Short Game: Hop!

The game “Hop!” is one specific game within a game suite called 3-2-1 Penguins! located on the Big Idea website (home to 3-2-1 Penguins!, Larryboy, and Veggie Tales). The game involves controlling a character named Kevin, who is from the 3-2-1 Penguins! series, and using the J, K, M, and N keys to direct him to hop around a group of cubes to turn them all the same color. It seems to be pulling largely from the classic arcade game Q*bert. There are obstacles of course—there are other characters hopping around that can land on you and cause you to lose a life. There are also things such as treasure chests to be opened and warp cubes to add some variety to the game.

The game is marketed towards children but it would seem the target audience is specifically older children because the game is not exactly easy. It is somewhat fast paced (the player must run from the other creatures pursuing it at all times) and sometimes long.

Hop! does not seem to be attempting to teach any specific lesson. It does not direct the player to any other resources about Biblical morality and within the game play there is no mention or reference to any moral value. It seems to be aimed at providing entertainment for children.

(note: For more information about the larger context of this game or its parent site “Big Idea,” etc. please see the wiki article on the 3-2-1 Penguins! game suite as a whole at Game Suite: 3-2-1 Penguins! It contains a wealth of more information dealing with this game)