@ichikawa_zoo (X) / Richie Branson
There’s now a video game where you can play as Punch, the viral baby monkey from Ichikawa Zoo.
Punch, a baby macaque from Japan, quickly took the internet by storm after videos of him clinging to an orangutan plush went viral. The story behind it, however, is far more heartbreaking.
Rejected by his own mother, the young monkey was left with the plush as his source of comfort. To make matters worse, adult monkeys were also seen attacking and dragging him, leaving many fans online deeply concerned.
Now, Punch’s story has even inspired a game called Zoo Fighter, where players can take control of the young macaque and fight back against ‘bullies.’
You can now play a video game inspired by Punch
Developed by a former Fortnite developer, Richie Branson, Zoo Fighter is a free, web-based game with one simple goal.
Richie BransonPunch still clings to his plush even while fighting other monkeys.
You play as Punch and click your mouse to knock away hostile monkeys coming your way. When you manage to knock out 100 of them, Punch will get to go to a sanctuary.
Just like in real life, Punch even carries his comfort orangutan plush with him in the game.
“We’re screaming free Punch till it’s backwards!” can be seen when you click the “Learn More” option. This tab reveals that this game was written as a “love letter to all animals doing a bid at the zoo.”
“Animal sanctuaries are often better for primates than zoos because they put the animals’ well-being first instead of public display. They offer larger, more natural spaces and rescue animals from neglect or captivity rather than breeding them,” it read.
Streamer Maya explains why other monkeys are being “aggressive” to viral baby monkey Punch
Ichikawa Zoo responds after viral baby Punch sparks concerns over monkey conditions
The note ended by saying the focus is on “lifelong care and less human interface,” giving primates a less stressful place to live.
Although many were upset to see how the older monkeys treated Punch at the zoo, it looks like things have gotten better for him. The monkey now even has a “bodyguard”, and IKEA has donated plushies to Punch.
