If you were a kid who grew up with the internet in the early 2000s, you’ve probably heard of Habbo Hotel. What was once an incredibly popular game with millions of players slowly fell into disuse over the years as the young teenagers who played it grew into adults and moved on with their lives.
The latest version of Habbo no longer offers the experience that older players remember, so there has long been a desire for a classic version of the game. And today, with the launch of Habbo Hotel Origins, that wish has finally become a reality.
Habbo Hotel Origins is an almost exact copy of the 2005 game, complete with nostalgic features like a console for messaging with friends, a wallet for game credits, and virtual hands to hold in-game items (aka furniture).
“After discovering an old decrepit server with some long-lost files at the beginning of this year, over the past six months or so long-time Habbo developer and player Macklebee has lovingly restored an old version of Habbo Hotel first released in 2005,” said Habbo, in a blog post announcing the launch of the game.
You will need a new account to play Habbo Hotel Origins. To sign up, go to the origins.habbo.com website, click the “Check-in” link on the left, download the Habbo client for macOS or Windows, and create your in-game account. Yes, that means you have another chance to get that rare username you missed as a kid. You’ve got your username iPod, so feel free to send me a friend request.
Once you’ve created your account, you can bring back classic public spaces like the Welcome Lounge, Habbo Lido, and Hallways. A number of guest rooms have already appeared, where players can share their memories of the game.
Just like in the good old days, Habbo Hotel Origins is only available for desktop computers. You must be at least 18 years old to sign up for this version of the game, whereas Habbo (usually) had a 13+ age limit, and 11+ in its early days. Many players begrudgingly admit that they are now in their 30s, so I guess this isn’t too much of a problem. It’s a new beginning for everyone, and the empty rooms are just waiting to be decorated with Plasto chairs and Yukka plants.