Bobo Bay Brings Chao Garden Nostalgia With a Fresh Twist

There is a new indie title winning over fans who miss the Chao Garden from the Sonic Adventure games. Bobo Bay, developed by Austin’s solo studio NewFutureKids, is a cozy creature-collector that reimagines the spirit of raising, customizing, and competing with your own virtual companions. A free playable demo is already available, with the full release planned for Q2 2026.

In Bobo Bay, players raise creatures called Bobos, evolving them from saplings to full-grown Sprouts. Thousands of combinations of body shapes, patterns, traits, and accessories can be unlocked, making each Bobo unique. Structured competitions like races, daily Trials, and multi-event Sagas offer progression while unlocking new species, maps, and areas in town.

The town itself is a central part of the experience, featuring shops, a camp, a doctor, and a shelter, as well as time-based surprises like events that only happen at night. The game also includes small touches such as a mobile-style interface, themed mini-events, and even an unlockable Phantom Bobo species.

Bobo Bay’s creator began work in August 2022, inspired by the joy of the Chao Garden but eager to build something new. “I felt the need for a true Chao Garden experience was being talked about a lot online. I wanted to turn it into a full game that had every core element of the Chao Garden and what made it special. I started on it three years ago and it is releasing next year,” Austin explained in our interview.

While Austin is the main developer, he occasionally contracts out music and some 2D art for icons and cover work. This is not his first game, but it is the first to be taken this far. “I just feel confident in it. I had two other games that I dropped early on because I was not happy with how I made them or did not feel they had marketability. This one checks off everything. It is fun to make, I would want to play it myself, and I think other people want to play it too.”

Although the Sonic Adventure series is the biggest influence, Bobo Bay draws inspiration from other games as well. “The calendar system comes from games like Stardew Valley. Brawl mode was inspired by Tekken. The traits system was inspired by Rimworld. That is probably the main stuff.”

The game began with no budget, but Austin now uses Patreon to help fund development, especially for adding new accessories. Player feedback is already shaping the project through surveys and Patreon-exclusive builds. “The demo is a little bit of an old build, but the most updated versions are on Patreon and I get feedback there too.” Post-launch support is already planned, with Austin eager to add more content if players stay engaged.

Bobo Bay has already gained momentum in cozy gaming communities, with fans praising its customization, competition, and heartfelt nostalgia. For many, it offers the chance to revisit the kind of creature-raising loop that made the Chao Garden so memorable, but in a fresh setting designed for today’s players.

Those interested can try the demo now and follow the developer on X at _austo and NewFutureKids for updates.

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