Grab Dad’s old camera, find Bingo and get ready to say cheese!
There are always plenty of games to play and things to discover when Bluey and Bingo are around. This fall, families will be able to explore a little more of their world for themselves as Gameloft has officially set an October 15 release date for “Bluey’s Happy Snaps,” with preorders now open.
Developed by Gameloft Brisbane in Bluey’s own hometown and in close collaboration with Ludo Studio and BBC Studios, the new game turns a simple childhood activity—taking pictures—into an open-ended adventure. Bluey and Bingo get their hands on Dad’s old camera and set out to explore, play and capture all those little moments along the way, with players collecting their favorite photos inside a personalized scrapbook.
Of course, this is “Bluey,” so taking pictures is really only the beginning.
Up to two players can explore locations around Brisbane together, including New Farm Park from “Spy Game,” South Bank from “Ice Cream” and Mount Coot-tha from “The Sign.” Along the way are familiar faces including Muffin, Coco, Winton and Lucky, Australian wildlife, recognizable toys and plenty of little details pulled from the world of the series.
Players can even jump into games inspired by the show, including Shadowlands and Magic Cauldron, bringing some of the Heelers’ familiar imaginative play into the interactive world.
Yet perhaps the most interesting part of “Bluey’s Happy Snaps” is what Gameloft hopes happens after families stop playing it.
Much like the series itself, the game has been designed around open-ended play and giving children room to make their own choices. A research review led by Professor Daniel Johnson of Queensland University of Technology and the Digital Child found the game strongly supports autonomy, competence and creativity, describing “Bluey’s Happy Snaps” as an example of developmentally enriching digital play.
In other words, the goal isn’t necessarily for the play to end when the screen turns off.
Gameloft Brisbane Studio Manager Manea Castet noted that many members of the development team are parents themselves and wanted to create something they would be comfortable playing with their own children. Whether kids spend the game chasing bin chickens or playing taxi with things they find around the house, the hope is that some of those ideas make the jump into their own real-world play afterward.
That feels particularly at home with “Bluey.” So much of the series has always revolved around transforming ordinary spaces and objects through imagination. A backyard, park, toy or seemingly random household object can become the beginning of an entire adventure if Bluey and Bingo decide it is.
Even the physical editions are getting in on the idea. The standard retail release includes six physical activity cards designed to keep kids playing after the game is turned off, while the limited-time Deluxe Edition adds a sticker sheet. A special Activity Book Edition goes even further with a 44-page book filled with drawing activities and additional stickers.
For those more interested in causing some digital chaos, however, there is another important detail.
The Grannies are back.
The Deluxe Edition includes the “Here Come the Grannies” bonus content, putting Janet and Rita back on wheels alongside additional dress-up items for Bluey and Bingo and a digital album featuring artwork from the making of the game. For a limited time, digital preorders will receive the Deluxe Edition content for the $39.99 price of the standard release rather than its regular $54.99 price. Steam players will receive the same offer when the game launches.
“Bluey’s Happy Snaps” will launch globally October 15 on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC and the Epic Games Store, with Steam also supported. The game will additionally be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one and supports Xbox Play Anywhere.
Physical editions will also be available through retailers around the world, with the standard and limited-time Deluxe editions priced at $39.99 in the U.S. The Activity Book Edition will retail for $49.99. Japan will receive the digital game October 15, followed by physical editions November 26.
For a series that has spent years reminding families just how much fun can come from simply playing together, “Bluey’s Happy Snaps” seems to understand that a Bluey video game doesn’t have to keep kids glued to the television. Sometimes the best thing a game can do is provide the spark for whatever adventure comes next.
So fill up that scrapbook, snap some pictures with Bluey and Bingo and maybe play a round of Shadowlands while you’re there.
Just keep an eye out for Janet and Rita.
Those Grannies have wheels now.