Bad Piggies Now Available! Everything You Need to Get Started

Sound the alarm! Bad Piggies is now available for iOS, Android, Mac, and PC! Take a deep breath because there is a lot, and we mean A LOT, of information to outline (consider this our exhaustive guide to this amazing game). If you’re eyes have already glazed over, or you had too much bacon for breakfast (shame on you!), then watch the “First Look” video above. It contains a lot of great info as well as a bunch of the actual gameplay. Okay, without further ado, let’s get started.

First, some helpful links:

Availability:

Like Angry Birds Space, Bad Piggies is launching simultaneously on multiple platforms. This is something quite unique in the world of mobile games. A bunch of additional platforms will be available soon as well, though we don’t know the exact dates as of yet.

  • iPhone/iPod Touch: Bad Piggies (SD) costs $0.99 USD in the Apple AppStore. It is not clear whether there will ever be a “Free” version of the app (whether in limited content and/or ad-supported), but for now we assume no. The app requires at least iOS 4.0 to run, and only works on iPhone 3GS and higher, or iPod Touch 3rd generation and higher.
    * A special note here for iPhone 5 owners. iPhone 5, as you know, has a taller screen than iPhone 3GS/4/4S. Precisely, it is 176 pixels taller. The app will, for now, run in “letter-box mode”, with 88 pixels of grey-space on either extreme. Rovio has said that, in the future, they plan to adjust their apps to detect which resolution is needed and display as-such.
  • iPad: Bad Piggies HD costs $2.99 USD in the AppStore. Same deal about “Free” as above. The app requires at least iOS 4.0 to run, and works on all generations of iPad. Perhaps most notably, it has retina support for “iPad 3”.
  • Google Play: Bad Piggies comes in a free (ad-supported) version for both mobile and tablet. The minimum system requirements seems to be Android OS 2.2 and up, but there may also be device-specific limitations as well.
  • Amazon App Store: Bad Piggies is available ad-free for $0.99 on mobile and for $2.99 for Kindle.
  • Mac: Bad Piggies on your lovely Mac costs $4.99 and requires OS X 10.6.6 or higher.
  • PC: Bad Piggies costs $4.95 on your PC. Head over to shop.angrybirds.com to purchase.
  • NOOK Color: Bad Piggies is now available for NOOK! It costs $2.99 from Barnes & Noble.

Episodes, Levels, Bonus Content

Rovio is very good about packing their games full of content, and Bad Piggies is no exception. Your purchase includes 95 unique levels broken out over two full episodes and one playground-esque episode, fittingly named, “Sandbox”.

  • Two Traditional Episodes: Ground Hog Day (GHD) and When Pigs Fly (WPF). You can actually start on either one of these episodes, though Ground Hog Day is the logical beginning as it incrementally introduces you to new items.
  • 72 Levels in the “Traditional” Episodes: Ground Hog Day and When Pigs Fly each contain 36 normal levels, listed in 9 rows of 4 (we mention the rows because they are tied to unlocking the bonus levels). These levels are numbered via “Arabic numerals” (1, 2, 3, …). The ultimate goal is to complete each level with 3 stars. The first star is always tied to getting your freckled pig across the checkered finish line. The other two stars are obtained by completing certain objectives, which can vary. I’ll explain more later.
  • 18 “Bonus” Levels: GHD and WPF each contain 9 “Bonus” levels, one corresponding to each row of levels. These levels are numbered via “Roman numerals” (I, II, III, …). They are unlocked by obtaining a certain number of stars in the respective row. For example, Level 1-I corresponds to Levels 1-1 thru 1-4, Level 1-II to 1-5 thru 1-8, etc. The threshold for unlocking these levels increases with the numerical value. Starring these levels works the same as the normal levels.
  • Sandbox Episode: The “third” episode, which is considered non-sequential, is a bit different. This episode currently contains five levels. We are not yet 100% clear as to when each Sandbox level is unlocked, but some are unlocked when you earn a certain number of stars, while other require you to find hidden skulls. These levels are played a bit differently, and will be explained in the gameplay section.
  • Skulls: There are 10 skulls hidden in each episode, for a total of 20. Obtaining skulls does not help you pass the level, but rather unlock bonus content. Some might think they are like the “Golden Eggs” in Angry Birds, but this is a little inaccurate, since they don’t individually unlock new levels. Instead, they are more like the Hidden Fruit in Angry Birds Rio, which cumulatively unlock new content. Specifically, they help unlock the fifth “Sandbox” level, as noted above.

