Season 2 of the global sensation Squid Game has arrived, and it’s already creating waves.
What makes this season particularly thrilling for Malaysians is the inclusion of games that hit close to home—nostalgic games we grew up playing.
Here’s a breakdown of the top five childhood games featured in ‘Squid Game 2’ that Malaysians can proudly relate to:
1. Tug of war (Tarik tali)
This game was a nail-biting moment in Season 1, but it’s back in Season 2 with even higher stakes. In Malaysia, tarik tali is a classic game played at school sports days or community gatherings. The rules are simple: teams pull on opposite ends of a rope, and the first to drag the opposing team across a line wins. While our childhood version didn’t involve life-or-death consequences, the strength, teamwork, and thrill of this game remain the same.
2. Flying stone (Baling selipar)
In ‘Squid Game 2’, the creators introduced a game resembling baling selipar. Players must knock down a pyramid of objects using a projectile—mirroring how we used to stack slippers and throw one to topple them over. This Malaysian favourite is all about precision and speed, but in the series, missing the target could mean dire consequences. As kids, we just risked being teased by our friends for missing a shot!
3. Gong-gi (Batu Seremban)
This game is a beloved pastime for many Malaysians. Batu Seremban involves tossing small stones or objects into the air and catching them in specific sequences. It’s all about focus, dexterity, and hand-eye coordination. Seeing this game featured in ‘Squid Game 2’ brought waves of nostalgia for those who grew up playing it during recess or lazy afternoons at home.
4. Spinning top (Gasing)
The art of spinning a gasing takes skill and patience, both of which are put to the test in ‘Squid Game 2’. In the series, players had to ensure their tops spun the longest to survive—a tense twist on a game we once played for fun in schoolyards or kampung compounds. It’s fascinating to see how such a simple game can be transformed into a high-stakes challenge on-screen!
5. Jegi (Sepak bulu ayam)
Better known in Malaysia as sepak bulu ayam, this game is all about keeping a shuttlecock-like object airborne using just your feet. In ‘Squid Game 2’, the stakes were upped, with players needing to keep it in the air for a set number of kicks. As Malaysians, we fondly recall playing this during recess, challenging our friends to see who could keep it up the longest. In the series, however, dropping the jegi could cost you everything.
Park Sung-hoon nails batu seremban like a pro
If there’s one moment Malaysians couldn’t stop talking about, it’s Park Sung-hoon’s incredible batu Seremban performance. In a TikTok video by Netflix Malaysia, Park showcased his skills using batik-inspired batu Seremban sets, completing all four levels without a single miss.
His shoutout to Malaysia and Singapore, along with his heartfelt “I love you, Malaysia,” made the video even more special. Malaysians couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride seeing our childhood game spotlighted on a global platform.
What’s next?
With Season 3 being the final instalment of Squid Game, fans are left wondering: will more iconic Malaysian childhood games make an appearance?
Perhaps congkak or galah panjang? The possibilities are endless, and we’re already brimming with anticipation!
What do you think? Could your favourite childhood game be next? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section—we’d love to hear from you.
The Squid Game hype is real, and with these nostalgic childhood games making their way onto the global stage, Malaysians have every reason to feel proud. Can’t wait for Season 3? Neither can we.
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