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Although I thoroughly enjoyed the recent indie games event was undoubtedly entertaining, my main revelation was perhaps unexpected: I am declaring that 2026 will be the unrivaled era for frogs in video games.

A surprising total of five of the highlighted projects—Frog Sqwad, Stretchmancer, Unshine Arcade, Awaysis, and Big Hops—in some way feature these hoppy characters. Given that a gathering of frogs is called an army, it feels they are staking their claim.

The Enduring Appeal of Amphibians

Amphibians have been far from new to the world of games. From the arcade classic Frogger to the beloved froggy chair in Animal Crossing, they have long held a cult following. But, their popularity has noticeably surged in recent times.

A simple search for "frog game" on Steam yields an staggering number of results. While, some of these are low-budget titles, a significant portion are serious Frog Games.

Tracking the Tadpole Trend

To grasp this trend, I undertook a detailed review into the past five years of frog-related gaming on Steam. My approach was based on clear indicators, prioritizing games with frogs in the title or clearly visible in screenshots.

The findings tell a compelling story: a marked increase from under 20 titles in 2020 to close to 60 in 2025.

This notable escalation prompts the question: what's driving this craze? The creature's growing prominence in the broader culture is somewhat apparent elsewhere, such as the popularity of Frog and Toad as nostalgic figures. But, the trend in gaming seems especially pronounced.

Designing for a Sticky Tongue

Frankly, this is a shift I can get behind. Frogs possess inherent design advantages for game developers.

• Weird Little Guys: They are perfectly suited to be designed as endearing characters that tend to be a standout feature in any game.
• Unique Gameplay: Their long tongues and grappling abilities lend themselves to a host of innovative control schemes.

Many of the announced projects clearly utilize these traits. For instance the tongue-swinging in Big Hops and the stretchy arm puzzles of Stretchmancer.

On the Cusp of a Croaking Renaissance

So, what does this mean for 2026? Given five frog games confirmed for release before the year has even begun—and the chance for more—the stage is set for it to be the most significant year yet.

If these games perform well—and based on past trends, games from this showcase have a strong track record—we might just be witnessing a genuine croaking cultural moment.