Mina the Hollower Is One of 2026’s Best-Reviewed Games, but Its Developer Wants Stronger Sales

Mina the Hollower has sold 300,000 copies worldwide within its first three days on the market, giving developers Yacht Club Games an encouraging start after a difficult and financially uncertain development cycle.

The retro-inspired action-adventure game launched on May 29, 2026, following more than six years of development. It is available across PC and consoles, including PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch and Switch 2.

Mina the Hollower Reaches 300,000 Sales at a Crucial Time for Yacht Club Games

The early sales milestone is particularly important for Yacht Club Games, the studio behind Shovel Knight. According to Game Developer (via GamesRadar), studio co-founder Sean Velasco told Bloomberg that the launch performance means the developer can continue operating without relying on layoffs or outside investment.

Before the game's release, Yacht Club Games had made it clear that Mina the Hollower needed to perform well. The studio had reportedly burned through much of its available capital, placed a separate 3D Shovel Knight project on hold and focused its resources on getting Mina the Hollower across the finish line.

Velasco previously described the launch as a "make-or-break" moment of the studio, suggesting that 200,000 copies would be a positive result and 500,000 sales would leave the developer in a comfortable position. Reaching 300,000 sales in three days puts the game comfortably above the lower end of that target, although Yacht Club Games clearly believes it can reach a much larger audience over time.

Yacht Club Games Wants Mina the Hollower to Reach More Players

Despite the strong opening, Velasco appears to have mixed feelings about the game’s commercial performance when compared with its critical reception.

“I wonder how come the best-reviewed game of 2026 is not the fastest-selling game,” Velasco said, adding that he feels “a big fire lit to close that gap.”

At the time of the report, Mina the Hollower was tied for the highest-rated game of the year on Metacritic. The game has received widespread praise for combining the structure and exploration of classic The Legend of Zelda games with darker influences, challenging combat and an interconnected world.

The comparison between review scores and sales is not necessarily straightforward. Mina the Hollower is a new intellectual property rather than an established franchise, and its intentionally retro presentation may limit its immediate reach compared with major releases carrying familiar names.

Still, 300,000 copies in three days is a meaningful result for an independent studio, especially for a game that does not have the same mainstream visibility as larger releases.

Mina the Hollower Costs $19.99 on Steam

Price may help the game maintain momentum. Mina the Hollower is currently listed at $19.99 on Steam, without a launch discount for the standalone version. It is also available through discounted bundles with games including Mewgenics and No Rest for the Wicked.

The lower starting price appears to be a deliberate decision. Velasco previously explained that Yacht Club Games did not want players to wait for a future discount, arguing that the studio only gets one opportunity to make a strong first impression with a new game.

Whether Mina the Hollower can sustain its initial sales momentum remains to be seen. However, the first three days have already provided Yacht Club Games with a much-needed commercial foundation — and potentially the start of another long-running series.

What Is Mina the Hollower?

Mina the Hollower is a single-player action-adventure game from the creators of Shovel Knight. Players control Mina, a Hollower sent on a mission to rescue a cursed island. The game features top-down exploration, whip-based combat, underground burrowing mechanics and a selection of sidearms and trinkets that can be used to customise Mina’s abilities.

Its visual style is heavily inspired by Game Boy Color-era games, although Yacht Club Games has added modern features such as widescreen visuals, more detailed animation and interconnected level design.

FAQ

How many copies has Mina the Hollower sold?

Mina the Hollower sold 300,000 copies worldwide during its first three days on the market.

What platforms is Mina the Hollower available on?

Mina the Hollower is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

How much does Mina the Hollower cost?

The standalone version of Mina the Hollower is priced at $19.99 on Steam.

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