Mina the Hollower Joins Rivals of Aether II as First Guest Character in 2027
Yacht Club Games' acclaimed Metroidvania hit Mina the Hollower — Metacritic 90, Very Positive on Steam — will enter the roster of Rivals of Aether II as its first-ever guest character in 2027. The crossover unites two indie heavyweights and is no coincidence: Shovel Knight already appeared in the original Rivals of Aether.
Published June 29, 2026
Two Indie Heavyweights, One Crossover
On June 27, 2026, Aether Studios announced via Gematsu that Mina the Hollower would join Rivals of Aether II as its first-ever guest character — arriving sometime in 2027. It is a pairing that makes sense on paper and carries real weight in practice: both games represent the upper tier of the modern indie scene.
Mina the Hollower launched on May 28, 2026, developed and published by Yacht Club Games exclusively for PC via Steam. The action/adventure Metroidvania carries a Metacritic score of 90 and a Very Positive rating on Steam (89.5% positive across 5,369 reviews). At $19.99, it quickly accumulated millions of sales, establishing itself as Yacht Club's next major hit after the studio's iconic mascot Shovel Knight.
Rivals of Aether II launched on October 23, 2024, developed and published by Aether Studios and offbrand games. The platform fighter holds a Mostly Positive score on Steam (79.8% positive across 8,576 reviews).
A Crossover With History
This is not the first time these two studios have crossed paths. Shovel Knight — Yacht Club Games' flagship character — was already a playable guest fighter in the original Rivals of Aether. Bringing Mina the Hollower into the sequel is a natural continuation of that relationship, and a clear signal of how much traction Mina has gained since launch.
For Aether Studios, landing an IP with a Metacritic score of 90 and millions of copies sold as the first guest character in the sequel is a strong statement about the game's ambitions going forward.
What to Expect in the Meantime
Mina will not arrive alone in the roadmap. Before her 2027 debut, Rivals of Aether II will receive Gouie (The Lost Mireling) as a free character update on August 4, 2026.
One important caveat: according to Nintendo Life's reporting on the Rivals of Aether II roadmap, console releases for the game are not expected until 2028. That means the Mina the Hollower Rivals of Aether II crossover will remain PC-exclusive for the foreseeable future — something to keep in mind if you are waiting for a console version.
Why This Matters
Crossover guest characters in fighting and platform fighters are often treated as a marketing exercise, but this one carries genuine indie credibility on both sides. Mina the Hollower is not a legacy franchise cashing in on nostalgia — it is a brand-new IP that earned its reception through critical and commercial performance. Its selection as the first guest character in Rivals of Aether II speaks to how rapidly it has become a reference point in the indie space.
No specific release window beyond 2027 has been announced for Mina's arrival in the roster.
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