A fan developer is bringing to life a game adaptation of the much-loved animated series “Courage the Cowardly Dog,” despite the show never having had an official video game version. With the series having been out of production for over 23 years, an official game appears unlikely — but now a dedicated fan has taken up the challenge.
Development and release details
The upcoming fan game, created by the developer known as El Gato Del Tejado, has been in development for nearly two years and builds on a previously released demo. The full version of the game is due to launch on 28 November via the creative platform Dreams, meaning players will need a copy of Dreams — and access to it on PS4 or PS5 — to play.
What makes this project especially intriguing is the choice of development engine: instead of using typical tools such as Unreal Engine or Unity, El Gato Del Tejado opted to build the entire game within Dreams. Developed by Media Molecule, Dreams lets players create and share their own games and experiences. While the Dreams community has dwindled — in part because the title was never expanded to PC and lacked long-term support — the developer behind this Courage project has evidently honed his skills and applied them to recreate the cartoon’s signature weird, surreal feel.
Faithful to the original’s spirit
The new trailer reveals that the fan game captures the essence of the original Courage the Cowardly Dog series from Cartoon Network. It features Courage’s panicked screams, monsters chasing him and his owners, and the horror-comedy atmosphere that made the show a cult hit. The visuals and tone are described as “perfectly creepy and surreal,” signalling that the creator has paid close attention to the source material.
The creator’s other projects include a remaster of The Simpsons Hit & Run as well as other creative initiatives. Given this track record and the fact that most viewers would likely not guess the game was made in Dreams, the upcoming Courage game appears to push the limits of what the tool can deliver.
What to expect and how to play
As the game releases on 28 November, prospective players will need to ensure they have access to Dreams on a PS4 or PS5 console. While the requirement might limit the audience compared with a typical standalone release, it also demonstrates how far fan developers can take non-traditional tools. Whether the game will receive updates or expansions remains to be seen — but for fans of Courage and retro horror-comedy animation, this fan title is poised to be a standout.
With no official game ever having been produced for the series and no indication of one in the pipeline, this fan project may fill a long-standing gap. It serves as a testament to the passion of fans and the adaptability of creative platforms like Dreams.
