Pixel Pals: Notification Pet

Something small lives at the top of your screen.

Pixel Pals puts a hand-drawn pixel animal where your notifications already appear. When a message arrives it does not simply fade in — it is thrown at your screen, and somebody has to go and catch it.

Every pal catches differently. Rupert the dog sprints out past the edge and takes it in the air. Hugo the cat waits until the last moment and bats it down. Kiwi the parrot takes off and intercepts it. Bubbles the penguin belly-slides underneath. Dwayne the pet rock does absolutely nothing, and it bounces off him.

EIGHTEEN PALS
Dog, cat, hedgehog, fox, axolotl, otter, bat, parrot, tiger, platypus, panda, raccoon, butterfly, T-rex, bunny, red panda, penguin — and one very calm rock.

NINE WAYS TO GET A MESSAGE
Who you keep up there changes what your phone feels like all day.

LOOK AFTER THEM
Feed them, play, let them nap. Tap for a pat. Double-tap and they roll over. Rub back and forth to scratch behind the ears. Press and hold to pick them up.

TEN COSTUMES
Classic through Cyberpunk, unlocked by levelling up — and every pal remembers what they wore.

KEEP TWO AT ONCE
Pin a second pal and they boop noses, copy each other's hops and nap side by side while you are away.

Two pals are free. One purchase unlocks the other sixteen, the duo pin and the whole closet. No ads, no subscription.