Squid Game: Decoding the Challenges – A Breakdown of Games and Rules

Explore the first set of Squid Game: The Challenge episodes now ready to stream, and discover the complete rundown of games, trials, and regulations. Are you ready to join in the competition? This isn't your typical Saw movie. Instead, it's the thrilling spinoff game show inspired by the hit Netflix series, where participants vie for a cash prize that could change their lives - if they can survive the deadly challenges.

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Squid Game: The Challenge games and rules

Find below a comprehensive list of games and tests with their respective rule breakdowns. The details presented are from Batch 1 episodes released by Netflix on November 22, and we will continue to update as Batches 2 and 3 become available.

Game 1: Red Light, Green Light rules

Netflix

The first game is the iconic Red Light, Green Light, in which all 456 players must stand behind the starting line. The rules are as follows: 

Players can move forward when the doll starts singing

They must stop moving when the doll stops singing

If they fail to stop moving when required, they will be eliminated

Players have five minutes to cross the finish line, or else they will be eliminated

Test 1 rules

Netflix

The rules are simple for the first test in Squid Game: The Challenge. Two players are selected and secretly made to choose from the following options:

Giving a player an advantage in the next game

Choosing to eliminate one player

Game 2: Dalgona rules

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The infamous Squid Game Dalgona challenge makes an appearance in Episode 2, this time split into two sections to ensure a fair chance for everyone. The first part involves players separating into four teams and standing in queues.

The first four players from each queue will enter the Dalgona room and select from four shapes: circle, triangle, star, or umbrella. They will have two minutes to come to a consensus on which shape each player will represent on their team.

If they can’t decide within two minutes, all four are eliminated and the next four people from each team are sent in to do the same

This is repeated until everyone is in agreement

Once all of the teams have been assigned their shapes, the main part of the game can begin, which follows these rules: 

Each player must take a honeycomb cookie indented with their team’s shape

Using a needle, each player has 10 minutes to separate the shape from the rest of the cookie

If they break their shape or do not complete the game within 10 minutes, they are eliminated

Test 2 rules

Netflix

When the phone in the dormitory rings for the second time, the challenge is to convince another player to pick up the call within two minutes in order to win a treat.

If another player agrees to answer the phone within this time frame, they will avoid elimination. However, if they are unable to persuade another player to answer the call within two minutes, the person who initially answered the phone will be eliminated.

Game 3: Warships rules

Netflix

In the third game of Squid Game: The Challenge, participants play a human-sized version of Battleship called Warships. All contestants are divided into eight teams and then randomly paired off to compete against each other. Each pair consists of one red team and one blue team. The rules are as follows:

Each team's vertical facing board is divided into coordinates from A1 to H8, representing the opposing team's board. Additionally, each team has their own horizontal board with the same coordinates.

Each team must select a Captain, who will then choose a Lieutenant. Together, they will strategize the placement of their missiles on the vertical board. The remaining team members must divide into boats of different sizes and plan their positioning on the horizontal board.

Both the red and the blue teams must take turn firing missiles at the opposing side

Players are only eliminated if their entire ship is sunk

The first Captain and Lieutenant to sink two of the opposing team’s ships win and pass the game

The losing Captain and Lieutenant are eliminated along with the players of the sunken ships

Test 3 rules

Netflix

During the third test, dormitory staff introduce a numeric keypad. Contestants are instructed to form a line and vote for a player to eliminate. The three players with the highest votes are sent home.

There's a twist, though: if they vote for a player who's already been selected, it won't be displayed. But if they vote for a new player, it will, potentially drawing unwanted attention to themselves.

Game 4: Ddakji rules

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While not an official part of Squid Game: The Challenge, Ddakji is still a significant component of the original game. Two Ddakji tiles, one red and one blue, are left in the kitchen for the first two players to find and play with. However, the players are unaware of the rules of the game.

Each player takes turns trying to flip their opponent's Ddakji tile on the ground by throwing their own tile. The player who flips their opponent's tile the most within a set time wins a candy bar.

Test 4 rules

Netflix

Batch 1's final test requires five volunteers to step forward in front of the other contestants. These volunteers need to select one of six jack-in-the-boxes and then take turns opening their box, with each box containing one of three possible options:

- An advantage in the next game

The power to eliminate other players

Immediate elimination

All the games, tests, and rules in Squid Game: The Challenge have been covered so far, and we will continue to update as new episodes are released on Netflix.

Batch 1 (Episodes 1-5) of Squid Game: The Challenge is currently available on Netflix, with Batch 2 (Episodes 6-9) set to arrive on November 29th. You can learn more about the show below.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled about the release of Squid Game: The Challenge on Netflix. The original Squid Game series was a global phenomenon, and I can't wait to see how the new game show adaptation will measure up. I'm particularly excited about the new games and challenges that have been added to the show, such as the human-sized version of Battleship called Warships. I think this is a great way to keep the show fresh and exciting for fans of the original series.

Overall, I think Squid Game: The Challenge is a great way to bring the Squid Game experience to a wider audience. I'm excited to see how the show progresses and I'm rooting for all of the contestants!