Sam & Max: This Time It's Virtual!

Released Sep 2021

Sam is a dog in a suit. Max is his naked rabbity partner. Together, they’re the Freelance Police. Jump into the not-quite-right world of Sam & Max via the wonder science of virtual reality, and join the multimedia darlings in their never-ending quest to slap the stupid grin off the face of evil.

40% positive · 104 reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Where to buy

Steam Updated 6 Oct 2026 $29.99

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Evaluation

Sam & Max: This Time It's Virtual! launched on September 10, 2021. The developer's post-launch activity consisted entirely of three bug-fix patches issued in the week following launch (September 11, 13, and 17, 2021), addressing controller alignment and level-specific bugs. There have been no developer communications of any kind since September 17, 2021 — nearly five years ago. No DLC was ever listed, no expansions were announced, no roadmap was published, and no future content was hinted at. The game shipped as a self-contained VR adventure and all post-launch activity was purely maintenance-focused. There is no indication from the developer that additional content was ever planned beyond the base game.

Evidence

Game launched on September 10, 2021. No mention of post-launch content plans or roadmap.

news post · Sep 10, 2021 source content shipped

high

Final patch notes posted. Last official communication from the developer to date.

news post · Sep 17, 2021 source development ending

medium

Media

Details

Developer

HappyGiant

Publisher

Big Sugar

Achievements

Platform

Windows

Controller

—

Steam Deck

Not rated

Players

Single-player

VR Adventure Point & Click Puzzle Funny Comedy Cartoon Cartoony Action-Adventure Comic Book 3D Detective Dogs Story Rich Indie

About this game

Sam is a dog with a hat. Max is a hyperkinetic naked rabbity thing. Together, they’re the Freelance Police, the intergalactically famous agents of indiscriminately applied justice, now starring in their umpteenth video game, Sam & Max: This Time It’s Virtual! Even multimedia evil-slappers like Sam & Max could use a hand, and this time they’re using the incomprehensible magic of virtual reality to invite the player into their off-kilter world for a furious day of monster-slaying, obstacle courses, responsibly discharged firearms, and, of course, saving the entire freaking world.

Key features

Experience the two-fisted japes and tomfoolery of internationally beloved icons Sam & Max in mind-melting virtual reality!
Push yourself to be the best of the best of the middling, as a dog and a naked rabbity thing harangue and cajole you through a bewildering assortment of Freelance Police Academy training challenges.
Discover the horrible and socially relevant secrets lurking behind, under, and within Cap’n Aquabear’s rotting theme park!
Give evil scientists and demonic trespassers their just desserts… with sprinkles!
Immersion so real you can feel Sam’s breath on your neck!
The This Time It’s Virtual! development team includes Sam & Max creator Steve Purcell, LucasArts alumni Peter Chan (concept art), Mike Stemmle (writer/designer), Mike Levine (creative director), and Julian Kwasneski and Jared Emerson-Johnson of Bay Area Sound, who worked on the Telltale series. David Nowlin and Dave Boat are returning to voice Sam and Max.