Occasionally, there is an old game that randomly skyrockets back into popularity, andPiglet’s Big Gameis one of the most recent of these sudden resurgences. Aiming to be a horror comedy game for children,Piglet’s Big Gamehas found a surprising new following, as the PS2 and GameCube versions of the title have become huge on the internet. The game caught the attention of many for its unexpected likeness toSilent Hill 2, causing the director ofPiglet’s Big Gameto even address the surprising popularity surge.
After the success of theSilent Hill 2remake, it’s probable thatPiglet’s Big Gamecould have been rediscovered based on people wanting a similar experience and stumbling upon the title. Although it isn’t directly inspired by the originalSilent Hill 2, the director ofPiglet’s Big Gamehas confirmed fellow survival horror franchiseResident Evilserved as a huge source of inspirationwhen it came to the gameplay.
Piglet’s Big Game Finds a New Lease on Life Over 20 Years Later
An Unexpected Gaming Trend For November
Director Pascal Stradella not only confirmed the game’sResident Evilinspiration, but he also shared outlines of the original intentions forPiglet’s Big Gameon X. Development documents for the game state, “The game is a horror comedy aimed at children. By ‘horror,’ the goal is not to frighten them but to make them feel uneasy, to give them just the right amount of chills so they don’t feel entirely at ease as they progress through the game.” This unique blend of children’s game and horror has fascinated many, as Piglet has been a character a lot of gamers have grown up with. Since Piglet is known to have a lot of fear and anxiety, giving a game based on him a horror slant offers a unique experience for kids. While some are likely revisiting the game for nostalgic purposes, there are also plenty of people who were completely unaware that such a game existed.
Pascal Stradella also shared a game design draft that namedLuigi’s Mansionas a main reference forPiglet’s Big Game.
The Price of Piglet’s Big Game Skyrockets
Due to the viral popularity of the obscure title,the price ofPiglet’s Big Gamesaw a huge uptick, with some eBay listings being as high as $300 USD. The surprise of seeing a family friendly character like Piglet searching through a large house that largely resembles the Spencer Mansion fromResident Evilis such a huge contrast that it has struck a chord with a completely new audience. Released back in 2003, the game premiered to mixed reviews, and up until now, it had been lost to time.
Gameplay and Story Features
Piglet’s Big Gameserved as a tie-in game toPiglet’s Big Moviethat was released in the same year.
Piglet’s Big Game Demonstrates the Power of Virality
Returning to Long-Forgotten Games
As footage has continued to spread since the beginning of November,Piglet’s Big Gamehas made a splash that many were likely never expecting. It’s unknown what caused such a surprising resurgence in attention for the game, butthe success ofSilent Hill 2’s remakeseems like a safe bet. Deemed by some on the internet as “Baby’s First Horror Game”,Piglet’s Big Gameis a fun reminder that there is definitely a market for more family-friendly horror.
Although the hype surroundingPiglet’s Big Gamelikely won’t last for a long time, it’s always fascinating to see which old games suddenly gain fresh attention. With so manysurvival horror games in the industry,Piglet’s Big Gameis an unorthodox, but welcome, addition.