Gameplay! (The Good Stuff)

Bad Piggies gameplay is amazing. Not only are there endless combinations of contraptions you can build, but you actually get to control many of them. It’s also super easy to restart and reconfigure your contraption, which is nice since you do it a lot. The only downside that I can see is that without a scoring mechanism the replay-ability is somewhat diminished.

  • First Star: The bare minimum to pass a level is to get our friendly freckled pig to cross the checkered finish line via some crazy contraption (or not in contraption at all!). The levels get challenging pretty quickly, but it’s a fun learning curve.
  • Second & Third Stars: These stars are obtained by performing certain tasks on the way to obtaining the “First Star”. These tasks vary by level, but some common ones include:
    • Obtain one (or two) of the blue-star-boxes
    • Avoid “Krak-snapping” your cart — that is, avoid any significant damage
    • Not using a certain part — noted by a crossed-through circle
    • Beat the clock, with the time noted under the clock
    • Save King Pig by keeping him in the cart all the way to the finish line

    You don’t have to obtain all the stars in one go! In other words, you can use multiple attempts, contraptions, and methods to obtain the additional stars. In fact, most levels are impossible to 3-star in a single run.

  • Sandbox Stars: 20 stars each! As we said above, these are obtained a little differently. The 20 star boxes are scattered around the level (one box = one star). You can use as many runs and as many different vehicles as you’d like in an attempt to obtain all 20. Note that when you obtain a box, it is gone for good. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not since the level inherently lacks replay-ability. (Perhaps change obtained boxes to red for distinction?)
  • Building: You must build your vehicle within the darkened squares. The pig does not need to go inside of the vehicle, though this is the typical method. It’s also important to note that the game remembers your last-built vehicle, which helps speed things up and aids for reconstruction. Lastly, to save some time, you can shift your entire vehicle using the arrow keys at the top of the screen (the arrows only appear if you have a blank row or column to shift into).
  • Mechanic Pig! If you can’t figure out how to construct your vehicle why not call a Mechanic? He will quickly construct an appropriate vehicle for you (Secret, save money, use our walkthroughs instead). You can grab 3 Mechanics for free by “Liking” Bad Piggies on Facebook and earn a few others via gameplay. Additional Mechanics are available via an in-app purchase. The cost is 10 Mechanics for $1.99 USD, 35 for $5.99, or 65 for $9.99.
  • Achievements! Currently 33 on iOS. Sorry Mac users, but still no Game Center integration from Rovio. That said, if you’re curious check out the Bad Piggies Achievements page here on ABN.
  • Controlling Your Contraption: Certain parts, such as soda bottles, fans, and motors can be activated and/or turned on and off. The easiest method is to use the blue buttons that show up on-screen, which groups like-items together. Like-items are identical items facing in identical directions. On the other hand, you can manually activate each item by tapping the actual item on-screen in lieu of the button. Many times this is the preferred method as it gives you more granular control over each item.
  • Lightbulb Icon: Tap the lightbulb icon to bring up a handy sketchbook that contains helpful illustrations on how to use different parts, control your vehicle, etc. Swipe left or right or use the green arrows to navigate between pages of your notebook.
  • Magnifying Glass Icon: When tapped this icon will pause the game and bring up the starring requirements (top). You can also navigate around the level and zoom in and out. Note, when in build-mode, a two finger pinch also brings up this screen.
  • Most all the other menu items will be feel very familiar to everyone.

Well, there you have it. Told you there was a lot to cover. As always, if you have questions, find bugs, secrets, or the like, feel free to leave them in the comments below. We hope you enjoy Bad Piggies as much as we have.

