scorecard
  1. Home
  2. entertainment
  3. news
  4. 12 photos show how the 'Squid Game: The Challenge' games and sets compare to the Netflix drama

12 photos show how the 'Squid Game: The Challenge' games and sets compare to the Netflix drama

Ayomikun Adekaiyero   

12 photos show how the 'Squid Game: The Challenge' games and sets compare to the Netflix drama
"Squid Game: The Challenge" set vs "Squid Game" set.Pete Dadds / Netflix
  • "Squid Game: The Challenge" is a new reality competition based on Netflix's hit Korean drama.
  • The game show recreates many of the games and sets from the original show.

Netflix's "Squid Game: The Challenge" recreates some of the iconic games and sets from the streaming service's hit 2021 drama, "Squid Game."

On "The Challenge," 456 contestants compete for the chance to win $4.56 million by taking part in "Squid Game"-inspired challenges.

"The Challenge" features some of the games from the drama, like "Red Light, Green Light" and "Dalgona."

Here is what the games and sets look like on "The Challenge" compared to the original show.

The first game in "Squid Game" is "Red Light, Green Light."

The first game in "Squid Game" is "Red Light, Green Light."
In the show, the game is played on an island boxed in by walls with fake fields painted on them.      Netflix

In the first episode of "Squid Game,'" 456 players compete in "Red Light, Green Light." To win, they must make it from one side of the room to the other without being spotted by a creepy rotating doll.

The set on "Squid Game: The Challenge" has some minor changes.

The set on "Squid Game: The Challenge" has some minor changes.
The game appears to be played on an indoor set in "Squid Game: The Challenge."      Netflix

There is a painted tree behind the doll at the finish line, rather than a real tree.

In addition, the production team has added small huts on either side of the room, presumably to allow referees to monitor the contestants.

Contestants are led through a complex staircase to get to each challenge in "Squid Game."

Contestants are led through a complex staircase to get to each challenge in "Squid Game."
The stairs are an homage to the famous "Relativity" print by M. C. Escher, according to "Squid Game" director Hwang Dong-hyuk.      Netflix

The stairs seen on "Squid Game: The Challenge" are less elaborate.

The stairs seen on "Squid Game: The Challenge" are less elaborate.
The stairs on "Squid Game: The Challenge."      Netflix

In between games, the contestants in "Squid Game" live in one big dormitory.

In between games, the contestants in "Squid Game" live in one big dormitory.
The dormitory in "Squid Game."      Noh Juhan / Netflix

The "Squid Game: The Challenge" dormitory appears more spacious.

The "Squid Game: The Challenge" dormitory appears more spacious.
As contestants are eliminated, beds are removed from the dorm.      Pete Dadds / Netflix

In episode three of "Squid Game," the players compete in "Dalgona."

In episode three of "Squid Game," the players compete in "Dalgona."
The Dalgona arena in "Squid Game."      Noh Juhan / Netflix

In "Dalgona," contestants must cut one of four shapes — a circle, a triangle, a star, or an umbrella — out of a cookie with just a small needle.

The "Dalgona" set on "Squid Game: The Challenge" looks less cheery.

The "Dalgona" set on "Squid Game: The Challenge" looks less cheery.
The room on the reality show has a swing rather than a slide.      Netflix

In episode six of "Squid Game," the contestants play a game involving marbles.

In episode six of "Squid Game," the contestants play a game involving marbles.
This arena's background is of a setting sun.      Netflix

The contestants must get into pairs and use marbles to make up a game to determine who will move on to the next round, and who will be eliminated.

The sunset backdrop looks more realistic on "Squid Game: The Challenge."

The sunset backdrop looks more realistic on "Squid Game: The Challenge."
Contestants on the reality show play the same marble game as the drama.      Netflix

In episode seven of "Squid Game," players must make it across a glass bridge to survive.

In episode seven of "Squid Game," players must make it across a glass bridge to survive.
This set appears to be circus themed.      Netflix

In the game, half of the stepping stones are made of brittle glass. Step on the wrong stone, and players fall to their deaths.

The players on "Squid Game: The Challenge" had stunt doubles to fall for them.

The players on "Squid Game: The Challenge" had stunt doubles to fall for them.
This game set is the most accurate from the reality series.      Pete Dadds / Netflix

The game show's executive producer John Hay told Entertainment Weekly that when contestants stepped on the wrong stone, they were replaced by a stunt double to film their fall.

Hay said: "The fall itself was done by a professional stunt person for the safety of the players. Obviously, that's paramount for us. There was a large airbag underneath, but that also needs to be done by professionals."

"Squid Game: The Challenge" is now streaming on Netflix.

Advertisement