2026 Declared the Year of the Croaking Craze.

While I found the recent Day of the Devs showcase was a delight to watch, my main revelation was not the intended one: I am certain that 2026 will be the unrivaled era for frogs in video games.

No fewer than five of the showcased games—Frog Sqwad, Stretchmancer, Unshine Arcade, Awaysis, and Big Hops—incorporate these leaping protagonists. Given that a collection of frogs is termed an army, it appears they are taking over the industry.

From Classic Icons to Modern Mania

Amphibians have been anything but new to the world of games. Ever since the era of Frogger to the coveted froggy chair in Animal Crossing, they have long held a cult following. However, their visibility has noticeably increased in recent times.

A simple search for "frog game" on Steam reveals an absolute deluge of results. While, some of these are low-budget titles, a significant portion are serious amphibian adventures.

Tracking the Tadpole Trend

To quantify this phenomenon, I conducted a deep dive into the recent history of amphibian-themed gaming on Steam. My methodology was admittedly subjective, prioritizing games with frogs in the title or featured in screenshots.

The results tell a compelling story: a steady increase from under 20 titles in 2020 to nearly 60 in 2025.

This dramatic growth prompts the question: where is this interest coming from? The creature's elevated place in the public consciousness is somewhat evident elsewhere, such as the resurgence of Frog and Toad as nostalgic figures. Yet, the wave in gaming looks particularly pronounced.

The Allure of Amphibian Mechanics

Frankly, this is a trend I can fully endorse. Frogs possess natural creative potential for game developers.

• Weird Little Guys: They are perfectly suited to be designed as quirky characters that often become a standout feature in any game.
• Innovative Systems: Their elastic legs and sticky tongues enable a myriad of innovative control schemes.

Many of the showcased games clearly utilize these traits. Take the tongue-grappling in Big Hops and the elasticity-based puzzles of Stretchmancer.

On the Cusp of a Croaking Renaissance

So, what can we expect in 2026? With five frog games publicly revealed before the year has even begun—and the potential for more—the trajectory is clear for it to be the largest year so far.

When these games perform well—and traditionally, games from this showcase often do—we may indeed be on the verge of a full-blown amphibian entertainment revival.