Kohachi Studio has confirmed that Navinosuke: The Yo-Kai Buster is on track for a 2026 release on Nintendo Switch. The studio also announced that the game’s main scenario is fully complete, marking a major milestone for the revival of this long-lost Game Boy Advance RPG. Fans can now expect a polished 2D pixel art JRPG set in a fictional version of ancient Japan.

Development Update and Studio Reflections

In a New Year’s statement, Kohachi Studio reflected on their hectic 2025. The team developed Navinosuke alongside another title, Black Finger Jet, which resulted in an intense schedule with almost no days off. They had originally planned to finish the main scenario by the end of 2025. However, the scenario was completed only recently.

Now, the studio is focusing on refining battle balance, improving gameplay feel, and adding multilingual support. They also mentioned that sales from Navinosuke will fund further development of Black Finger Jet. This highlights the release’s importance not only for fans but also for the studio’s future projects.

Rediscovering a Lost JRPG

Navinosuke: The Yo-Kai Buster began development over 20 years ago. Staff who previously worked on the Metal Slug series created the game for the Game Boy Advance. Its original GPS-based concept fell apart, preventing release despite a completed scenario. Kohachi Studio is now rebuilding the game for Nintendo Switch. They are adding modern features, quality-of-life improvements, and full English language support, giving players worldwide a chance to experience the title for the first time.

Gameplay and Characters

Players control Navinosuke, a cheerful mechanical onmyoji trainee who travels through YO-KAI-infested stages. Players can battle wild YO-KAI, befriend them, and build a team for combat. The game features five YO-KAI attributes, each with unique abilities, which allows for diverse tactical strategies.

Notable YO-KAI include Senko, a mystical fox spirit; Nekomata, a vengeful cat spirit; and Baku, a legendary beast that devours nightmares. The game also introduces a colorful cast of human characters. Sadatsuna of Utsunomiya hosts a beauty pageant, while Keiichi races through Suzuka Pass. Other characters include Tamamo, the dancing country girl, Elder Takenaka, the supportive retainer, and Satoru, a super esper who can read minds.

Looking Ahead

With the main scenario complete, players can expect a Nintendo Switch release in early 2026. The studio is now tuning combat, polishing gameplay, and completing language support. After years of anticipation, Navinosuke: The Yo-Kai Buster is finally ready to bring its unique JRPG world of YO-KAI and adventure to modern audiences.

If you want to get more updates, you can check out Kohachi Studio’s official X account.