This ‘Zelda Meets Ghibli’ Gem Just Crushed Its Kickstarter

By Lazy Sith Gaming News
12 February 2026 no comments

There’s a specific kind of magic in low-poly graphics that hits me right in the chest. It’s not just about nostalgia; it’s about that weird, dreamlike atmosphere where everything feels slightly off-kilter but incredibly cozy.

If you grew up trying to save Hyrule or Termina in Ocarina Of Time or Majora’s Mask, you know exactly the feeling I’m talking about.

Now, imagine that specific N64 vibe mixed with the wholesome chaos of Studio Ghibli. That is exactly what Bel’s Fanfare is bringing to the table, and frankly, I am obsessed.

The Creators of Cozy Magic Return

I was already paying attention when I saw the art style, but my hype levels skyrocketed when I saw who was behind it.

Bel’s Fanfare is being developed by Chibig, the Spanish studio that gave us Mika and the Witch’s Mountain. If you played that, you remember it as the delightful mashup of Wind Waker and Kiki’s Delivery Service.

They have a knack for taking familiar Nintendo inspirations and twisting them into something fresh. The gaming community clearly agrees with me here.

The Kickstarter for this project didn't just meet its goal; it absolutely crushed it. We are talking 600% funded in just three days.

At last check, they’ve almost raised over $500,000. That is a lot of people hungry for this specific flavor of retro adventure.

Cleaning Up The Witch of the Sea

The premise here is just delightful. You aren't saving a princess in a castle.

You are on a prestigious magical ship called The Witch of the Sea. But the ship is plagued by a nasty "aura," and you play as the stoker's daughter.

Your job? Clean it up.

While the aesthetic screams Ocarina of Time, the gameplay loop actually reminds me of Luigi’s Mansion.

You explore the ship, room by room, cleansing the bad vibes. Sometimes that aura is hostile, so you’ll have to fight.

It sounds like a satisfying loop of combat and cleaning that scratches a very specific itch. The developers explicitly stated they want to replicate the "artifacts" of the games we played as kids.

You can see it in the big-headed characters and hear it in the whimsical, slightly strange orchestral music.

The Long Wait for Departure

Now, here is the bad news. We have to wait. Building a world this charming takes time, and Chibig is eyeing an October 2027 release date.

However, they are aiming for a massive launch across Switch 1 (and 2!), PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. It feels like a long time, but for a spiritual successor to the N64 era that looks this authentic?

I’m more than willing to wait.

Setting Sail for Nostalgia

It is rare to find a game that wears its influences so openly without feeling like a cheap copy. Bel's Fanfare manages to look like a lost N64 cartridge you found in a dusty attic, yet it plays with modern sensibilities.

The mix of cleaning mechanics, RPG exploration, and that undeniable Ghibli charm is a winner. 2027 feels far away, but I have a feeling this ship is going to be worth the ticket price.

Lazy Sith

Game Designer raised on metal music and RPGs. I approach gaming news with a cool head. I dissect the technical and narrative aspects without ever forcing it. A relaxed writing style that analyses everything from FPS to RPG.