Know The Pop The Pig Game Rules And How To Feed The Pig To Win The Game?
Do your kids enjoy playing the Banana Blast Game?
The Pop the Pig Game is the obvious next purchase.
Goliath here has swapped a jumping monkey for a hamburger-gobbling pig.
Also, the format is pretty much the same.
- You have to roll the die.
- Feed burgers to the pig.
- Then, press the head of the pig.
- Next, wait for the pop.
Here, the main catch is that there are two versions of the game, and the winning conditions are different for these two editions.
Hi, in today’s blog, I have covered both versions, and I have referred to the Goliath retailer listings, pediatric research, and U.S. safety guidance.
Pop The Pig Game: A Quick Overview
In this game, you will roll the die on your turn.
Then, the die will show an icon of a burger in a specific color or the four-color face.
Flip the die to see the number written beneath it and feed the burgers into the pig’s mouth.
Next, press the head of the pig as many times as the number says.
Now, if the pig pops, you win the game.
However, in the older version, the player who popped the pig used to get eliminated.
What Is The Pop The Pig Game?
Goliath published the Pop the Pig Game in 2007, and this game for children needs two to six players.
The typical playtime for each round is around 15 minutes.
Also, as I checked the retail copy of Goliath, they call the game an international preschool classic.
Pop The Pig Game: Quick Facts
| Detail | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Players/Age Group | 2 to 6 PlayersFor Children Above 4 Years |
| Play Time | About 15 Minutes |
| Publisher/Year | Goliath published it in 2007Redesigned Around 2013 to 2014 |
| Luck Vs. Strategy | High LuckLight Strategy |
| Price | $14.99 at Target |
How To Set Up The Pop The Pig Game?
Setting up the Pop the Pig Game is very easy, and it takes less than one minute.
However, the reset step for the game depends on the version you are playing.
That is where the game becomes a little confusing.
Step-By-Step Setup
- Open the hatch on the pig’s back and remove all the burgers.
- Place the burgers on the table with their numbers face down.
- Reset the pig.
- Older Pigs: turn the tail to the left.
- Newer Pigs: Press the head once to deflate the belly, press both hands down until they lock, then lock the belt.
- The youngest player goes first.
How To Play The Pop The Pig Game: Feeding The Pig Step By Step
Every turn follows a three-stage process.
Also, as you complete your turn, the play passes to the player on your right.
Step 1: Roll The Die
When you roll the die, it will show you a burger in a specific color.
You will have to choose a burger of that specific color.
However, if you get the four-color symbol, you can choose a burger of any color.
Also, if you get the “X” symbol, you will have to skip the rest of your turn.
Step 2: Flip The Burger
Every burger has a number side down.
So, you cannot pick any burger based on the number.
You have to flip the burger to read the number, which will be between 1 and 4.
Also, the number you get is the number of times you need to press the head of the pig.
Step 3: Feed The Pig And Press The Head
Now, you have to push the burger into the pig’s mouth until it drops inside.
Then, you have to press the head of the pig until it clicks.
Once again, the number of clicks will be the same as the number on the burger.
How The Pop The Pig Game Ends: Who Wins?
Eventually, the arms of the pig will rise, and the belt pops open.
Then, the result depends on the version you are playing.
Newer Versions: The Popper Wins
The game ends immediately, and the player who made the pig pop wins.
Older Versions: Last Player Standing Wins
In versions before 2014, the last player to press the head is eliminated. Reset the pig and play another round until one player remains.
Why Online Rules Contradict Each Other
Goliath’s own copy is inconsistent.
A retail listing says the player who bursts the belly wins, while the 2016 app’s store description says that player loses.
Follow the insert in your box.
With young children, agree on the rule before the first press.
What You Can And Cannot Control
When you roll the die, you will pick the color, and the face-down burgers hide their numbers.
So, even if you get a four-color roll, you are not getting a blind choice.
Also, there is a trick in the game.
The published rules never mention how many presses will cause a pop.
So, no one can claim or decide a specific number.
Pop The Pig Vs. Banana Blast: Which Suspense Game Fits Your Family?
| Feature | Pop the Pig | Banana Blast |
|---|---|---|
| Players | 2–6 | 2–5 |
| Trigger | Pig pops from built-up pressure | Monkey jumps when the wrong banana is pulled |
| Winning | Popper wins (newer), or last player left (older) | Most bananas winsCatching the monkey earns a bonus |
| Skill | Almost none.Pure suspense. | ReflexesEveryone tries to catch the monkey |
| Pieces | Pig, 16 burgers, die | Monkey, tree, 12 bananas, die, stickers. |
Pop The Pig Game Safety And Troubleshooting
Two issues come up most.
The players have to be careful about the small burgers and the belly getting stuck.
What If The Belly Will Not Deflate?
Some users reported a pig whose belly would not go down.
Here, you can avoid this problem by confirming the reset steps for the version you are playing.
Also, if you are playing with the newer pig models, the reset steps will be locked hands.
However, if you are playing with older pig models, the reset step will be turning the tail.
Age Labels For The Pop The Pig Game And Small Parts
The Banana Blast Game of Goliath has an official warning for choking hazard for children under 3 years.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants games containing small parts for older children.
The burgers of the pigs are small, loose pieces.
So, check your box’s age label and keep them away from toddlers.
Pop The Pig Game Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the frequently asked questions and answers about Pop the Pig Game.
How Many People Can Play The Pop The Pig Game?
Two to six players can play the Pop the Pig Game.
Also, this game from Goliath is suitable for children above 4 years of age.
Is There A Pop The Pig App?
Yes, Goliath has a free 2016 iPad game called Pop the Pig: Catch the Burgers.
It is not a digital copy of the board game, and it is a skill-based game.
Final Verdict: Is The Pop The Pig Game Worth Buying?
Yes, the Pop the Pig Game is for preschoolers.
It is quick, and it is a battery-free game.
Also, young kids can learn to count, recognize colors, and develop patience.
Expect pure luck, no strategy.
Check which version you own, settle the win rule first, and the suspense does the rest.
