Review: Yoshi & Amazing Encyclopedia – Switch 2 Platformer Starter

When Nintendo comes to mind, a variety of genres surface, yet the platformer remains the first that springs to mind. For over four decades, the Super Mario series has stood as the textbook exemplar of the genre, a status cemented by its cinematic release last month. Nintendo has never settled for the familiar; it has continually pushed the platformer envelope through spin‑offs, most notably the Yoshi series that centers on the lovable dinosaur who first appeared in Yoshi’s Island for the Super Famicom in 1995. After more than 30 years of evolution, the franchise’s 30th‑anniversary entry, Yoshi & the Amazing Encyclopedia, arrives as a landmark title that revisits the core philosophy of Nintendo’s platformers.

Good‑Feel, the studio that has helmed the series since 2015, has returned to the foundational principles that defined the franchise’s early days. By stripping away the fear of game‑over and encouraging experimentation, the new title invites players to explore without penalty—falling or failing simply resets the challenge, allowing continuous play and discovery.

The game’s design philosophy departs from the traditional “run‑and‑jump” template. Instead of racing toward a fixed goal, Yoshi embarks on a quest to restore a damaged encyclopedia, venturing into the habitats of forgotten creatures. Each entry is a puzzle: players must observe, experiment, and manipulate the environment—using Yoshi’s tongue, swallowing, or spitting—to unlock the creature’s secrets.

Without the looming threat of a game‑over, the experience becomes a sandbox of curiosity. Players can freely test hypotheses—such as planting a flower seed on a rock to trigger a fissure—or combine items in inventive ways, like feeding a pepper to alter a creature’s behavior. This open‑ended approach encourages a playful, “try‑and‑see” mindset that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

As the first six regions conclude, new areas unlock, culminating in a climactic encounter with the mythical Phoenix. The final stages weave together the knowledge gathered from earlier puzzles, demanding that players apply their discoveries in increasingly complex ways. Boss battles, while less tense due to the absence of failure, still reward creative problem‑solving and resourcefulness.

Despite its relaxed core, the game’s level design remains tight. Developers carefully spaced challenges to prevent the sense of stagnation that can accompany endless exploration. By limiting the time spent on any single area to about fifteen minutes, the designers maintain momentum while still offering depth.

Throughout the journey, subtle hints guide the player, but the emphasis remains on self‑directed discovery. The interface, while functional, is intentionally minimalistic to keep the focus on the world rather than on menus.

In the broader context of platformers, Yoshi & the Amazing Encyclopedia exemplifies Nintendo’s enduring belief that games should be approachable yet engaging. It serves as an ideal entry point for newcomers to the Switch and for those who find traditional platformers intimidating, reaffirming the company’s long‑standing philosophy that games must be easy to learn but hard to master.