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.

Comments (333)

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

Noticed that there is a free mobile and HD version on Google play, with the full versions coming soon. Kind of sad to hear ill loose my progress when I buy add free, but hey! It won’t have ads!

Rank: Champion with 3420 points
By Dorito (@dorito)

Apparently, the free PC demo has only the first 24 levels, six bonus levels, and two Sandbox levels. Not sure about the skulls, though. :)

Rank: Hardened with 650 points
By Shucky (@stefan)

Slim, the first SandBox level is unlocked by just passing the 12th level… You don’t even need the blue levels… ;)

Rank: Hardened with 650 points
By Shucky (@stefan)

Also one for WPF and for collecting 10 skulls. There are also two more witch don’t say how to unlock them. Also, I’ve noted when you continue starring other levels you get more and more equipment… :)

By taz

when i click a link for shop angry birds for pc and i dont see an free pc demo so?

Rank: Champion with 3750 points
By Oobgular (@oobgular17)

I think there’s a bug on iOS associated with Game Center. It crashes every time I tap the achievements button. Does anyone else have this problem?

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

not with the achievement’s, but when i’m on a specific level, it will crash

Rank: Champion with 3750 points
By Oobgular (@oobgular17)

Actually, I’m having a lot of crashing issues on my iPod Touch 4g. Not quite as bad as ABSpace was when it was released, but it’s probably the same issue.

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

My SD game (iOS 6) also crashed about 8 times today. But never when I tapped the achievements button.

Rank: Champion with 3240 points
By kirby of the stars (@kirbyofthestars)

aw no fair, i downloaded the demo to my pc and it says: ”Bad piggies cannot be installed in the following windows sistems (or something like that): windows nt 4.0, windows 2000, windows xp 86, windows xp 86 service pack one, windows xp 86 service pack two.”

why rovio why?
first i cannot get trilogy and now this? aw gimme a break!

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

Clearly marked on Rovio’s website:

Minimum System Requirements:

OS Windows XP SP2
RAM 512MB
CPU 1 GHz
Graphic OpenGL 1.3 compatible
Internet Connection required for activation

Rank: Master Slinger with 6610 points
By Lamia (@lamia)

@@kirbyofthestars You really need to upgrade your PC if you don’t meet the minimum requirements.

Rank: Debriefed with 1280 points
By parmis (@parmisss)

:((((

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

Was Bad Piggies free and premium removed from the Amazon appstore?

Rank: Hardened with 555 points
By TailsTheFox (@tailsthefurious)

I’m sad because I don’t have money for the game on mac!! What can I do?

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

Increase your net worth by $5 USD :)

Rank: Master Slinger with 7205 points
By TruckDriver (@truckdriver)

Search around your sofa cushions for loose change? :-)

Rank: Fling King with 4530 points
By AustinRHL (@austinrhl)

After playing the first few levels, I’m pretty impressed. The physics are excellent, although I keep half-expecting the pigs to pop and the wooden boxes to break when they roll down hills! The lack of replayability is disappointing, but there’s still some room to experiment with different designs. And I have to wonder what suckers will buy the mechanics when it’s so easy to find walkthroughs online…

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

I’m not expecting you to have done them yet, but wondering if you plan to have videos for the skulls?

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

Yes. You can see those on YouTube for now.

Rank: Flinger with 45 points
By mojavewolf (@mojavewolf)

Any news about progress syncing? It’s needed more with every new game that rovio releases.

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

No, there’s no automated sync system.

Rank: Flinger with 45 points
By mojavewolf (@mojavewolf)

Update, I was playing bad piggies hd on my iPad and the achievements from my iPhone showed up in the bad piggies hd achievement list. I checked and the HD didn’t sync the level progress, yet…

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

It shouldn’t…

Rank: Master Slinger with 5690 points
By Peatree2 (@peatree2)

Can you only buy Mechanics through the levels by clicking the Mechanic button when you run out or is there another button where you can buy them from?

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

Hrm, I haven’t seen any other way actually. I don’t think there’s any button on the homescreen.

Rank: DaBomb with 260 points
By bluegie (@bluegie)

I got the pc version, and I dun really like the choosing screen resolution method. My resolution is 1366 x 768 and I wanna the window fits the screen as good as possible. But 1280 x 600 is the “best” in windowed mode (1280 x 720) leaves the bottom window hidden behind the taskbar. Why dun they just let us maximize the window just like the other AB games?

Also, I activated the game right after I installed it, and it was fine. But now I open the game and the activation key icon is there again. Rovio wants me to waste the code again in just a single day? (gotta email them again. This is not the first time I encounter reactivation problem).

Rank: Master Slinger with 5690 points
By Peatree2 (@peatree2)

Figured out how to transfer progress between iOS devices using iExplorer! Bad Piggies > Documents then copy “Progress.dat” and move it to the other device. :)

By paultran

How can I get this game for my PC? It said that this game is available for PC so how and where I get it.

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

The link is in the post.

Rank: Flinger with 0 points
By stink_boy11 (@)

Anyone notice that this was built on Unity3D?

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

Good notice! I thought it was still Box2D, (Rovio’s default physics generator for AB, ABS, ABR, ABSpace, and AA)

Rank: Master Slinger with 5690 points
By Peatree2 (@peatree2)

WOW! Love the new banner! Put your mouse over the Angry Birds Nest sign :D

Rank: Sling God with 70925 points
By wrw01 (@wrw01)

Thanks ABN folks for the great description and videos. Will be referencing this page when I start the game. The game looks great and will be downloading it later this evening. It appears to provide a different style of play when compared to the regular AB games which is fine because it just makes it fun.

By gouk 105

Is this app for the nook tablet?

