BoxBoy!

{{short description|Video game series}} {{about|the video game series|the first game in the series|BoxBoy! (video game)|}}{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox video game series | width = | title = BoxBoy! | collapsible = | state = | image = BoxBoy! Series Logo.jpg | caption = | platforms = Nintendo 3DS<br>Nintendo Switch<br>iOS<br>Android | developer = HAL Laboratory | publisher = Nintendo | genre = Puzzle-platform | creator = Yasuhiro Mukae | composer = {{ubl|Jun Ishikawa|Hirokazu Ando}} | first release version = ''BoxBoy!'' | first release date = January 14, 2015 | latest release version = ''BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!'' | latest release date = April 26, 2019 | spinoffs = }}

{{nihongo foot|'''''BoxBoy!'''''|ハコボーイ！|Hako Bōi!|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a series of puzzle-platform games developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo. The series centres around Qbby, a square-shaped character who can produce a string of connected boxes. The boxes are used to overcome obstacles in stages that Qbby must be guided through. The first game, ''BoxBoy!'', released on January 14, 2015, in Japan on the Nintendo 3DS.<ref name="kotaku_jp_release" /> Its sequel, ''BoxBoxBoy!'', was released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2016,<ref name="BoxBOxBoy!_jp_release"/> with a third game, ''Bye-Bye BoxBoy!'', in 2017.<ref name="ByeByeBoy!_jp_release"/> A physical compilation of the first three games, ''HakoBoy! Hakozume Box'', was released in Japan. A fourth installment, ''BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!'', was released for the Nintendo Switch in April 2019.<ref name="BoxBoy!+BoxGirl!_release"/>

== Games == {{Timeline of release years | summary = A timeline of releases in the ''BoxBoy!'' series, from the first in 2015 to present. | range1 = 2015 – | range1_color = #000000 #ffffff <!-- Colors based on the series logo --> | 2015 = ''BoxBoy!'' | 2016 = ''BoxBoxBoy!'' | 2017 = ''Bye-Bye BoxBoy!<br>Uniqlo x HakoBoy!'' | 2019 = ''BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!'' }}

===''BoxBoy!''=== {{Main|BoxBoy! (video game)}} ''BoxBoy!'' was developed by Japanese video game company HAL Laboratory.<ref name="ninlife_int" /> It was a small experimental project in development while the studio was working on ''Kirby: Triple Deluxe'' and ''Kirby and the Rainbow Curse''.<ref name="ninlife_int" /><ref name="kotaku_int" /> The project plan for ''BoxBoy!'' was conceived in July 2011 by employee Yasuhiro Mukae, who would later serve as the game's director. The game revolves around Qbby, a character who can produce boxes and use them to solve puzzles, move around, and press switches.

===''BoxBoxBoy!''=== {{Main|BoxBoxBoy!}} A sequel, ''BoxBoxBoy!'', was released in Japan in January 2016,<ref name="eurog_jp_release">{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-06-boxboy-sequel-gets-a-surprise-release-in-japan|title=Boxboy! sequel gets a surprise release in Japan|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|author=Matulef, Jeffrey|date=6 January 2016|accessdate=2019-07-13|archive-date=2019-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713182528/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-06-boxboy-sequel-gets-a-surprise-release-in-japan|url-status=live}}</ref> and in other territories in June 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-06-15-boxboxboy-release-date-set-this-month|title=BoxBoxBoy! release date set this month|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|author=Matulef, Jeffrey|date=15 June 2016|accessdate=2019-07-13|archive-date=2019-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713182527/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-06-15-boxboxboy-release-date-set-this-month|url-status=live}}</ref> This game introduces the concept of being able to summon two sets of boxes at once.

===''Bye-Bye BoxBoy!''=== {{Main|Bye-Bye BoxBoy!}} ''Bye-Bye BoxBoy!'' was released worldwide in 2017. It features boxes with special properties, such as exploding and warping, and Qbabies that Qbby must escort to the end of a level.

=== ''Uniqlo x HakoBoy!'' === A spinoff advergame promoting a line of Japan-exclusive ''BOXBOY!''-themed clothing released in 2017 by Uniqlo, Uniqlo x HakoBoy! is a mobile game accessible from Uniqlo's official iOS and Android app. Players do not control Qbby directly, but instead swipe to create boxes. Qbby will then attempt to use the boxes the player has made in order to reach the end of a level.

===''BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!''=== {{Main|BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!}} ''BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!'' is the fourth game in the ''BoxBoy!'' series and first to be released on the Nintendo Switch. ''BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!'' features a two-player multiplayer mode for the first time in the series, which was praised by critics. The game was released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch exclusively via Nintendo eShop on April 26, 2019.

