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While I found the recent indie games event was a delight to watch, my biggest takeaway was perhaps unexpected: I am declaring that 2026 will be the unrivaled era for frogs in video games.

No fewer than five of the highlighted projects—Frog Sqwad, Stretchmancer, Unshine Arcade, Awaysis, and Big Hops—in some way feature these leaping protagonists. Considering a band of frogs is called an army, it seems they are launching an invasion.

From Classic Icons to Modern Mania

Frogs are not at all new to the world of games. From the arcade classic Frogger to the coveted froggy chair in Animal Crossing, they have long held a niche presence. Yet, their popularity has noticeably increased in recent times.

A quick search for "frog game" on Steam reveals an overwhelming flood of results. Although, some of these are obscure titles, a great many are bona fide amphibian adventures.

A Data-Driven Dive

To quantify this trend, I undertook a thorough analysis into the recent history of amphibian-themed gaming on Steam. My methodology was based on clear indicators, counting games with frogs in the title or featured in screenshots.

The data paint a clear picture: a marked increase from less than 20 titles in 2020 to nearly 60 in 2025.

This significant surge prompts the question: why the sudden leap? The amphibian's elevated place in the public consciousness is also evident elsewhere, like the revival of Frog and Toad as Gen Z icons. But, the trend in gaming seems especially powerful.

Designing for a Sticky Tongue

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

• Weird Little Guys: They are perfectly suited to be designed as endearing characters that tend to be a fan favorite in any game.
• Innovative Systems: Their elastic legs and grappling abilities facilitate a host of innovative control schemes.

A number of the announced projects smartly employ these traits. Examples include the tongue-based traversal in Big Hops and the extra-long limb puzzles of Stretchmancer.

On the Cusp of a Croaking Renaissance

So, what does this mean for 2026? With five frog games already announced before the year has even begun—and the possibility for more—the trajectory is clear for it to be the biggest year yet.

Should these games perform well—and traditionally, games from this showcase often do—we may indeed be witnessing a full-blown amphibian entertainment revival.