🐞 Bug Smash! – Mutant Squashing Mobile Game

Inspiration

Bug Smash! was inspired by fast-paced mobile arcade games that reward quick reflexes, satisfying feedback, and constant progression. We wanted to create something completely different from our usual 3D worlds, a pure UI-based experience focused on humor, chaos, and upgrading. The idea of squashing funny, mutant bugs with a single tap felt instantly fun and full of potential.

What it does

Bug Smash! is a mobile game where players tap to squash waves of mutant insects while earning coins and fragments to unlock upgrades. Each run offers new random perks, roguelike-style, so every match feels fresh and unpredictable.
Players can upgrade stats like squash radius, extra time, gold bonuses, and more as they progress. There’s also a full system of achievements, quests (daily, weekly, and fixed), and a daily reward that encourages continued play.
Players can even open card packs to collect a large, humorous set of bug-themed cards, expanding their library and adding long-term goals.

How we built it

We built Bug Smash! as a fully 2D UI-driven experience, using custom-made sprites, menus, and animations designed entirely in our UI pipeline. All bugs, upgrades, and cards were designed and illustrated to match a playful comic tone.
Core mechanics, randomization systems, and progression logic were implemented with lightweight mobile-friendly code to ensure smooth performance on a wide range of devices.

Challenges we ran into

Shifting from 3D world building to a full UI/mobile design was a major challenge. Creating satisfying tactile feedback, balancing dozens of upgrades, and developing a roguelike perk system required extensive iteration. Ensuring clarity and visual appeal while keeping the interface intuitive also pushed our design skills. Also the number of enemies and effects in every round was hard to optimize, but we made it :)

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re incredibly proud of how polished the UI feels, from menus and enemies to upgrades, quests, and the card collection. The mutant bug designs became a highlight, and the roguelike system adds surprising depth to a simple, addictive core loop.

What we learned

We learned how to design compelling gameplay without relying on 3D spaces, mastering UI transitions, mobile optimization, and dynamic progression systems. We also gained experience building collectible card systems and random perk mechanics.

What's next for Bug Smash!

Next, we plan to add new bug species, seasonal events, special card packs, and even boss insects. We're expanding the roguelike elements, adding more upgrades, and introducing competitive challenges to keep players returning for more smashing fun.

Built With

• canva
• genai
• horizon
• meta
• typescript