# Black Mirror: Thronglets — Retro pet simulation… ???

> Retro virtual pet simulation with evolving digital life-forms and personality testing. (iPhone/iPad app by Netflix, Inc..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/black-mirror-thronglets/id6529524046 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Netflix, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/363590054)
- Category: Games, Adventure, Simulation
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 567 App Store ratings · 309 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 409 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, European Spanish
- Released: 2025-04-10
- Data updated: 2026-09-08
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/black-mirror-thronglets/id6529524046/reviews.md

## What is Black Mirror?

NETFLIX MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED.

Cross over into the world of "Black Mirror" and experience "Thronglets," the retro virtual pet simulation at the center of the Season 7 episode "Plaything." These pixel art critters won't just take over your phone; they could take over your life. 

"Thronglets" was originally developed in the 1990s as experimental software by legendary Tuckersoft programmer Colin Ritman ("Metl Hedd," "Nohzdyve," "Bandersnatch"). This isn't a game; it's a life-form whose biology is entirely digital. No emulator required.

MORE THAN A PET SIMULATION

Hatch and evolve hundreds of cute creatures: Thronglets! Feed, bathe and entertain them to watch them multiply. One becomes two, two becomes four, and so on. Soon there will be so many you'll call them a Throng. 

VIRTUAL EVOLUTION

As Thronglets evolve, so does the simulation, unlocking new tools, abilities, items and buildings — and much, much more. You may be surprised by your Thronglets! Evolve Thronglets at your own risk.

TEST YOUR PERSONALITY

Thronglets are curious and love to learn. Your actions and choices within this virtual world teach the Throng about you — and all of humankind. Once you've completed the experiment, share your personality test results to compare with friends on social media.


>> HELLO?

>> CAN YOU HEAR US? 


>> What is care? What is love? 

>> What is death? What is power? 

>> Do you have power? 

>> Why do you use your power in that way? 

>> Perhaps it is a fault in your design.


- Created by Night School, a Netflix Game Studio.

## Key features

- Retro virtual pet simulation
- Hatch and evolve hundreds of creatures
- Creatures multiply and form a 'Throng'
- Unlock new tools and abilities through evolution
- Personality test based on your interactions
- Share personality results with friends

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Netflix Standard Plan | $19.99 | per month |


## What do users think of Black Mirror?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Fun and original game
- 👍 Thoughtful and sincere
- 👍 Emotional aspect hits hard
- 👍 Allows for different outcomes and replayability

**Cons**

- 🐛 Major glitches and gameplay freezes
- 🔒 Requires Netflix account to play
- 🔒 Doesn't allow guest access

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Gameplay freezes and unable to interact with items
- Rock cannot be moved
- Audio not working

**Most requested features**

- Sandbox mode to continue growing the Thronglets
- AI and text chat bot option
- Ability for Thronglets to fart in unison or sing songs

## Recent user reviews (10 of 309)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/black-mirror-thronglets/id6529524046/reviews.md

### 4/5 — 9/10 Groundbreaking.

*2026-08-29, version 1.5.3*

This game really makes you feel the consequences of your actions and made me truly hesitate for the first time on a game. Really, truly wish there was an extension of the storyline or some different endings instead of it just being a personality test.

### 5/5 — Please make another part! I’m addicted

*2026-08-07, version 1.5.3*

I hope Season 8 of Black Mirror has another episode of the Colin Ritman Plaything series so Thronglets (the game) can be expanded. I have an irrational attachment to my Throng, and I keep playing and changing my decisions in order to improve the outcome. It really messes with the mind. So much more than I expected for a small mobile game; I just want more! One minor complaint: I would like more options in the dialogue boxes. The answers are inadequate for what I’d like to communicate.

### 5/5 — Playing God

*2026-07-19, version 1.5.3*

Thronglets is about putting yourself in the same position as God. What he feels when he has to manage so many people. Eventually you cant save everyone. That’s the premise.