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

Not at this time.

By gouk 105

Do you know when it will come out.

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

I don’t.

Rank: DaBomb with 310 points
By alfablac (@alfablac)

Anybody knows where the save is located in Android?

By key

Look at the second post on the first page.

Rank: DaBomb with 310 points
By alfablac (@alfablac)

But what file is the save?
It doesnt look to have a progress file or a highscore file like AB.

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

“Progress.dat” sounds like a fair bet…

Rank: Gold Flinger with 8570 points
By Kartflyer (@kartflyer)

Just got the game! Very interesting concepts! I have a feeling this game would have as much success as Angry Birds did ;)

Rank: Pig Leader with 12170 points
By sunshine (@sunshine)

@kartflyer this game looks like it’s right up your alley! Building karts, and making them fly!! Enjoy! :)

Rank: Shooter with 955 points
By Inaba Himeko (@epicotaku)

2 questions:
First, why is it already for PC and the Bad Piggies site still says “Download for PC (Coming soon)”?
Second, is there any free versions of Bad Piggies for PC?

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

1) The site hasn’t been updated for now. It will be later.
2) You get a demo version of Bad Piggies which let you play the first episode with the first 24 levels.

Rank: Shooter with 955 points
By Inaba Himeko (@epicotaku)

1) Oh OK
2) So, will I be able to create levels?

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

If you mean in the first 24 levels and other bonus levels you get, then yes.

Rank: Avian Overlord with 18470 points
By cosmo2503 (@cosmo2503)

You guys are amazing. I just log in and realize that you have already made walkthroughs for Bad Piggies.
I played last night and it isn’t that easy at all, while I can construct contraption to end task sucessfully it isn’t easy to obtain all three stars and end all tasks on a way for our sweet piggy.

Rank: DaBomb with 260 points
By bluegie (@bluegie)

Does anyone have the reactivation problem on PC as well? I’ve already activated the game twice, and the activation key icon still exists (even tho I can still play the game…).

By IrishHeart

Is there any word on when Bad Piggies will be released for the Nook Tablet? Was disappointed today when it wasn’t on there.

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

Given the months of preparation and announcements, it should not have been a surprise. NOOK was never mentioned.

Rank: Fling King with 4540 points
By Hidayat1999 (@hidayat1999)

Got it! Didn’t even thought that it’s HD for PC.

Rank: Shooter with 850 points
By b3523905 (@lavaro)

sometimes I wish I could pop a pig in the start screen… though, I’m having fun screw them up… :D

Rank: Master Slinger with 6610 points
By Lamia (@lamia)

@amslimfordy when i open it, everytime it makes me choose the resolution. Is it okay? I choose the res that my lcd monitor is highest at 1280×1024. I also chose different res but didnt see any difference

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

I haven’t played on PC. I don’t know.

By pig_popper

yep, its normal.

Rank: Out of this World with 2565 points
By Old Man Bird (@oldmanbird)

I am having trouble with one aspect of the game. When you put a motor or other accelerating item on the cart, how do you turn it the opposite direction in the same square. Level 1-9 is the first time it has kept me from three starring a level. I am sure it is simple, but sometimes us old folks are slow learners.

Rank: Out of this World with 2565 points
By Old Man Bird (@oldmanbird)

The item that I am having problems with is the gas pump and turning it to get the star to the left on 1-9. The reason I am posting here is because it will definitely be an issue on future levels. Is there a button or something I am missing to change the direction of the gas pump?

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

The gas pump?
Oh geez, Sal did call them gas pumps. I say they’re soda bottles.

Rank: Out of this World with 2565 points
By Old Man Bird (@oldmanbird)

That is what sal9 calls it in the walktrhrough description, but I am sure it will apply to other engines in other levels eventually?

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

I think they’re soda bottles. Anyways, the way they work is that the soda shakes, causes pressure, then eventually causes the cap to rupture. That’s why they need to point in the opposite direction of where you want to go.

Rank: Out of this World with 2565 points
By Old Man Bird (@oldmanbird)

I do understand that part of it, but I cannot get the bottle to turn the direction I need it to in order to get the star on the left. I can only get the bottles to point to the direction where they propel to the right. It is probably something simple like a button I am missing.

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

Oh oh oh. I understand. Simply tap the object to rotate it.

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

Yeah, sorry about that. I’m in the process of reviewing my descriptions. Those are indeed soda bottles.

By pig_popper

Tap/click again on the soda bottles (after placing it) to change the direction.

Rank: Out of this World with 2565 points
By Old Man Bird (@oldmanbird)

Thanks @amslimfordy and @pig_popper. I though it was something simple I was missing. I tried to move and re-place them, but never pressed it again to rotate. It is a very enjoyable game, but I have to agree with the replayability statements. It’s only some much fun crashing and building differently for a while. With no scores, I will be less likely to play the same levels very often.

Rank: Sling God with 36820 points
By Joey (@joeyba)

You have also to notice if the bottle is not placed next to a box it doesnt work: ie TNT should be in a box in order for the soda bottle attached to it can rotate

Rank: Out of this World with 2565 points
By Old Man Bird (@oldmanbird)

@joeyba So for instance, if you put the pig in a box next to a bottle, it might not turn certain ways?

Rank: Sling God with 36820 points
By Joey (@joeyba)

if it’s in a box, it should rotate all ways

Rank: Master Slinger with 5360 points
By Inactive (@chaostsar)

@amslimfordy — So how did you guys get the walkthroughs up so quickly? Did you get an advance copy or did you simply not sleep last night? Just curious.

Rank: Master Slinger with 5360 points
By Inactive (@chaostsar)

Nevermind, Fujitoast just answered the question in the video.

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