Bongo Cat now supports multiplayer, which was added as part of its latest update. This release adds an entirely new dimension of entertainment to one of Steam's biggest games.
Originally released in early March 2025, Bongo Cat is a gamified Pomodoro timer based on the popular meme of the same name. It adds the titular Bongo Cat to one's desktop and has it tap the screen with its little paws in rhythm with keyboard, mouse, or gamepad inputs. Every half an hour, the free-to-play game drops a hat or a skin that the cat can wear. The simple premise has enchanted many a user, with Bongo Cat peaking at over 194,500 concurrent players in May 2025, according to data compiled by SteamDB. While it has fallen off since then, it's still one of the most popular games on Steam.
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Bongo Cat Adds Chaotic Multiplayer Lobbies in 'Meowtiplayer' Update
The latest Bongo Cat update that rolled out in mid-August 2025 introduced multiplayer to the game. The addition arrives in the form of chaotic lobbies for up to 100 people that anyone is free to create or join. There are no dedicated servers to manage here, as the feature is implemented via Valve's own networking framework, meaning all the necessary data is handled by Steam. Joining a lobby for the first time will allow players to choose one of three sets consisting of two Legendary Bongo Cat items. These so-called Fusion Sets—comprising team Pineapple, Watermelon, and Strawberry—can only drop once.
Much like the game itself, the multiplayer mode is fairly simple: it's Bongo Cat, but with up to 100 cute cats on screen instead of just one. Everyone sees everyone else's taps, and the same goes for the "meow meow" speech bubble that can be activated by clicking one's own cat. While straightforward, the premise can result in a lot of chaos once lobbies start filling up and people begin meowing in response to others en masse. If things get too distracting, the old "Always on Top" settings toggle applies to all the cats in a lobby and can be unchecked to hide them behind a window. After obtaining the exclusive Fusion Set, there are no material benefits to launching the game's multiplayer again.
Why Is Bongo Cat So Popular?
While the simple premise of Bongo Cat makes it an inherently accessible title, its popularity is at least partially owed to its Steam Marketplace integration, which allows users to sell the hats and skins that drop every 30 minutes. A similar mechanism contributed to the rise of Steam's Banana phenomenon.
At its core, Bongo Cat is a desktop idler suitable for work and studying. While its "meowtiplayer" update doesn't exactly help with maintaining focus, it enhances the game's whimsical premise and fosters a lighthearted sense of community.
