How Backbone Entertainment Turned Charlotte’s Web into a ‘Pig of Persia’ Homage on Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS

In the dynamic world of licensed video games, creative developers occasionally use well-known IPs as a springboard for exploring new ideas, often resulting in innovative and unexpected experiences.

One shining example emerged in 2006, when Backbone Entertainment, working for Sega, released Charlotte’s Web on the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS.

While the game was based on the classic E.B.

White children’s novel and its film adaptation, the talented team led by Mike Mika took the licensed project in a unique direction, blending inspiration from legendary platformers into the design. Backbone Entertainment itself was born from a merger between Digital Eclipse—a studio renowned for its work on classic compilations—and ImaginEngine.

The Charlotte’s Web game, published by Sega to coincide with the movie’s release, served as an action platformer starring Wilbur the Pig, who leaps and bounds through diverse levels.

Despite its source material, the gameplay drew heavily from Jordan Mechner’s iconic Prince of Persia, incorporating agile movement and parkour-inspired mechanics.

Internally, the development team even dubbed the project "Pig of Persia"—a playful nod to Wilbur’s prince-like adventuring. Reflecting on the game, Mike Mika, a driving force at Digital Eclipse and Backbone Entertainment, recently shared insights behind its unconventional design.

In his words, the team frequently looked back on the Charlotte’s Web Game Boy Advance title, recalling how it evolved into an action platform game where Wilbur performed acrobatic leaps across platforms.

Mika explained the affectionate internal nickname, emphasizing their desire to channel the spirit of Prince of Persia into a completely different universe. In previous interviews, Mika highlighted how Backbone and Digital Eclipse—and similar studios—often had creative freedom with handheld console projects, thanks largely to the publishers and license holders not being overly concerned with these versions as long as deadlines were met.

This relative autonomy empowered teams to experiment and infuse their own inspirations, resulting in distinctive takes on familiar properties. Charlotte’s Web for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS stands as a testament to this latitude, showcasing how a familiar children’s story can be reimagined through the lens of classic game design.

Released in 2006, the title remains a fascinating example of game development ingenuity, blending traditional source material with gaming history’s standout mechanics. Today, the story of "Pig of Persia" continues to resonate with developers and retro gaming enthusiasts alike, underlining how creative passion can transform even the most conventional licenses into memorable and innovative gaming experiences on platforms like Nintendo’s handhelds.

Nintendo Game Boy Game Boy Advance Xbox Series X|S Nintendo DS DS Backbone Entertainment Digital Eclipse ImaginEngine Charlotte's Web Prince of Persia Sega E.B. White Wilbur the Pig Mike Mika