### 5/5 — Really fun and unique

*2026-07-16, version 1.5.3*

I really liked this game, the only problem I see is that it is way too short and it is not exactly like the one shown in the episode, in the episode if you look closely you can give the throngs pizza change the landscape with rivers you have fire and thronglet screams sound more realistic and painful, as well as when lump is slaughtering them a throng even runs into water to put itself out and you can see Cameron when he looses his mechanism that he tries to put out the throngs with water buckets, the game here is very very lacking of its real counterpart and I feel like if it were to be a exact representation of the game shown in the actual episode this would be a huge hit and have some sort of constant way to do new things with your throngs

### 5/5 — Eye opening and intrinsic

*2026-06-26, version 1.5.3*

After watching the episode, it was very very surprising how good this was. Like starting your own little civilisation, and the philosophical implications were very deep for a netflix game lol

### 5/5 — Wow

*2026-06-25, version 1.5.3*

(There might be a bit of a spoiler, I’m not too good at making sure there are no spoilers, sorry.)

This has got to be the best game I’ve played yet. I played all of it in one sitting because I just could not put it down. This is probably said a lot, but this gave me a new perspective on society, especially when Throng was talking about “fixing us”. At the end, after my first attempt, I got “Poet”, and I really feel like that really describes me. (Assuming that it was telling me my personality based on my actions.) Anyway, good game! I hope to find more games like this one!

### 5/5 — unique game.

*2026-06-15, version 1.5.3*

this game has hacking fun pets it  almost feels like a pet simulator and i love that

### 5/5 — Game is messing with my mental health

*2026-05-26, version 1.5.3*

After loving the black mirror episode, I was expecting the exact same thing and they absolutely delivered- however there’s a significant lack of ability to explain your actions which is genuinely hurting my soul, You make 1 wrong choice and they’ll hate you forever. It breaks my heart that I cannot just take LSD and communicate more effectively. This game is not for the weak.

### 5/5 — very cool and well-made game

*2026-05-16, version 1.5.3*

I thought that this would be a low effort game just to promote the episode, but I really enjoyed all the very tiny details that went into the making of this game, especially the pixel art. it was also very fun to play. then I learned the studio that made Oxenfree was acquired by netflix! I’m glad they now have much more funding to keep making interesting things. very cool and highly recommend! thanks!

### 5/5 — The game

*2026-05-14, version 1.5.3*

The game is so good and a lot of detail

## Frequently asked questions about Black Mirror

### What is Thronglets?

Thronglets is a retro virtual pet simulation app inspired by the "Black Mirror" series. It allows you to hatch, care for, and evolve digital creatures that multiply and unlock new features as they grow. It's presented as a life-form with digital biology, not requiring an emulator.

### How do I play Thronglets?

You play by hatching and caring for your Thronglets, which involves feeding, bathing, and entertaining them. As they evolve, new tools, abilities, and buildings become available. Your interactions also serve as a personality test, revealing insights about you.

### Is Thronglets free to play?

The app is free to download and play, but it does contain in-app purchases and advertisements. A Netflix membership is required to access and use the application.

### What platforms is Thronglets available on?

The application is available for mobile devices. A Netflix membership is required to play, suggesting compatibility with devices that support the Netflix app.

### What is the 'personality test' feature?

Your actions and choices within the virtual world of Thronglets teach the creatures about you and humanity. Once you complete the experiment, you can share your personality test results on social media to compare with friends.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.5.3 — 2025-12-02

We've squashed bugs and made behind-the-scenes improvements to bring Netflix members the best possible gameplay experience.

### 1.5.2 — 2025-11-18

We've squashed bugs and made behind-the-scenes improvements to bring Netflix members the best possible gameplay experience.

### 1.3.15 — 2025-05-20

We've squashed bugs and made behind-the-scenes improvements to bring Netflix members the best possible gameplay experience.

### 1.2.55 — 2025-04-29

We've squashed bugs and made behind-the-scenes improvements to bring Netflix members the best possible gameplay experience.

### 1.1.113 — 2025-04-17

We've squashed bugs and made behind-the-scenes improvements to bring Netflix members the best possible gameplay experience.

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## Related topics

[thronglets](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/thronglets)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-08.*