Big Hops launches January 12, 2026 for PS5, Switch, and PC

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I’m super excited to hear that Big Hops, the 3D platformer I’ve been following, is officially coming out on January 12, 2026! Luckshot Games just announced it’ll be available on PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC through Steam. Can’t wait to jump in!

Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:

vAbout

Big Hops is a vibrant 3D platformer where you’ll explore and leap through exciting levels. It features unique gameplay using a frog-like tongue to grab and swing, and you can even grow vegetables to create new paths and overcome obstacles!

Okay, so I’m playing as Hop, this little frog who got snatched up by a sneaky spirit named Diss. Apparently, I’m supposed to be doing some important thing, but honestly, all I want is to get back to my family! Luckily, I met this old raccoon who offered to build me an airship to escape, but I need to find the parts first. Here’s what I need to do to get this airship built:

  • Infiltrate the Gulley Gang’s Hideout at the edge of a vast Red Desert.
  • Become a Bucko and save DrillCO’s Rigs Workers out on the Open Ocean.
  • Sneak past Haven cultists by spelunking under a Shattered Mountain.

Every world you visit tells its own complete story, filled with interesting characters and unique problems. You’ll try to help them, but your motives might not always be pure – are you really trying to do good, or just after valuable Airship Parts? As you explore, you’ll uncover mysteries: Why did Diss take you in the first place? What are those strange Dark Drips he’s so interested in collecting? And will gathering them all actually earn your freedom?

To really understand everything, you’ll need to experience the game yourself, so please support us and help us finish BIG HOPS successfully! Now, let’s move on to discussing how the game plays.

Character designs by Steven Sugar (background designer for Steven Universe and Owl House).

Frog Parkour

In Big Hops, getting around is the most important thing, and the game offers a ton of ways to move! You can roll, dive, jump while crouching, run on walls, climb freely, swim, slide on your belly, walk across tightropes, swing from poles, grind on rails, ride minecarts, and much more. A fantastic platformer needs excellent controls, and Hops delivers some of the best around.

You’ll find inspiration from games like Mario, Sonic Adventure, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Hat in Time. But that’s just the foundation of Hop’s abilities—we’ve added a lot of unique frog-themed elements and options for players to create their own strategies and progress through the game.

Tongue Gameplay

In the game Big Hops, the main way you play is with Hop’s stretchy, frog-like tongue! It’s charming and silly, and it brings a really unique twist to the fast-paced puzzles and platforming.

Your tongue is your main way of getting around and interacting with the world. You can use it to grab objects, launch yourself upwards like a grappling hook, and even swing at incredible speeds!

Hop uses his tongue to quickly open doors, flip switches, and interact with all sorts of objects – even things like flowers and plungers! You’ll continue to discover new and amusing ways to use his tongue throughout the entire game, even after playing for over ten hours.

Veggie Creativity

BIG HOPS features smooth movement and unique tongue-based gameplay, offering a dynamic and flavorful experience. The core of the game lies in using special vegetables to create your own routes through each level.

As you play, you’ll discover different kinds of vegetables, and each one does something special when you use it. Here are a few examples:

  • Mushrooms become bounce pads to help clear hard jumps.
  • Acorns can grow vines around walls and ceilings to help you climb farther.
  • Balloons make temporary platforms and can stack to get serious height.
  • Oil Balls create hookshot points you can bounce off without losing speed.
  • Apples let you place your own tongue swinging points anywhere.
  • Cacti launch tightropes you can use to cross big gaps.

As a huge fan, I love that Hop has a Backpack! Since you can only carry one veggie at a time, it’s super useful for collecting everything you find. The best part? You unlock more space in it as you play! And when things get really hectic, you can open the Backpack to slow down time and figure out your next move – it’s a lifesaver!

Collectibles

BIG HOPS features a wide variety of collectibles, which are common in this type of game. We’ve made sure each collectible is useful in gameplay, so collecting them feels rewarding and not like a chore.

  • Earn Dark Drips to help with Diss’ mysterious mission and unlock secrets.
  • Collect Dark Bits to earn gameplay modifying Trinkets for your backpack.
  • Buy Veggies and upgrade your Backpack, Wallet, and more at Drilson’s Depot.
  • Buy outfits, hats, and dyes to customize Hop’s look at Odette’s Outfitters.
  • Find and Identify real Bugs to fill your collection in Bugsy’s Conservatory.
  • Uncover Blueprints to build totally normal and not-at-all busted Gadgets.
  • Find Mixtapes to play on in-game on your Boombox or Hop-man.

Equipping Trinkets means decorating your Backpack!

Big Adventure

We’re really excited about the variety of locations in Big Hops. As you journey through the four main Worlds – Forest, Desert, Ocean, and Mountain – you’ll discover lots of unexpected areas like the Boneyard, Bucko Cove, Hydro Plant, and Gulley Gang HQ. All these different places help create a true sense of adventure!

Inspirations

I, Chris Wade, launched Big Hops in 2019, six years ago, with the aim of bringing a fresh take to 3D platformer games. I was really inspired by how games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Spelunky, and Rimworld were giving players so much freedom and allowing for creative gameplay, and I wanted to achieve that same kind of experience in the platformer genre.

Over time, Big Hops has evolved into a game with a lot going on, incorporating ideas from many different sources. Its gameplay, story, overall feel, and humor are inspired by games and TV shows from the past 40 years. We’ve been heavily influenced by games like Mario (64, Odyssey, Sunshine, and Galaxy) and Zelda (Breath of the Wild, Wind Waker, and Ocarina of Time). We also frequently discuss Sonic Adventure, Spelunky, Kingdom Hearts, Psychonauts, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Spongebob, and Steven Universe.

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2025-12-10 22:06