Boxboy + Boxgirl approved for Switch 2 as HAL returns to puzzle roots

BoxBoy! + BoxGirl! has cleared Taiwan's rating board for Switch 2, developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo. The side-scrolling puzzle-platformer packs 270 new stages and supports two-player co-op.

7 out of 10. HAL's been reliable with compact puzzle games since the Game Boy Kirby days. The core box-spawning mechanic stays intact—you're still solving spatial puzzles with blocks—but 270 stages is a decent offering for Switch 2. Co-op mode helps, at least you're not staring at the screen alone.

The repetition problem hits hard though. First 50 stages feel fresh, then the remaining 200 become mechanical permutations. HAL's puzzle design doesn't reach Portal's escalating complexity. Late-game feels like grinding through problem sets, not playing.

This works for commute sessions. Switch 2's launch lineup needs these smaller titles—not everyone's chasing AAA releases. If you liked Mega Man's stage-based structure, worth a look. Don't expect it to hold your attention for extended sessions. It lacks that weight.

Multiple Switch 2 titles have been clearing regional rating boards recently as Nintendo stocks the new platform. BoxBoy! is an established IP, makes sense as transitional filler content. Worth buying under $30. Above that, wait for a sale—270 stages don't justify premium pricing.