Yoshi and the Mysterious Book Review
- Matthew Rondina
- Jun 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 8
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a charming puzzle platformer full of discovery, whimsy, and Yoshi magic.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is full of creativity, charm, and that unmistakable Yoshi personality. As someone who has always had a soft spot for Yoshi and his many adventures beyond the mainline Mario games, I went into this one hoping for something playful, warm, and a little different.
What I liked most is how the game captures that classic Yoshi feeling while giving it a fresh storybook-style twist. It feels like a cozy bedtime story, a nature film, and a Nintendo puzzle platformer all rolled into one adorable package.
It is not the hardest platformer, and it is not trying to be. Instead, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book focuses on curiosity, creature discovery, and playful experimentation. The game’s cozy element lets you slow down, look around, and interact with everything in each beautifully crafted page.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book Details
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
Developer: Good-Feel
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Puzzle platformer/adventure platformer
Available game modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Yoshi’s Latest Adventure is a Page-Turner
The story in Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is simple, sweet, and full of adorable adventuring. The game starts off with a mysterious talking book named Mr. E, which lands on Yoshi’s Island and needs help remembering the creatures inside its pages.
Naturally, Yoshi jumps in to help. The main goal is to explore different pages of the book, study strange creatures, and log information as “discoveries.” I liked this setup because it gives the game a different rhythm from a traditional run-and-jump platformer.
You are not just moving from left to right. You are observing, experimenting, and figuring out how each creature behaves. The story is not deep, but it gives the adventure a fun purpose and makes every new discovery feel rewarding.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book Gameplay
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is still a 2D Yoshi adventure at heart. You can flutter jump, ground pound, grab enemies with Yoshi’s tongue, and toss eggs. Those familiar moves are still fun, but the real focus here is puzzle solving.
Each level features different creatures with unique behaviours. Some can break rocks, some can be carried, some glide, and others react to Yoshi in funny or unexpected ways. I liked how the game encouraged me to slow down and test things out. What happens if I carry this creature over here? What happens if I throw it?
The discovery system gives the game its personality. Instead of rushing through levels, I found myself paying attention to each creature and environment. This is a big plus as the games’ stunning environments really deserve to be explored and taken in. The best moments happen when you suddenly understand how everything connects.
That said, the game is definitely on the easier side, which is understandable as it’s aimed at a younger audience. Overall, the charm and creativity kept me engaged, but if you are looking for a tough platforming challenge, you may find this a little too easy.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book: Graphics and Performance
Visually, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is beautiful on Nintendo Switch 2. Good-Feel has always been great at giving Yoshi games a handmade look, and this one leans into a storybook style that fits beautifully.
The worlds are bright, soft, and full of personality. Yoshi, the creatures, and the environments all look like they belong inside an illustrated children’s book. It gives the game a warm and friendly feel. I especially liked how the discovery theme carries through the presentation. The creature logs, page-turning structure, and animated habitats make everything feel alive. I genuinely looked forward to the next level just to see what visual treat or unique twist was in store. For me, the game’s visual charm is one of its biggest strengths.
Final Thoughts on Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a charming, creative, and thoughtful Nintendo Switch 2 adventure.
It is not the deepest or most challenging platformer, and I do wish some of its best ideas were pushed a little further. Still, the game succeeds because it understands what makes Yoshi special. It is warm, silly, creative, and full of personality. It made me want to explore every page, meet every creature, and uncover every discovery.
For longtime Yoshi fans, families, younger players, and anyone looking for a cozy puzzle platformer, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is easy to recommend. It may not rewrite the book on platformers, but it absolutely earns its place on the Nintendo Switch 2 shelf.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book PROS
+Beautiful storybook art style
+Fun discovery-focused gameplay
+Charming creatures and cozy Nintendo personality
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book CONS
-Might not be enough of a challenge for hardcore platforming gamers
-Some ideas could go further
-Soundtrack is pleasant but not especially memorable
Overall Assessment of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 7/10
Lasting appeal / Replayability: 8/10
Overall Rating: 32/40
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book Overall Score: 8/10 — 80%
Nintendo provided a copy of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book in order to conduct this review.
About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina
Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a video game and tech industry veteran who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. In addition to being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on multiple social platforms with the handle @dapper_tux via X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and join in on the fun!
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