Mini Review: Kabuto Park (Switch) – Gotta Catch ‘Em All In This Cosy, Bug-Battling Deckbuilder
Kabuto Park is a cosy bug-collecting deckbuilder developed by French indie studio Doot Tiny Games for Nintendo Switch. The game combines the bug-collecting appeal of Pokémon with the relaxed gameplay style of Animal Crossing. Players assume the role of Hana, who visits the titular park for a month to catch bugs and reconnect with friends.
The game uses menu-driven progression rather than traditional exploration, with four unlockable areas to discover. The core gameplay loop combines bug-catching and battling mechanics. The catching system features a minigame inspired by Gears of War’s Active Reload mechanic, creating an engaging and tactile experience. The game supports Joy-Con controls with motion-swing options, with difficulty scaling based on area and bug rarity.
Despite echoing Pokémon’s famous tagline, Kabuto Park establishes its own identity as a bite-sized indie title prioritizing accessibility and coziness over complex mechanics. The light narrative and focus on collecting and battling rather than exploration make it an appealing choice for players seeking a relaxed gaming experience.