Tags: , , ,
Category: Bad Piggies News & Updates, News, Updates

Comments (333)

Rank: Sling God with 35350 points
By Joey (@joeyba)

the face of the pig after getting 3 stars is PRICELESS!!!! :)

By Ethan

krak

By vp

is “mechanic pig” available for the PC version? ‘liked’ the FB page, but have got no free mechanic…what gives?

Rank: Master Slinger with 6960 points
By iamMighty (@iammighty)

No, the mechanic pig isn’t available for PC.

Rank: Well Traveled with 1760 points
By martythebrit (@martythebrit)

Why is there no paid HD version yet for Android? I don’t want to play the free version then loose all my play when I pay for it.

Come on Rovio, what’s up?

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

You would have to ask them directly.

By Adrienne M Alexander

It has been removed I wanted it

Rank: Master Slinger with 6760 points
By username12345 (@blahalb09)

{link removed}

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

That’s still free, blahalb

Rank: Flinger with 30 points
By JOLTaholic1 (@joltaholic1)

I just found out the opening screen on the PC version is interactive. Click on one of the parts (moving motor, TNT, etc.) and see what happens.

Rank: Sling God with 26055 points
By sal9 (@sal9)

Yes, they are interactive on mac and ipad as well. A similar feature is available for AB Space as well.

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

To a much lesser degree, it’s true in ABo as well (clicking/tapping the birds in the foreground will cause them to squawk).

Rank: Hardened with 710 points
By alienbird (@alienbird)

It also happens in ABS in 2.5.0 and 2.5.1.

Rank: Gold Flinger with 9830 points
By Chris (@chriss)

How can you break off 100000 parts?

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

Replay over and over again. I’m trying to make a dent it in by creating a massive contraption in S-4 and driving onto the TNT below.

Rank: Gold Flinger with 9830 points
By Chris (@chriss)

And which level has the most TNTs for the TNT achievement?

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

I got “Boom Boom II” doing the same thing. But I’m not sure right now if there’s a better option. I like the “think as little as possible” style. You can consistently get 5-7 TNT at a time on S-4 if you put two within the contraption and drive to the left.

For those achievements, I’m currently at:
• Junior Wrecker (1k < parts broken off < 10k)
• Boom Boom II (500 < TNT detonated < 5000)
• Popper’s Theory II (1k < balloons popped < 10k)
• Tourist II (10k < miles traveled in transport < 100k)
• Rolling Low III (1k < miles on ground)

Rank: Sling God with 35350 points
By Joey (@joeyba)

is there a section to discuss achievements i cant find or is it discussed here?

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

There will soon be an achievements page for Bad Piggies. It’s not as easy as just creating it though.

Rank: Sling God with 35350 points
By Joey (@joeyba)

any hint where to get Adventurer?

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

I have a bug list you may want to check out. I think it will help you a bit, joey. :)

Rank: Sling God with 35350 points
By Joey (@joeyba)

oh great> Thx!

Rank: Pig Leader with 10660 points
By nacho18 (@nacho18)

Is this achievement is going to be like Score Adict in ABO. If it is positive will take longer: I do have Boom Boom 11; too. But I do not start the second Episode my progress on achievements is 18/33.

Rank: Pig Leader with 10660 points
By nacho18 (@nacho18)

Sorry I said Boom Boom II.

Rank: Gold Flinger with 9830 points
By Chris (@chriss)

I have not even broken off 10000 parts.

Rank: Fling King with 4390 points
By SouperBrick (@souperbrick)

Guys? The link you gave us to the Bad piggies achievements will not work! It says that the page has left to Rio or something like that?

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

Fixed.

Rank: Sling God with 28590 points
By MVNLA2 (@mvnla2)

I’m confused — Is there a bad piggies achievement page? Link above just goes to AB achievements page??? I can wait, just don’t understand comments above.

More confusion — I thought I asked this already, but can’t figure where — How do you know how many skulls you already have?

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

Both valid questions.

1) Not yet, though hopefully within a day or so.
2) If you have under 10, I suppose the Sandbox level will say your count. Otherwise, the only way to know is to find one more. It’s not a good system, IMHO.

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

Update: Achievements page is live.

By DmitriyD

found a weird bug
every now and then my activation dies out and I need to reactivate my game with the key again! it looks strange, “When pigs fly” is locked but it displays how many stars are collected in the chapter O_0
Any suggestions?

