Bad Piggies

App review by Chris Morris, Common Sense Media
Bad Piggies Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 7+

Angry Birds pigs star in challenging, captivating puzzles.

iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire Free to try, Paid, Free Puzzle Games
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Parents say

age 8+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 8 reviews

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  • Bad Piggies App: Screenshot #1
  • Bad Piggies App: Screenshot #2
  • Bad Piggies App: Screenshot #3

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this app.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Bad Piggies is the latest game from the developer of the massively successful Angry Birds series. Instead of flinging creatures with slingshots, though, the game consists of inventing various crafts for the pigs to use to accomplish their goals (such as earning stars or collecting pieces of a map). It's an approach that requires a lot more thought than the earlier series and could frustrate younger players, who just want to play with the pigs. There's an in-app purchase option that may seem mandatory after you've been stuck on a level for a long while as well. Players can share high scores via the Game Center social network, but participation is optional.

Community Reviews

LizB 3
LizB 3 Adult
March 6, 2016
age 9+

It's Changed.

The game itself is great, and we have had it for a long time. The material that accompanies it has changed. Now they have videos that I am not sure how to get rid of without getting rid of the game. So instead of playing the cool, experimental game that was fine for all ages, my kids go straight for the cartoon videos. The videos used to be relatively innocuous, but the ones I saw today with my son involved subjects and jokes that I think are inappropriate for kids. One, for example, involves two birds being trapped in a cage by the pigs and given a lettuce to eat that will make them fall in "love" while trapped and produce an egg for the pigs to eat. The pigs leave the birds alone with sexy music on and pink lighting. The birds blush and are embarrassed, and try to get out of the trap. The thrashing around they hear convinces the pigs that an egg has been produced. In the end, the birds get out and trap the pigs in the cage with the same lettuce and embarrassment and sexy music, for the sake of revenge. I get that it's a joke -- but the message and the subject matter and the general approach disturbs me in a kids' game. The other video I watched was generally fine, but ended with a crude bathroom joke. Since I thought of this game as a fun puzzle challenge, the sex/roofie-lettuce jokes and bathroom humor startled me, and I think we will move on to some other games.
Sean Caintic
Sean Caintic Adult
August 9, 2013
age 8+

A real one game.

Sometimes, it can be bit boring if you finish all levels, but is best with graphics. More fun. and its more to consume money, like and the positive messages like laughing pigs, is not a violence.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much consumerism
See all 3 parent reviews

What’s It About?

Kids create carts and aircraft out of items -- including wheels, fans, boxes, springs, and balloons -- so the pigs can retrieve pieces of a shredded map by rolling, jumping, or flying to it. Players attempt to unlock star boxes along the way. There is often more than one way to solve the puzzles, but figuring out the best technique requires concentration and creative focus. The game also features a sandbox mode, which gives players access to all available parts so they can create whatever they want, largely without restrictions, to get stars.

Is It Any Good?

Let's answer the primary question first: Is Bad Piggies as good as Angry Birds? No. It's an entirely different sort of game, but it's one that ultimately isn't as welcoming to players, especially young ones. It's an app that demands attention to detail and focus (and that's often still not enough).

Is it a bad one, though? Not by any means. In fact, it's quite good -- with well thought-out puzzles and a terrifically fun premise. It may not be a game you can play for just a moment, but if you have time to sit and think, you'll find yourself captivated and determined to finish a level (or get all three stars). Or, perhaps, you'll simply enjoy experimenting in the game's unlockable sandbox mode. Either way, it's a game that is less about mindless fun and more about challenging you.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Have kids use LEGOs or similar building kits to make real-world machines to achieve goals.

  • Give kids a limited number of materials and let them create a vehicle on their own, with only their imagination guiding the way.

App Details

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