October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
VGSources
Blog

Yo-Kai Watch 2 Reviews: Which Version Should You Get?

Nintendo Life praised Psychic Specters as a polished entry point, while GameSpot criticized the original editions’ slow start. Here’s how to choose among the three versions.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Yo-Kai Watch 2 earned a 7.6/10 from Nintendo Life’s 2017 review of the European version of Psychic Specters, while GameSpot’s 2016 review of Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls emphasized how slowly the sequel gets to its new story. The editions share much of their story and structure, but Psychic Specters adds content and is the clearest pick for newcomers. If you already own one of the original editions, whether it is worth getting depends on how much you want the extras.

What did the reviews say about Yo-Kai Watch 2?

Nintendo Life: polished and inviting, especially for newcomers

Morgan Sleeper’s Nintendo Life review, published 29 September 2017, scored the European version of Psychic Specters 7.6/10. Sleeper praised its polish, charm, and RPG formula, and recommended it to players who had not played either earlier edition. The review’s verdict is one critic’s assessment, not a measure of universal opinion.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

GameSpot: a slow start to the sequel’s new material

Alexa Ray Corriea’s GameSpot review, published 5 October 2016, examines Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls. Corriea criticizes the opening for repeating elements of the first game and says it takes many hours for the central new story to emerge. The review also recognizes the series’ humor and setting. This is a contrasting individual review, not evidence of a general critical consensus.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Which Yo-Kai Watch 2 version should you get?

If you are new to Yo-Kai Watch 2: choose Psychic Specters

Psychic Specters is the strongest single-version recommendation supported by these reviews. It retains the main story and structure shared with the original editions while adding quests, Yo-kai, areas, and an expanded Blasters mode. Sleeper’s recommendation was direct: “This Psychic Specters edition perfects the formula, and if you’ve never played any version of Yo-Kai Watch 2, this is the one to get”. That is the reviewer’s opinion, not a guarantee that every player will prefer it.

#1 Best Overall
YO-KAI WATCH 2: Fleshy Souls - Nintendo 3DS
  • More than 100 new Yo-kai
  • a new-and-improved in-game Yo-kai Watch
  • and even the ability to travel back in time!
  • “E10+” w/Comic Mischief and Fantasy Violence

If you want the original paired editions: Bony Spirits or Fleshy Souls

Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls are the original paired releases. They differ in version-specific Yo-kai and some story details, as described by Common Sense Media. The sources available here do not establish a complete list of exclusives, so this is not an exhaustive edition-by-edition comparison. Nintendo’s official pages cover Bony Spirits and Psychic Specters.

If you already own Bony Spirits or Fleshy Souls: weigh the extras against the shared game

Psychic Specters can import a save from Bony Spirits or Fleshy Souls, according to Nintendo and Nintendo Life. That makes it a practical option for continuing with additional material, but the main story and structure are largely shared. The upgrade’s appeal therefore rests on whether its added quests, Yo-kai, areas, and expanded Blasters mode are enough for you.

Rank #2
YO-KAI WATCH 2: Bony Spirits - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)
  • This renewed game will not come with the original case or manual; cartridge only.
  • Embark on an all-new adventure in Springdale with more than 350 new and returning Yo-kai to discover and befriend—each with a unique look, personality, and Soultimate Move
  • Assemble your team of 6 Yo-kai on your Yo-kai Watch to battle troublemaking Yo-kai, solve people’s problems, and end a civil war between competing Yo-kai factions
  • Touchscreen-based battle actions initiate powerful Soultimate Moves, purify inspirited Yo-kai, and heal your Yo-kai
  • Team up with up to 4 players in an all-new action-based local multiplayer mode

What is the gameplay like?

The reviewed game’s core loop is exploring town, taking quests, befriending Yo-kai, and building a six-member team to face ordinary opponents and bosses. Combat is not standard menu-command RPG fighting: team members act on their own, while you trigger Soultimates and rotate which three of your six Yo-kai are active. Soultimates can also involve short touchscreen minigames.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Blasters is a separate overhead action mode. Psychic Specters expands it with additional bosses, and the review highlights its local co-op appeal.

Rank #3
YO-KAI WATCH 2: Bony Spirits (Nintendo 3DS)
  • Find, battle and befriend Yo-kai
  • Discover the origins of the ever Yo-kai watch
  • Explore an expanded world with different locations and travel through time
  • Bony Spirits or Fleshy Souls? Each version of Yo-Kai watch 2 includes five and distinct Yo-kai which can be traded locally and online; players can participate in the Fleshy Souls and Bony Spirits rivalry by playing online, winning battles and earning points to help their chosen team emerge victorious in the weekly Bony vs Fleshy army battles
  • Compatible with 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, New 3DS and New 3DS consoles
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How should you interpret the review scores?

The figure reported here is Nintendo Life’s 7.6/10 for its 2017 European-version review of Psychic Specters. GameSpot’s 2016 coverage assesses the earlier pair and offers a more critical view of the sequel’s pacing rather than a directly comparable score in the evidence summarized here. The reviews appeared in different years and cover different editions; neither alone establishes a shared critical verdict. Current prices and stock are not established here, so check the specific edition, region, and condition before buying.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
YO-KAI WATCH 2: Fleshy Souls - Nintendo 3DS
YO-KAI WATCH 2: Fleshy Souls - Nintendo 3DS
More than 100 new Yo-kai; a new-and-improved in-game Yo-kai Watch; and even the ability to travel back in time!
$79.12
Bestseller No. 2
YO-KAI WATCH 2: Bony Spirits - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)
YO-KAI WATCH 2: Bony Spirits - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)
This renewed game will not come with the original case or manual; cartridge only.; Team up with up to 4 players in an all-new action-based local multiplayer mode
$68.61
Bestseller No. 3
YO-KAI WATCH 2: Bony Spirits (Nintendo 3DS)
YO-KAI WATCH 2: Bony Spirits (Nintendo 3DS)
Find, battle and befriend Yo-kai; Discover the origins of the ever Yo-kai watch; Explore an expanded world with different locations and travel through time
$74.98
Bestseller No. 4
Bestseller No. 5
YO-KAI WATCH 2: Fleshy Souls (Nintendo 3DS)
YO-KAI WATCH 2: Fleshy Souls (Nintendo 3DS)
Find, battle and befriend Yo-kai; Discover the origins of the ever Yo-kai watch; Explore an expanded world with different locations and travel through time
$103.88
Best Value
YO-KAI WATCH 2: Fleshy Souls (Nintendo 3DS)
  • Find, battle and befriend Yo-kai
  • Discover the origins of the ever Yo-kai watch
  • Explore an expanded world with different locations and travel through time
  • Bony Spirits or Fleshy Souls? Each version of Yo-Kai watch 2 includes five and distinct Yo-kai which can be traded locally and online
  • players can participate in the Fleshy Souls and Bony Spirits rivalry by playing online, winning battles and earning points to help their chosen team emerge victorious in the weekly Bony vs Fleshy army battles;Compatible with 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, New 3DS and New 3DS consoles

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More quests from Patch Notes

  1. How to Set Up a RedM (RDR2) Server in 2026: License Key, txAdmin and server.cfg, Step by StepBlog11min
  2. Best RedM (RDR2) Server Hosting in 2026: Comparing Four Hosts on Slots, Memory and PriceBlog10min
  3. How to Host a Mindustry Server in 2026: server-release.jar, Port 6567 and the Commands That MatterBlog7min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.