Yoku's Island Express combines pinball and running and jumping games. You run, bounce and collect special items, engage in battles with fantasy enemies and explore a large open-world. Just like a classic pinball machine you use paddles and bumpers placed around the world to launch Yoku into new areas, unlock secret areas, and battle bosses.

You play Yoku, a beetle attached to a ball who has a new job as a postal worker for Mokumana Island. When you start work you discover that the locals need more than their mail delivered. The island god has fallen into a restless sleep with nightmares causing quakes and storms for the islanders. You explore the island making deliveries all while trying to help the islanders by awakening the island god.

As you progress you use the pinball paddles and bumpers to get around the world. As you explore each screen is a distinct area that is just like a mini pinball table. They have their own obstacles to avoid, lanes to fire down, and skill shots to unlock secret areas and items.

The joy of the game is how these elements come together to tell an endearing story. You may only be pinging Yoku around with the flippers, but in doing this you are saving the day for the island folk you meet.