuke: The Yo-kai Buster will finally see the light of day. It’s coming to Nintendo Switch in early 2026.
The creature collector title is being rebuilt by Kohachi Studio, which employs former members of original Metal Slug developer Nazca. Multiple representatives including Metal Slug artist Akio broke the news on X, releasing a brief teaser you can watch below.
Here’s the description of Navinosuke: The Yo-kai Buster accompanying that teaser.
“Navinosuke -The Yo-kai Buster-”
A long-lost 2D pixel art RPG returns across time. Originally completed two decades ago but never released, this hidden gem is now being faithfully rebuilt by KOHACHI STUDIO for Nintendo Switch. Set in ancient Japan, you play as Navinosuke, a young onmyoji-in-training, meeting and battling over 150 unique yokai. Plan your tactics using turn-based auto battles and a shikigami system, and explore a whimsical, strategy-driven Japanese fantasy world.
Platform: Nintendo Switch™ / Planned release: 2026 / Price: TBD / Languages: Japanese & English
Developed by: KOHACHI STUDIO
According to Automaton West, Navinosuke was originally intended to be a geolocation-based game. It would have involved connecting a GPS unit to the GBA and walking around to encounter monsters — yo-kai, in this case. This mechanic was later thrown out, and while Navinosuke was subsequently reworked to accommodate the change, a commercial release never came to fruition. Even sadder is that the game ended up being the old Metal Slug team’s final effort.
Navinosuke: The Yo-kai Buster Screenshots
Navinosuke: The Yo-kai Buster is coming to Switch in early 2026. Check out the official website for more; the pixel art is certainly worth your time, in my opinion.
Stay tuned to RPGFan for more coverage. We love shedding light on previously forgotten games like this, whenever the opportunity arises!
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