Skip to main content

We just can’t stop playing the Bongo Cat game

If you’re looking for entertainment, want to kill a little time, or hope to find a fun cat game you can share with your kids, then you need to check out the Bongo Cat game. This highly musical cat is ready to play any song that you create, so you can try to replicate your favorite tune or compose an original to change things up. While this cat has mastered a whole bunch of percussion instruments, he started out without any instruments at all. Bongo Cat’s journey began with a simple GIF. It’s only thanks to the power of social media and some highly creative individuals that he’s here to share his musicality with us today.

The beginnings of the Bongo Cat game

When Bongo Cat originated in September 2018, this cute cat was just a meme. Twitter user @StrayRogue created the GIF. The cartoon cat was pictured patting his paws on the table.

Recommended Videos

https://twitter.com/StrayRogue/status/992994454058381312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E992994454058381312%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vice.com%2Fen%2Farticle%2F438a89%2Fall-hail-bongo-cat-vgtrn

From there, the collaborative nature of social media and the internet worked its magic. Other Twitter users started adding elements to Bongo Cat, starting with @DitzyFlama, who gave the cat a set of bongos to play.

Bongo Cat has been pictured playing many different instruments, including the electric guitar, the xylophone, and the saxophone. Some creative Twitter users even depicted Bongo Cat playing famous songs, like Toto’s “Africa.”

Bongo Cat also went modern with his take on The Chainsmokers’ “Don’t Let Me Down,” complete with meow singing.

But the Bongo Cat magic doesn’t end there. There’s a whole YouTube channel dedicated to this musical kitty, complete with Bongo Cat remixes of Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy,” Tones and I’s “Dance Monkey,” Alan Walker’s “Faded,” the Avengers theme, and more. You can even buy official Bongo Cat merchandise including T-shirts and bags.

What Bongo Cat can teach us about the internet

Bongo Cat quickly became an internet phenomenon, but it can teach us a lot about the power of social media and how appealing a GIF — no matter how simple — can be. Bongo Cat may have started as a modest drawing, but it’s become so much more.

And that’s all thanks to people who found a cute cat GIF intriguing. It’s no secret that cat memes and GIFs have long ruled the internet, and Bongo Cat just takes things up a level. His evolution from a basic cat GIF to a musical cat to a highly recognizable cartoon is all due to people who hopped in and contributed their own creativity to his evolution. That collaboration is an important reminder of how a simple idea can connect people as it evolves into something much, much greater than its creator ever imagined.

The next step in that evolution? An online game.

How to play Bongo Cat

Now, Bongo Cat is here in all his glory, and he’s ready to make music thanks to the Bongo Cat game created by game and web developer Eric Huber. Making music with this cute kitty is super easy with your keyboard, and this game is surprisingly entertaining and addictive.

The multitalented Bongo Cat is ready to play the bongos, cymbal, cowbell, tambourine, piano, or marimba. He’ll also give out a cute meow that will turn your real cat’s head if you play it when she’s in the same room.

To start the music, you’ll use the key at the top of the page to pick your instrument by pressing the corresponding keys on your keyboard:

  • Bongos: A and D
  • Cymbal: C
  • Cowbell: F
  • Tambourine: B
  • Meow: Space bar
  • Piano: 1 through 0
  • Marimba: Q through P

The line of numbers from 1 through 0 plays a scale on the piano. You can play one note at a time to pick out your favorite tune or get ambitious and try playing chords. The line of keys from Q through P will also play a scale on the marimba.

If you’re quick with the keys, then Bongo Cat will be a one-cat band. Who knows, maybe you’ll come up with the next great Bongo Cat song while playing this game?

The Bongo Cat game may be simple, but it’s the result of the unity that social media can create between people. This cat started off as a no-frills GIF, and thanks to creative people contributing their own ideas, this little kitty has become something of an icon. From Bongo Cat memes to merchandise to the finished game, this cat has taken a long journey and brought a lot of people along for the ride. This fun cat-themed game is perfect for playing at your desk when you need to de-stress, sharing it with your cat-loving kids, and even for putting your creativity and musical side to use when you’re bored and looking to kill some time. So, go on, get inspired, and teach Bongo Cat some new tunes.

Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
Why cats can’t resist knocking things over and driving you crazy
We'll walk through how to keep your precious belongings safe from your kitty
Kitten sitting on the edge of an office desk

Cats are agile, acrobatic, and so incredibly aware of their surroundings; yet chances are you've also watched your destructive cat knock numerous items all over the floor. These furry scalawags seem to get a kick out of knocking items over, but when those items are breakable or cups full of water, this feline habit can become frustrating.

So why do cats knock things over, and what can you do about it? Scolding them only deters them for a moment, but this kind of chaos can't go on forever. Luckily, we're here to help. According to the Metropolitan Veterinary Center, there are three main reasons behind this destructive behavior — so identifying which one you're dealing with is the first step toward finding a solution.
Why do cats knock things over? It's instinctive

Read more
We love these gorgeous black cat breeds
These black cat breeds could be your purrrfect match
A black Norwegian Forest Cat with green eyes

The thought of black cats may conjure up images of witches and bad luck, but true kitty connoisseurs know this is nothing but superstition. In reality, jet-black cats are just as loving and loyal as any other feline, but they're also sure to bring tons of love (and even luck) to your life. But how can you know which breed of black cat is right for you?
Check out these 10 gorgeous black cat breeds and read up on what makes them each unique. This way, you can start browsing local shelters and rescues to find the purrrfect feline for you.

American Bobtail

Read more
Can cats eat cheese? What you need to know before snack time
Plus, what else you might give as a treat
A cat munches on a piece of cheese

Chances are, your cat has learned that all sorts of delightful foods come from the kitchen. He probably begs when you're cutting up a chicken or other tasty-smelling food, and he may have learned to recognize the smell of cheese. But just because your cat asks for a certain food doesn't necessarily mean you should feed it to him.

Can cats eat cheese? Understanding how cheese affects your cat's digestive system can help you decide whether you should give him this snack, and it might help you narrow down other food choices for your cat, too.
Is cheese bad for cats?

Read more