Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen
| Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Halfbrick Studios |
| Publisher | Halfbrick Studios |
| Writer | Joe Brumm |
| Composer | Joff Bush |
| Series | Bluey |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platforms | |
| Release |
|
| Genre | Adventure |
| Mode | Single-player |
Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is a 2025 adventure video game developed by Halfbrick Studios. The fourth video game to be based on the television series Bluey, it features an original story written by series creator Joe Brumm. It was released on 11 December 2025 for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, 10 January 2026 for Android and 28 May 2026 for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. The game received generally positive reviews from critics, who noted it as an improvement over previous Bluey video games.
Gameplay
The plot centers on the Heeler family being transported into Bluey's drawings on an adventure to retrieve her gold pen, which she needs to complete her drawing.[2] Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is a Zelda-like adventure game made simpler for younger children.[3] Players play as Bluey as she and her family explore her drawings across nine levels, which include locations based on the show.[4] Bluey's sister, Bingo, is called Bingoose and will lay a silver egg when the player feeds her enough food.[3] Bandit plays the role of the antagonist, referred to as "King Goldie Horns".[5]
Development
Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen was developed by Australian developer Halfbrick Studios, and features an original story from series creator Joe Brumm.[2] Brumm collaborated with game developers Halfbrick Studios in order to make the game. CEO of Halfbrick Studios Shainiel Deo wanted to create a game that children and families would cherish as among their favourite games of all time. With Brumm having worked with Halfbrick in the past with projects like Dan the Man, the pre-existing friendship between him and Deo made it easy to create an authentic experience to Bluey while still ultimately making a good game.[6] Brumm described it as feeling like "the simple setup you'd get from a Commodore 64 platformer – we've got a problem, and we've got a villain, so let's go get it."[7] Creative inspiration was taken from one episode in particular, "Dragon", which established that the children have an age-appropriate artstyle, Bandit's artstyle is worse than that of the kids' due to dropping it from bullying, and Chili's drawings are neat since she was encouraged to pursue it into adulthood.[3]
Release
Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen was released for iOS, iPadOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows on both Steam and the Epic Games Store, and Xbox Series X/S.[1] The iOS and Android versions of the title feature a free demo, with a one-time payment to unlock the full game.[2]
Reception
The game received generally positive reviews from critics, who noted it as a noticeable improvement from previous Bluey videogames.[8][9] CGMagazine praised the lack of complexity, stating "It might not be deep, but it’s genuinely delightful".[5] In comparison to Bluey: The Videogame, GameSpot found that Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen was the superior video game.[3] GamingonPhone stated that "its simplicity and length may not appeal to hardcore gamers seeking deep mechanics, it succeeds brilliantly at its intended goal: creating a joyful, meaningful experience that celebrates creativity, family, and play."[10]
References
- ^ a b c Bluey’s Quest for The Gold Pen Console & PC Announcement Trailer. Halfbrick Studios. 19 February 2026.
- ^ a b c "Bluey's Quest For The Gold Pen Video Game Arrives December!". bluey.tv. BBC Studios. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d Watts, Steve (18 December 2025). "Bluey's Quest For The Gold Pen Review - Kindergarten Zelda". GameSpot. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ Romano, Sal (23 October 2025). "Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen announced for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, PS4, Switch, PC, Mac, iOS, and Android". Gematsu. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ^ a b Kenneth, Marcus (10 December 2025). "Bluey's Quest For The Gold Pen (iOS) Review". CGMagazine. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ "Halfbrick Studios team with BBC Studios to launch Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen video game". BBC. 23 October 2025. Archived from the original on 11 February 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ^ Gavin, Sheehan (5 December 2025). "Bluey Creator Interviewed For Bluey's Quest For The Gold Pen". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
- ^ Graves, Sabina (18 December 2025). "The New 'Bluey' Game Celebrates a Story Anyone Can Play With". Gizmodo.
Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is such a joy and an inner child healing experience. I'm so excited to continue playing, especially since it gives us a new, immersive Joe Brumm classic that envelops you even more than Bluey's short animated episodes do. Halfbrick's visual and audio design make it super enticing to jump back in, with super accessible methods of play.
- ^ Dominguez, Francisco (14 December 2025). "Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen: after some misfires we finally have the first good Bluey video game". The Guardian.
Some parents treated Budge Studios' 2023 mobile game Bluey: Let's Play! with caution [...] [l]ater that same year, Artax Games' Bluey: The Videogame was widely criticised on release [...] But Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is the first to live up to the standards that made Bluey one of the most-watched shows in the world.
- ^ Yusuf, Abdulsalam (18 December 2025). "Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen Review: A Heartfelt, Sketchbook Adventure". GamingonPhone. Retrieved 17 February 2025.