==Gameplay== {{See also|BoxBoy! (video game)#Gameplay|l1=Gameplay of BoxBoy!}}

==Reception== {{Video game series reviews | updated = May 1, 2020 | sales_title = Units sold<br />{{small|(in millions)}}

| game1 = Boxboy! | year1 = 2015 | mc1 = '''Nintendo 3DS:''' 80<ref name="metacritic1"/>

| game2 = BoxBoxBoy! | year2 = 2016 | mc2 = '''Nintendo 3DS:''' 80<ref name="metacritic2"/>

| game3 = Bye-Bye BoxBoy! | year3 = 2017 |mc3 = '''Nintendo 3DS:''' 83<ref name="metacritic3"/>

| game4 = BoxBoy! + BoxGirl! | year4 = 2019 |mc4 = '''Nintendo Switch:''' 80<ref name="metacritic4"/> }} {{Expand section|date=March 2020|find2=Jiiko}} The ''BoxBoy!'' series has received generally favourable reviews from critics according to review aggregator website Metacritic. ''IGN'' awarded 8.2 out of 10 score to the game, complementing its black-and-white style and level of complexity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otero |first=Jose |date=2015-05-05 |title=BoxBoy Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/05/boxboy-review |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> ''GameSpot'' gave it a score of 8 for its clever puzzles, easiness, and cuteness. However, they criticized its slow difficulty ramp.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BoxBoy! Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/boxboy-review/1900-6416125/ |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="kotaku_jp_release">{{cite web | url=http://kotaku.com/box-boy-is-full-of-puzzles-platforming-and-cuteness-1681298991 | title=Box Boy is Full of Puzzles, Platforming, and Cuteness | work=Kotaku | publisher=Gizmodo Media Group | first=Richard | last=Eisenbeis| date=January 23, 2015 | accessdate=October 28, 2016 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824133941/http://kotaku.com/box-boy-is-full-of-puzzles-platforming-and-cuteness-1681298991 | archivedate=August 24, 2016 | url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BoxBOxBoy!_jp_release">{{cite web | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-06-boxboy-sequel-gets-a-surprise-release-in-japan | title=Boxboy! sequel gets a surprise release in Japan | work=Eurogamer | publisher=Gamer Network | first=Jeffrey | last=Mautulef | date=January 6, 2016 | accessdate=May 1, 2020 | archive-date=August 16, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816013538/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-06-boxboy-sequel-gets-a-surprise-release-in-japan | url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="ByeByeBoy!_jp_release">{{cite web | url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/12/goodbye_boxboy_has_been_announced_for_nintendo_3ds | title=Goodbye! BOXBOY! Has Been Announced for Nintendo 3DS | work=Nintendo Life | publisher=NLife Media | first=Mitch | last=Vogel | date=December 5, 2016 | accessdate=May 1, 2020 | archive-date=July 25, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725053711/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/12/goodbye_boxboy_has_been_announced_for_nintendo_3ds | url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="BoxBoy!+BoxGirl!_release">{{cite news | url=https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch/2019/2/13/18223965/boxboy-boxgirl-nintendo-switch-trailer-release-date | title=BoxBoy and BoxGirl announced for Nintendo Switch | work=Polygon | publisher=Vox Media | first=Petrana | last=Radulovic | date=February 13, 2019 | accessdate=May 1, 2020 | archive-date=February 16, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216153216/https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch/2019/2/13/18223965/boxboy-boxgirl-nintendo-switch-trailer-release-date | url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="ninlife_int">{{cite web | url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/04/interview_bringing_together_the_3ds_and_game_boy_in_boxboy | title=Interview: Bringing Together the 3DS and Game Boy in BOXBOY! | work=Nintendo Life | publisher=Gamer Network | first=Jon | last=Wahlgren | date=April 24, 2015 | accessdate=October 28, 2016 | url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426183056/http://www.nintendolife.com:80/news/2015/04/interview_bringing_together_the_3ds_and_game_boy_in_boxboy |archive-date=2015-04-26 }}</ref>

<ref name="kotaku_int">{{cite web | url=http://kotaku.com/the-guy-behind-one-of-the-year-s-best-3ds-games-1702235041 | title=The Guy Behind One Of The Year's Best 3DS Games | work=Kotaku | publisher=Gizmodo Media Group | first=Stephen | last=Totilo | date=May 5, 2016 | accessdate=October 28, 2016 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824143056/http://kotaku.com/the-guy-behind-one-of-the-year-s-best-3ds-games-1702235041 | archivedate=August 24, 2016 | url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="metacritic1">{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/boxboy/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds | title=BOXBOY! for 3DS Reviews | work=Metacritic | publisher=CBS Interactive | accessdate=October 28, 2016 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308100850/http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/boxboy%21 | archivedate=March 8, 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="metacritic2">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/boxboxboy/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds|title=BoxBoxBoy! for 3DS Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=2020-05-01|archive-date=2024-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817121921/https://www.metacritic.com/game/boxboxboy/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds|url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="metacritic3">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bye-bye-boxboy/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds|title=Bye-Bye BoxBoy! for 3DS Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=2020-05-01|archive-date=2024-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817121911/https://www.metacritic.com/game/bye-bye-boxboy/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds|url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="metacritic4">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/boxboy-plus-boxgirl/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=BoxBoy! + BoxGirl|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=2020-05-01|archive-date=2024-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817121910/https://www.metacritic.com/game/boxboy-plus-boxgirl/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|url-status=live}}</ref> |30em}}

{{BoxBoy!}}

{{Main franchises by Nintendo}} Category:Cooperative video games Category:HAL Laboratory games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:Nintendo franchises Category:Platformers Category:Puzzle video games Category:Puzzle-platformers Category:Video games developed in Japan Category:Video games about children Category:BoxBoy! Category:Video game franchises introduced in 2015