Happinet has announced Navinosuke: The Yo-kai Buster, a long-lost 2D pixel RPG coming to Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam in 2027.
Developed by Kohachi Studio, the game is joining the Happinet Indie Collection label and is available to wishlist now on Steam.
A Lost RPG Returns
Navinosuke: The Yo-kai Buster was originally developed in secret during the early 2000s by a team led by Akio, a Kohachi Studio creator and veteran of Japan’s arcade game scene.
After remaining unreleased for over 20 years, the team has rebuilt and reimagined the RPG for modern players while preserving the original vision, art, and gameplay foundation.
Ancient Japan, Yo-kai, and Time
The story takes place in a fictional version of ancient Japan inspired by local folklore.
Players follow Navinosuke, a karakuri Onmyoji apprentice created by the secretive Onmyo Bureau as humanity’s last hope against a rising Yo-kai threat. The story also involves a modern human whose soul is sent over 1,000 years into the past, linking their fate with Navinosuke.
Recruit Over 200 Yo-kai
Navinosuke: The Yo-kai Buster features turn-based combat built around elemental affinities and the Shikigami system.
Players can battle Yo-kai and recruit many of them as allies, with over 200 Yo-kai available. That party-building setup gives players room to create different team combinations for each encounter.
Pixel Art From Arcade Veterans
Kohachi Studio has rebuilt every character with detailed pixel art and handcrafted animations.
The studio’s team includes veteran developers who have worked on titles such as Metal Slug and R-Type, which fits the game’s focus on expressive 2D artwork.
Coming in 2027
Navinosuke: The Yo-kai Buster launches in 2027 for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.
Happinet says it will share more information through the game’s official website, X, and YouTube channels.
