This Adorable Desktop Cat Game Brightens My Mondays

Downloading Bongo Cat this morning, even though it’s just a demo, already has me smitten. Despite its demo status, the game comes across as fully realized. It’s a simple delight: this adorable cat sits on your desktop while you go about your daily typing and clicking, earning you points for every letter you type.

But there’s more to this than just cute aesthetics. Those charming tapping paws react to each keystroke, and every 30 minutes, you’re rewarded with a hat. I’ve already scored a tiny cowboy hat, a beer stein, a ball cap, a party hat, and a backdrop of cascading flowers. If I manage to collect 10 hats of the same tier, I can trade them for a spiffier hat.

Bongo Cat is the brainchild of Marcel Zurawka and is brought to us by Irox Games. While it’s in demo mode, it’s clear that the full release will pack even more features. The game already touts cat skins, although I haven’t stumbled upon any yet. The full version promises the ability to trade and sell cosmetics, which is essential for any engaging clicker game.

I’m eagerly awaiting the opportunity to customize my cat’s appearance down to its coat color, and it would be a treat to deck out the scene with props like a mini mechanical keyboard or a cup of coffee. Still, even without these add-ons, Bongo Cat is delightful, ensuring enjoyment whether or not you return to the full version upon its release.

For those interested, the Bongo Cat demo is currently available as part of Steam Next Fest. Look forward to its complete launch in March 2025 for Windows PC.