Why Big Hops’ Mario-style movement and Zelda-like world design fall just short of greatness

A frog on a tightrope in a video game.

Details

(Image credit: Luckshot Games)

Publisher Luckshot Games

Developer Luckshot Games

Release date 12 January 2026

Format PC, PS5, Switch (reviewed)

Platform Unity

If you've played Super Mario Odyssey, then you'll recall that your first of many transformations is a frog. So it is that 3D platformer Big Hops has you playing as anthropomorphised frog Hop. However, calling it a 3D platformer isn't quite accurate, as there are just as many action-adventure elements, and indie developer Luckshot Games draws as much influence from Nintendo's Zelda series as from Mario. But then neither of these ever had a playable character that gets around and interacts with things with their tongue.