Renowned Japanese indie creator Takahiro Miyazawa launched the unique excavation simulator Isekibori (meaning “Relic Dig” in English) on October 1 for Nintendo Switch. Leveraging his passion for unconventional controllers, Miyazawa crafted the game to be experienced with a HORI Guitar Life controller, which is typically bundled with the guitar tutorial game Guitar Life: Lesson 1. In Isekibori, this guitar controller is ingeniously transformed into a virtual shovel for unearthing ancient artifacts.
Isekibori offers 8 distinct stages set in a residential backyard. Players engage in the satisfying task of clearing away soil and debris to reveal hidden treasures that can be collected. As the game progresses, larger artifacts appear, resulting in more extensive and engaging excavation sessions.
Operating the guitar controller involves holding it by the neck with both hands and performing a downward shoveling motion. A connected Joy-Con tracks these movements and converts them into gameplay actions, allowing players to lift and dig through the virtual earth.
The game incorporates a grip strength meter that utilizes the guitar’s fret sensors. To ensure proper controller recognition, players must maintain a firm grip on the sensor-equipped section, filling the gauge. While not explicitly stated, this feature likely serves to verify that players are holding the controller correctly. A gentler option called “Kids Mode” lowers the required pressure to fill the gauge.
In addition to the main game, a 2D mini-game titled “Mini Ruin Digging” provides an alternative experience that can be played using a standard controller.
To celebrate Isekibori’s launch, HORI is offering a special package that includes both the excavation game and Guitar Life: Lesson 1 with its guitar controller. This bundle is priced at 8,680 JPY (approximately $55 USD) and will be available until October 13.
It’s worth noting that Isekibori itself costs only 700 JPY ($4 USD), making the game less expensive than the controller required to play it. However, creative fans often find ways to acquire or craft compatible controllers. Given the developer’s appreciation for unusual controllers, it’s safe to assume he would approve of such ingenuity.
Isekibori is available on Nintendo Switch 1 and 2. The Switch 2 version is exclusively playable in Japanese.