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

See the Bad Piggies Bug Thread. There is a reported workaround but Rovio is aware of the thread.

Rank: Pig Leader with 10660 points
By nacho18 (@nacho18)

How I can get these 2 Achivements : Complex .Complex . Which levels helps to achieve this one. This one it is to do a contraption with 25 or more objects .
Crash Course . This one . It is for activate 6 rockets at the same time. It is only on one level or more than one.

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

@nacho18:
For Complex Complex, go to any Sandbox level. This allows you to use A LOT of items, and you should be able to get at least 25 in there somehow.
For Crash Course, this achievement is currently bugged, I believe.

Rank: Pig Leader with 10660 points
By nacho18 (@nacho18)

Thank you Slim . For your answer . Tomorrow I ‘ll try complex complex .

Rank: Sling God with 28590 points
By MVNLA2 (@mvnla2)

Seems to me the powered wheels only go to the right. Am I missing something? Is there a way to get them to go to the left?

Rank: Pig Leader with 10660 points
By nacho18 (@nacho18)

I am sorry but you do not describe well in which level that happens to you . Can you be more specific Please ..!!

Rank: Avian Overlord with 16460 points
By PJng (@pjng)

No a specific level, power wheel is always move to right, can’t seem let it move left.

Rank: Pig Leader with 10660 points
By nacho18 (@nacho18)

Okay I got the ” Complex Complex ” . Know in which level I can got ” the Hogffeur ” this one it is for transport the king pig safely for 50 times ….!!!!

Rank: Pig Leader with 10660 points
By nacho18 (@nacho18)

Forget it I did get it jus some minutes ago. Know for Question for balloons Poppers . Page #2 ; level 16 it good but how many times do we have to pay and Replay …!!! Any idea. Or just keep going…!!!

Rank: Well Traveled with 1930 points
By Gstah (@blinddwag)

@amslimfordy, is there any leaderboard for Bad piggies??

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

Why would there be? There are no scores.

Rank: Gold Flinger with 7525 points
By Evelyn (TeeVex) (@habink)

Road hogs Times?

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

Not needed, I don’t think. A complete overhaul of our Leaderboard for so few levels would be disproportionate.

By Alexander Shestakov

Bad Piggies seems to have a problems on Archos 70 tablet (Android 2.2.1).
It often ‘forgets’ all the passed levels and starts with clean state as if no level has been passed.

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

You would have to discuss this with Rovio. We aren’t aware of which Android devices are compatible with the app.

Rank: Well Traveled with 1520 points
By Little Brother Bird (@platypus1234)

@amslimfordy Rovio’s new book app is available for iPad now. It is bad piggies cooking book.

Rank: Well Traveled with 1520 points
By Little Brother Bird (@platypus1234)

Just search for bad piggies best egg recipes

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

Thanks, we know.

Rank: Debriefed with 1255 points
By lJose (@ljose)

Why I can download and install Bad Piggies (via Google Play) free but no HD? I can download the free version but no the HD version.

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

HD versions are only available for Tablets.

Rank: Boss Hog with 14280 points
By Josm (@josm)

rovio: ”After all the positive reviews, we’re still not taking it easy. A #BadPiggies update is DONE & will be out in less than a month from launch!”

Rank: Master Slinger with 7400 points
By Angryguy (@angryperson)

that might be the FIRST time they said when an update is coming

Rank: Boss Hog with 14280 points
By Josm (@josm)

we didnt know when exactly, maybe tomorrow, or next thursday :) :)

Rank: Sling God with 32120 points
By AMslimfordy (@amslimfordy)

Before 27th. I think next Th.

Rank: Boss Hog with 14280 points
By Josm (@josm)

Yes I think so, but a little hope for tomorrow, lol

Rank: Boss Hog with 14280 points
By Josm (@josm)

but you never no, they would never say ”tomorrow is an update”

By Taeif

When i open bad piggies hd on my android device the game screen is like mirrored……when i tilt my phone horizontal the app goes vertical(vice-versa) also on the right side tilted the screen is completely blue ….fix this :(

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