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Although I thoroughly enjoyed the recent indie games event was undoubtedly entertaining, my biggest takeaway was not the intended one: I am certain that 2026 will be the peak period for frogs in video games.

Exactly five of the highlighted projects—Frog Sqwad, Stretchmancer, Unshine Arcade, Awaysis, and Big Hops—in some way feature these hoppy characters. Considering a band of frogs is termed an army, it seems they are launching an invasion.

The Enduring Appeal of Amphibians

Amphibians have been anything but new to the world of games. Ever since the era of Frogger to the iconic froggy chair in Animal Crossing, they have enjoyed a niche presence. But, their popularity has noticeably exploded in recent times.

A cursory search for "frog game" on Steam yields an staggering number of results. While, some of these are obscure titles, a sizable number are serious Frog Games.

A Data-Driven Dive

To quantify this trend, I conducted a deep dive into the past five years of frog-related gaming on Steam. My approach was somewhat arbitrary, prioritizing games with frogs in the title or featured in screenshots.

The data tell a compelling story: a consistent rise from less than 20 titles in 2020 to nearly 60 in 2025.

This notable escalation prompts the question: why the sudden leap? The amphibian's rising status in the public consciousness is partially apparent elsewhere, such as the resurgence of Frog and Toad as beloved characters. Yet, the wave in gaming looks particularly strong.

Designing for a Sticky Tongue

In my opinion, this is a movement I can get behind. Frogs have inherent appealing traits for game developers.

• Unique Characters: They are perfectly suited to be designed as quirky characters that often become a highlight in any game.
• Innovative Systems: Their long tongues and grappling abilities lend themselves to a myriad of creative gameplay ideas.

A number of the showcased games directly leverage these traits. Examples include the tongue-swinging in Big Hops and the extra-long limb puzzles of Stretchmancer.

On the Cusp of a Croaking Renaissance

So, what is the outlook for 2026? With five frog games publicly revealed before the year has officially commenced—and the possibility for more—the evidence suggests for it to be the biggest year so far.

If these games perform well—and historically, games from this showcase tend to succeed—we could very well be witnessing a full-blown amphibian entertainment revival.