Pixel, a game development company based in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, released “Hoggy Hoo,” a side-scrolling shooter for the Nintendo Switch, on October 22.
A story born from an encounter with a dog named “Huga”
This title was originally released for PC and iOS in 2018 and was later adapted for the Nintendo Switch in 2021 as *Hoggy Hoo with Friends*.In 2026, marking Pixel’s 10th anniversary, it was re-released as *Hoggy Hoo*, a title that returns to its roots with significantly revised gameplay.
The inspiration for this game stems from the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant that occurred on March 11, 2011. As a result of these events, “Huga,” a dog from Iitate Village in Fukushima Prefecture, was forced to leave his hometown and be separated from his family. After spending time in a shelter, he came to live with Eishu Sasaki, the CEO of Pixel.It is said that the idea for a game modeled after Huga was born during the ongoing interactions with his family in Fukushima that followed.
The game’s protagonist, “Hue,” along with the other colorful residents, are modeled after real animals, and the name of the town where the story takes place, “Eterday,” is an anagram of “Iitate.”
The story centers on “Hue,” a pilot who escaped the ravages of war, and “Figaro.”Three key phrases serve as the story’s central themes: “Why must we take a life just because our values differ?” “Even if we can’t understand one another, the value of life remains the same,” and “I didn’t become a pilot to take lives.” Events that cannot be reduced to simple terms of good and evil, along with the preciousness of life, are depicted in a nostalgic pixel-art world.
A Return to Its Roots with New Systems and Revamped Sound
This Nintendo Switch version of *Hoggy Hugh* has undergone extensive refinements aimed at delivering a new shooting experience while retaining the game’s classic charm.
On the gameplay front, the game features a new “Burst Shot” system that temporarily boosts attack power, along with elements that enhance the fun of score attacks, such as Balloon Chains, Time Bonuses, and Secret Bonuses.Furthermore, the difficulty and player ship performance have been rebalanced to ensure a wide range of players—from beginners to hardcore players seeking to maximize their scores—can enjoy the game, and recovery options after mistakes have been enhanced. The game also supports two-player simultaneous play, allowing families and friends to enjoy the adventures of Hugh and Figaro together.
Visually, the background details have been enhanced, and the algorithms for enemies and bosses have been revised. The soundtrack has been completely revamped, with music composed by Saki Hayashi and sound direction by TECHNOuchi. The new key visual and character designs were created by KOU, continuing his work from previous titles in the series.
Upon the game’s release, Eishu Sasaki, CEO of Pixel, commented: “I hope this game will serve as an opportunity for players to learn, even if only a little, about animals in circumstances similar to Huga’s and the events behind their stories. I also hope that the animals who served as models for the characters in this game will stand as a testament to the fact that they once lived in this world alongside us.”
“Hoggy Hoo” is now available for the Nintendo Switch. The standard edition is priced at 3,850 yen (tax included), the limited special edition at 6,050 yen (tax included), and the digital download version at 2,200 yen (tax included).
