The Big Con (video game)
The Big Con is a single-player adventure game by Mighty Yell, published by Skybound Games. Set in the 1990s, it follows Ali, a teenager who helps save her mom Linda’s video rental store. After meeting Ted, a con artist, they travel across the United States trying to raise money to pay off a big debt.
Gameplay is about pulling off small cons. In each location, Ali must collect money by pickpocketing NPCs. Each person shows how much cash they have, and players use a timing-based minigame to steal it. If you fail, you can try again with a disguise, but three failures may require rewinding VHS tapes at the store. You can also earn money by collecting items to sell to a pawnbroker and taking on side quests.
The game was created by Toronto-based Mighty Yell. The 1990s setting and bright, colorful visuals were chosen to feel believable and fun. Artist Saffron Aurora drew inspiration from cartoons like The Simpsons and Doug. Ali is voiced by Erika Ishii, and Rad Ghost is voiced by Dave Fennoy.
Development highlights include winning $50,000 at the 2018 EGLX Gaming Pitch Competition, and showing the game at PAX events and Tribeca Festival. A demo appeared at Steam Next Fest, and a teaser was released in 2020. The soundtrack was composed by Dan Rodrigues, with a theme song performed by Rockapella.
Release details:
- Original: Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S on August 31, 2021
- Nintendo Switch: June 1, 2022 (The Big Con: Grift of the Year Edition)
- PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5: August 31, 2023
The Grift of the Year Edition also arrived on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Reception and awards:
- Generally favorable reviews on Metacritic
- Praise for the vibrant art style and music; some critics found the pickpocketing minigame confusing or the gameplay loop repetitive
- Nominated for several awards, including an honorable mention for Excellence in Narrative at the Independent Games Festival, and nominations at the Canadian Game Awards and the Game Audio Network Guild Awards
- Won praise from outlets for its story and charm, with some saying it’s a great pick for fans of adventure games.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 06:25 (CET).