Article

Yoshi's Crafted World makes cardboard adventures feel huge

20 August 2026

A kid friendly AxelGamer look at Yoshi's Crafted World, with cardboard worlds, egg throwing, hidden flowers, costumes, two player exploring, and cosy Nintendo Switch platforming.

I reckon Yoshi’s Crafted World is one of those games that looks small at first, then suddenly your brain starts noticing a million tiny things. It is a Nintendo Switch game about Yoshi going through levels made to look like cardboard, paper cups, bottle tops, string, foil, boxes, and all sorts of crafty stuff. The official Nintendo site calls it a big adventure in a miniature world of crafts, which is pretty much exactly how it feels when you are playing.

The funny thing is that it does not need to be loud or scary to be exciting. Some games make everything explode every five seconds, but this one is more like exploring a school art project that somehow turned into a proper platforming adventure. You run, jump, flutter in the air, throw eggs, collect coins, and look everywhere for hidden things. It feels calm, but not boring, because there is always something tucked behind a tree, under a platform, or hiding in the background.

My favourite idea is how the levels have a Front Side and a Flip Side. On the first run you play the level normally and try to reach the end. Then the Flip Side lets you go back through from another view and spot stuff you missed. It makes the whole world feel like a real model that someone built on a table. You can see the backs of signs, the tape holding bits together, and the silly little details that make it feel handmade. That is a cool trick because it makes replaying a level feel different instead of just doing the same thing again.

Egg throwing is also way more fun than it sounds. Yoshi can eat enemies, turn them into eggs, then aim at things in the level. Sometimes you are knocking down cardboard clouds or hitting shy guys in the background. Sometimes you are trying to grab a flower that is just out of reach. It can be a bit fiddly if you rush, but that is part of the fun. You feel clever when you line up a shot and hit something that looked like decoration.

There are heaps of collectibles too, especially Smiley Flowers. These are not just random shiny things. They make you slow down and actually look at the level. If you only sprint to the finish, you will miss heaps. That is good for a family game because different players can enjoy it in different ways. One person might just want to finish the stage. Another person might want to find every flower, every red coin, and every silly souvenir on the list.

The costumes are cute as well. Yoshi can wear cardboard outfits that help protect him, like little crafty armour. I like that they fit the whole theme instead of looking too serious. It would be weird if Yoshi suddenly wore something super tough and dramatic. A cardboard costume feels perfect because the whole game is already pretending that paper and boxes are magical.

It is also nice that the game supports two player local play. That makes it better for siblings, cousins, or a parent who wants to join in without needing online stuff. Two player platforming can get chaotic because everyone wants to jump at the same time and someone always gets in the way. But in a game like this, that chaos feels silly instead of stressful. It is the sort of game where you can laugh when something goes wrong and then try again.

I think Yoshi’s Crafted World is best when you are in the mood for exploring rather than rushing. If you want a super hard challenge every second, it might feel too gentle. But that is not really a bad thing. Not every game needs to make you sweat. Sometimes it is awesome to play something bright and friendly where the challenge is spotting details, solving little platforming problems, and enjoying the world.

The art style is the big reason it stands out. A normal grass level is fine, but a grass level made out of paper, boxes, straws, and craft materials feels way more interesting. It makes every area look like something you could almost build at home if you had enough cardboard and patience. That is probably why the game sticks in my head. It feels creative, not just colourful.

For AxelGamer, I would call this a cosy platforming adventure with sneaky collecting and lots of charm. It is kid friendly, easy to understand, and still clever enough to make you pay attention. Yoshi has always been cute, but this game makes him feel like he jumped into a giant craft box and found a whole adventure inside it. That is pretty awesome.