While the Wii U seemed to be nearly overflowing with platformers based on Nintendo's most beloved mascots, the Nintendo Switch by comparison is still lacking a few of the most important platforming pals. Enter Yoshi, for Yoshi's Crafted World, which appears to be exactly the kind of wholesome Nintendo action platforming that fans of Nintendo's development studios love. This is the same Yoshi game that was originally announced at E3 2017, and after a long development, its release appears to finally be approaching.

• Yoshi's Crafted World Bosses

Here's everything we know so far about what you'll get to do in Yoshi's Crafted World:

Yoshi's Crafted World is out today! Who's got the game or planning to pick it up? 8; Yoshi's Crafted World demo out now on the eShop 4; Yoshi's Crafted World coming to Switch March 29th - new.

What is Yoshi's Crafted World?

Yoshi's Crafted World is the latest Yoshi title from Good-Feel, following Yoshi's Woolly World for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. It shares many similarities with its predecessor, the most obvious being that it's another Yoshi action-platforming game. But both games make use of a crafts-like aesthetic, with Woolly World focusing on fabrics and Crafted World using paper items in the style of a miniature diorama. Most of Woolly World's mechanics, enemies, and concepts make returns in Crafted World, though the game and its levels are entirely new.

Yoshi's Crafted World Bosses

One of the big draws of Yoshi's Crafted World is this craft aesthetic, which can manifest in interesting platforming sections where you're leaping across rolled bits of paper, flowers made of wood and string, and facing enemies that look like a 5-year-old made them in art class!

Is there a story?

Like many other Yoshi games, there is a light story guiding your adventures across Yoshi's island home. Baby Bowser and Kamek appear in the Yoshi's happy home and steal the coveted Sundream Stone, scattering its gems across multiple worlds. As Yoshi, you'll have to track down the Sundream Stone and stop a horde of Baby Bowser and Kamek's minions along the way. That means lots of collectibles and hidden secrets, just like in past Yoshi games!

How do you play?

Like past Yoshi games, Yoshi's main abilities are his flutter jump and his ability to eat enemies and turn them into eggs. As a platformer, you'll need to use Yoshi's ability to jump and flutter jump to climb and cross levels. But enemies will fly, run, and roll at you as you go, so you'll also have to work your way forward by eating them, turning them into eggs, and then using those eggs to throw at other enemies or at certain spots on the map to reveal hidden platforms or secrets.

And like its predecessor Yoshi's Woolly World, Yoshi's Crafted World will feature unlockable Yoshi color palettes you can swap to as you collect them, allowing you to play as an adorably soft Yoshi in any number of different colors and patterns.

What's this about flipping levels?

The big 'gimmick' of Yoshi's Crafted World is that levels can be 'flipped.' Levels are designed on a three-dimensional plane, with enemies in the foreground and background and with the ability to flip the level backward and play from the other side. This is occasionally done as a part of the regular gameplay of the level, but you can also play any level from back to front flipped over after you beat it forward.

This doesn't just apply to the game's flip mechanics, though. Because the game is a 2D platformer on a 3D plane, you'll often find yourself moving forward and back in a three-dimensional space to avoid enemies, collect items and coins, and platform through obstacles.

This will surely result in some interesting challenges and platforming puzzles, so keep an eye out for ways flipping the level can change your perspective!

Can I play with a friend?

You can! Yoshi's Crafted World includes the ability to play with two players at once, each in control of a Yoshi. You can help one another get through all the levels for a bit of extra assistance you wouldn't otherwise have while playing solo.

When can I get it?

Yoshi's Woolly World is planned for launch on March 29, 2019 and will cost $59.99.

Want to know more?

Need more details on Yoshi's Crafted World? Let me know in the comments!

February 2019: Added release date, story info, info about Yoshi color palettes.

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So, you're starting to wrap up your play-through of Yoshi's Crafted World, and maybe it felt a little easy to you. Sure, some of the collectibles are tricky to find, but just finishing the levels might have been a cinch, especially if you opted for Mellow Mode. But don't worry. If you were hoping for a bigger challenge, Good Feel has a few more mountains for you to climb...or rather, hills. Hidden Hills.

The game's most difficult levels are located in Hidden Hills. Here's how to unlock them.

What is Hidden Hills?

Hidden Hills is a short series of bonus levels at the end of Yoshi's Crafted World. Though most of the other levels in this game can be completed fairly easily (though their collectibles may prove much more of a challenge), Hidden Hills levels are tough as nails.

Two of them (the first and the third) are tricky platforming challenges with huge gaps, moving platforms, and very few 'safe' spots to rest, as well as the added caveat that if you fall anywhere in the level, it's game over and you have to start from the beginning (other levels just return you to the last safe spot you stood with a health penalty). The second Hidden Hills level is more of a dodging and collecting challenge as you rise on a magnet platform, avoiding security lights that will send enemies to attack you, and perform a final series of tricky jumps across flying enemies.

These levels can be difficult, even on Mellow Mode. Good luck!

How do you unlock Hidden Hills?

Hidden Hills will automatically appear on your overworld after you beat the normal final boss of Yoshi's Crafted World. However, in order to access it, you'll have to pay a hefty Smiley Flower price.

A Blockafeller at the entrance of the levels asks you for 30 Smiley Flowers to gain access, but that only unlocks a single level. There are three total levels in Hidden Hills, and you'll need 30 Smiley Flowers for each - 90 total. If you don't want to backtrack after every single level, I recommend returning to prior levels and stocking up on Smiley Flowers before you try to tackle these tricky platforming challenges.

There is also a 'secret' final boss lying in wait at the end of Hidden Hills, and far tougher than the regular final boss. You must beat all three levels to get to them. You'll also have to, once again, pay up. It's 50 Smiley Flowers to challenge them. On top of the 90 you already need for the Hidden Hills levels, you'll want a whopping 140 Smiley Flowers to clear the entirety of this zone.

What does the Blockafeller give you for 317 Smiley Flowers?

After beating the final boss in Kamek Kerfuffle, the Blockafeller you've been climbing the mountain with will ask you for 317 Smiley Flowers. This number is the amount of flowers remaining in the game after all other Blockafellers are fed and all levels are unlocked, which they should be at this point.

It's a daunting task to collect this many. You'll need to collect all Smiley Flowers in each level, plus all bonus flowers gained from 100 coins, 20 Red Coins, and 20 hearts. You'll also need to do every Flip Side level, finishing with all three Poochy Pups within the time limit, and go back and collect all souvenirs for the Blockafellers and complete all their scavenger hunts. That will amount to 317 extra Smiley Flowers, which you can then pay the Blockafeller for a bonus costume for Yoshi: The Sundream Stone costume.

Any questions?

Stuck on Hidden Hills? Let me know in the comments!

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Dell Mobile Connect just got a whole lot better for iPhone users

A fresh update is now available for Dell Mobile Connect, making the app work just as well with iOS devices as it does with Android phones. Now, iOS users can mirror their screen on their PCs and send files back and forth between devices.