The Revival of Navinosuke
Navinosuke – The Yo-kai Buster, a long-lost, Pokémon-inspired RPG, is finally making its way to the Nintendo Switch. Originally developed in the early 2000s, the game spent more than two decades in obscurity after never receiving an official release. Now revived and updated for modern players, it is coming to Switch in early 2026.
Navinosuke was first brought back into the spotlight by developer KOHACHI STUDIO in June 2025, when the team announced plans to restore and release the project. Recent online attention has renewed interest in the game, which may have been overlooked earlier due to major Nintendo hardware news dominating the conversation at the time.
Set in a fictional version of ancient Japan, Navinosuke follows a young Yo-kai buster who investigates strange disturbances spreading across the land. Yo-kai, supernatural beings that range from mischievous to dangerous, cause these events. Throughout the journey, players encounter over 150 different Yo-kai. They can befriend and recruit some of them, while they must defeat others in battle.
Combat uses a classic turn-based system enhanced by support card mechanics, adding an extra layer of strategy. Many Yo-kai can join the player as allies, assisting during battles in ways that echo familiar monster-collecting RPGs. Building a strong and varied team plays a key role in overcoming tougher encounters.
With its detailed pixel art visuals and deep roots in early 2000s game design, Navinosuke stands out as a fascinating revival. Its blend of folklore, collection-driven gameplay, and carefully modernised systems makes it a project worth watching as its long-awaited release finally approaches.