Obscure Disney 2003 game set in ‘Winnie the Pooh’ universe becomes horror favorite online

Piglet, the tiny pink sidekick to Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, is more horrific than wholesome in a 2003 game that has sparked a frenzy on social media this week, after being rediscovered by some players.

Piglet’s Big Game, released as a tie-in with the Disney film “Piglet’s BIG Adventure,” follows the beloved character as he enters the dreams of his “Winnie the Pooh” friends. In the last week, the game appears to have seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to several posts on X that racked up millions of views.

One user shared audio from the game’s soundtrack, which is titled “Foreboding 1,” in a YouTube video title. Another person shared on X a glimpse into the game, which shows Piglet wandering through an empty mansion that seems rife for jump scares.

In the game’s narrative, Piglet observes his friends (Pooh, Tigger, Eeore, Rabbit and Roo) preoccupied by their various interests. For example, Pooh is shown attempting to get honey while the oft depressed Eeore mopes in his tent. At some point in the game, Piglet realizes that his friends have all fallen asleep and he must then enter their dreams to complete tasks and help them wake up.

Search interest in the game has grown since it began getting posted about on X on Nov. 7, according to Google Trends. It also saw a spike in interest on eBay, with gamers captivated by how a cute cartoon somehow became the subject of such a creepy, horror-esque game. Roughly 60 copies of the game have been sold on the online resale site since posts on X started gaining traction. In the weeks before the newfound attention, between zero and two games were being sold per month on average.

The game’s recent popularity online is the latest example of gamer nostalgia, in which consumers seek to recreate the rush of playing their favorite older titles on early-era consoles. In recent years, video game publishers have cashed in on the growing interest among gamers to tap into the past by releasing remastered titles, including Spyro the Dragon, the Crash Bandicoot series and Tomb Raider titles.

Piglet’s Big Game was released on the GameCube, PlayStation 2, GameBoy Advanced, Mac and PC, but each iteration varies in gameplay. Prior to the buzz on X, copies of the game sold for about $20 to $30, with some going for as low as just under $6. Now, the copies are selling for $70 or more.

Many gamers who saw the viral videos drew comparison to popular horror games they play regularly.

“as someone who’s actually played piglet’s big game, the best way you can describe it is baby’s first resident evil and/or silent hill and no, I am not exaggerating,” wrote one person on X,  referencing two of the largest mature-rated horror games franchises.

Some shared clips from the game that underscore why they think it belongs in the horror genre. One X user posted a video in which the often-timid Piglet is seen quivering with fear as he runs through what appears to be an abandoned child’s room.

Another X user pointed out the game's eerie soundtrack, asking the creative lead of the remastered horror title Silent Hill 2, Mateusz Lenart, if he was inspired by Piglet’s Big Game when composing “Chthonic Symphony.”

Lenart did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Disney Games also did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the recent interest in Piglet’s Big Game. Developer Doki Denki Studio and publisher Gotham Games both appear to be defunct.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com