El Conejo's Cultura: Building a Bad Bunny Game (The Tech, The Culture, The Journey)
As a Bad Bunny fan and developer, I wanted to create something that celebrated El Conejo Malo's cultural impact while experimenting with interactive web experiences. The result? El Conejo's Cultura Juego — a drag-and-drop game that's equal parts tribute and technical challenge.
The Inspiration
Bad Bunny isn't just a reggaeton artist; he's a cultural phenomenon who's reshaped Latin music, fashion, and representation. I wanted to capture that energy in an interactive format that felt playful and engaging; something fans could enjoy while learning more about his impact.
The Technical Build
I built the game vibe coding — using html, css, and JavaScript with drag-and-drop functionality at its core. The challenge was making the interactions smooth and intuitive across different devices while keeping the design vibrant and true to Bad Bunny's aesthetic.
Key technical decisions included:
Responsive drag-and-drop mechanics that work on both desktop and mobile
Colorful, bold UI inspired by Bad Bunny's visual style
Fast loading times to keep players engaged from the first interaction
The Learning Process: Why Failure Isn't an Option
One unique aspect of El Conejo's Cultura is its approach to mistakes—there aren't any. If you don't quite nail the gesture or miss a move, the game doesn't penalize you with a "game over" screen or force you to restart. Instead, it adapts and lets you try again.
Why this matters:
This design choice is intentional and rooted in cultural learning principles. Traditional art forms like puppetry aren't learned through rigid pass-fail systems—they're learned through practice, repetition, and gradual mastery. Master puppeteers don't scold apprentices for imperfect movements; they guide them toward improvement.
By removing failure states, the game creates a low-pressure learning environment where players can:
Focus on the cultural experience rather than performance anxiety
Experiment with gestures without fear of punishment
Develop an intuitive understanding of the puppet's movements through repetition
Stay immersed in the narrative without jarring interruptions
The technical side:
The game uses adaptive difficulty adjustment. If you're struggling with a particular gesture or timing, the system subtly loosens its requirements or provides additional visual cues. This keeps frustration low and engagement high—essential for maintaining the emotional connection that makes cultural learning effective.
Research supports this approach: studies show that cultural digital games with lower performance pressure and adaptive support systems enhance both emotional engagement and cultural understanding compared to rigid, punitive systems. The goal isn't to test you—it's to invite you into Bad Bunny's world and let you experience the art form at your own pace.
This forgiving design philosophy reflects a core value: cultural appreciation shouldn't feel like an exam. It should feel like play, exploration, and discovery—which is exactly what makes El Conejo's Cultura work.
The Creative Process
Designing around Bad Bunny's brand meant embracing maximalism: bright colors, bold typography, and an unapologetically fun vibe. Every element needed to feel like it belonged in Benito's world, from the color palette to the playful language.
What I Learned
Building El Conejo's Cultura taught me that the best projects combine passion with purpose. When you're creating something you genuinely care about, the technical challenges become puzzles to solve rather than obstacles.
Play the game above or here.
