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While I found the recent indie games event was undoubtedly entertaining, my main revelation was not the intended one: I am declaring that 2026 will be the unrivaled era for frogs in video games.

A surprising total of five of the showcased games—Frog Sqwad, Stretchmancer, Unshine Arcade, Awaysis, and Big Hops—prominently include these leaping protagonists. Given that a gathering of frogs is called an army, it appears they are launching an invasion.

The Enduring Appeal of Amphibians

Amphibians have been anything but new to the gaming landscape. Ever since the era of Frogger to the beloved froggy chair in Animal Crossing, they have consistently maintained a special place. However, their visibility has markedly increased in recent times.

A simple search for "frog game" on Steam unveils an staggering number of results. Granted, some of these are novelty titles, a great many are legitimate titles centered on frogs.

Tracking the Tadpole Trend

To understand this phenomenon, I conducted a deep dive into the recent history of amphibian-themed gaming on Steam. My criteria was somewhat arbitrary, prioritizing games with frogs in the title or prominently displayed in screenshots.

The results tell a compelling story: a steady rise from less than 20 titles in 2020 to almost 60 in 2025.

This dramatic growth prompts the question: what's driving this craze? The creature's elevated place in the broader culture is also visible elsewhere, such as the resurgence of Frog and Toad as nostalgic figures. But, the wave in gaming seems uniquely strong.

The Allure of Amphibian Mechanics

Frankly, this is a shift I can get behind. Frogs offer inherent creative potential for game developers.

• Weird Little Guys: They are ideally shaped to be designed as quirky characters that frequently end up as a fan favorite in any game.
• Dynamic Mechanics: Their stretchy limbs and grappling abilities lend themselves to a myriad of unique mechanics.

A number of the showcased games smartly employ these traits. Examples include the tongue-grappling in Big Hops and the extra-long limb puzzles of Stretchmancer.

What the Future Holds

So, what does this mean for 2026? With five frog games publicly revealed before the year has officially commenced—and the potential for more—the stage is set for it to be the biggest year for amphibian gaming.

When these games are received positively—and based on past trends, games from this showcase tend to succeed—we might just be on the verge of a full-blown croaking cultural moment.