Baby Monkey (Going Backwards On A Pig) is a super long name for a runner game. “Runner Games” are games that have no end, and the character you play “runs” down a path until the end of the time.
This little gem on an app was inspired by a YouTube Video of a song by the same name. The song was so catchy that the creators built this game to go with it! It’s a super easy game of reflexivity, unicorns, and silliness.
Our review will explain everything a parent would want to know about Baby Monkey (Going Backwards On A Pig).
For a parent, the most critical facts include its educational value, addictiveness, if the music is annoying, and if there is a chance your children can spend money on the app.
Is Baby Monkey (Going Backwards On A Pig) Educational?
This game isn’t designed to be educational. Baby Monkey (Going Backwards On A Pig) doesn’t teach the players about nature, nor do the players have to answer any questions before advancing through the game.
Baby Monkey (Going Backwards On A Pig) is purely an entertainment game. However, just because something wasn’t created to teach doesn’t mean your kids won’t develop skills!
What Skills Can You Develop Playing Baby Monkey (Going Backwards On A Pig)?
This game is about multitasking and planning ahead. In the game, you have to control the pig running at the speed you choose, and you also have to control the monkey, which jumps in the air catching bananas and other items. When the monkey lands, they have to land back on the pig; otherwise, the game is over.
The more items you catch, the higher your score will be.
This means that the players need to control both elements of the game to stay on the leaderboards. Imagine Temple Run mixed with Flappy Bird mixed with Mario.
Because the players need to concentrate on both things, they will learn the value of teamwork, the importance of a shared task, and cooperation to succeed.
One of the biggest things the players learn is how to think ahead. A small jump might be enough to catch the lower hanging banana, and it will give the monkey energy to reach the higher banana further down the line, whereas constant high jumps will waste the monkey’s energy.
Is Baby Monkey (Going Backwards On A Pig) Addictive?
Without a doubt, the game is addictive. Every time you lose, you know what you did wrong and how you should have tackled the obstacles, so the urge to get past that giant T-Rex becomes strong.
The game can reload almost as soon as it ends, so for some people, the one-two click becomes instinctive.
To stop yourself or your children from playing the game for too long, we recommend setting an alarm for how many minutes or hours is acceptable.
Speaking from experience, the alarm always goes off much faster than you anticipate, but that's the nature of an entertaining (and addictive) game!
We should also mention that there are no time limits in place while playing the game, which means that you can stop at any time, and you do not need to get back to complete a level. The game will wait for you.
What Age Group Is Baby Monkey (Going Backwards On A Pig) Appropriate For?
Officially the game is available for players aged 6 and older. There is no violence in the game, no gore or sex, no foul language, and the colors are bright and cartoon-like.
From the imagery alone, the game is safe for anyone to play. The reason for the 6 years starting age is because the controls can be a little confusing, to begin with.
Imagine tapping your head and rubbing your belly. Getting the motions right can take some time. A 6-year-old should be able to pick up on the mechanics without a guardian’s assistance.
However, the addictive quality tells us that the game shouldn’t be available for anyone under 12. You know your own kids and therefore know if they cannot monitor their own play, but most children find it hard to stop a positively reinforced action.
Is Baby Monkey (Going Backwards On A Pig) Good?
The game is great with enough simplicity to be played on the bus and a sprinkle of combination moves that make you feel like an expert when playing.
Usually, endless runner games consist of one character for one player, but this two-character combination means that there are a couple of tricky elements to the game. These elements make the game more complex, which is perfect for seasoned players.
Just like Temple Run, you have to get away from obstacles to continue moving.
Just like Flappy Bird, you need to jump high enough and in the right direction to avoid hitting anything on your way down.
And just like Mario, there are power-up items along the path which can enhance your game.
The difference is that you have to control two characters accurately to get these regular items and power-up items. When you learn a new power move, you feel like a champion!
The higher up the game you go, the more Monkey Bucks you can earn. The more Monkey Bucks you have, the more items you can buy in the game’s shop. For example, if you buy the Halloween Costume, you will have access to the Halloween-themed games. If you buy wings, you are given a second life to “fly” back to the pig, and so on and so forth.
Is The Music Annoying?
Once the theme tune is stuck in your head, you won't be able to get it out for weeks. It’s a catchy song that isn’t littered with childish talk or high pitch nonsense.
This makes it easier to listen to than most child-friendly games. However, you can always turn the volume off, as the noise doesn’t massively affect the game.
When you collect an item, a possessive tune does play, but this music isn’t needed to warn you of any obstacles or dangers so that players can play the same without the background music on.
Are The Graphics Good?
The game is in 2D and is rather well detailed for a game based on a youtube video. When you lose, you see the pig and monkey dazed and confused, which adds an element of comic relief to an unsetting ending.
The design itself is close to Fruit Ninja and Sheep Launcher, and it gives you a sense of calm and control.
If you spend Monkey Bucks and buy accessories for the animals, you’ll not feel like the add-ons are out of place. Everything in the game is very succinct and beautifully crafted.
Where Can You Download The App?
Baby Monkey (Going Backwards On A Pig) is only available on iOS, which means you can download it to your iPhone, your iPad, or your Mac device.
You cannot yet download Baby Monkey (Going Backwards On A Pig) to an android phone.
The app isn’t free but is never priced at more than $1, so you won’t be losing out on a lot of money to test this game out.
Is There Any In-Game Buying?
If you weren’t earning Monkey Bucks fast enough, you could buy more in their store. This means that your children could try and purchase Monkey Bucks to get wings or the Halloween content we talked about before.
If your children aren’t aware of the real-life financial implication of buying Monkey Bucks, then you may need to talk to them about avoiding the shopping center part of the game. Currently, there is no child lock available to stop kids from buying the Monkey Bucks by accident.
Final Verdict
Baby Monkey (Going Backwards On A Pig) is a lot of fun, and it is a great app for children because of the low violence, non-gore, and non-sexual content. The animals are very child-friendly with just a dash of drama.
However, the game is super addictive, so we recommend giving the app to older kids or putting a timer on the game to stop your children from losing hours to it.
The music is fun and catchy but can become repetitive after a while, so you may want to turn the volume down or off.
There is in-game buying, so beware of your children spending your money by accident.
And lastly, the game can teach your kids about cooperation, multi-tasking, and thinking ahead!
