Putt-Putt Joins the Parade is not only the first game in the Putt-Putt series, but the first game ever released by Humongous Entertainment. This "Junior Adventure" aimed at young children has fairly low stakes — you help Putt-Putt the car join a local parade — but was a stepping stone for the developer's later, somewhat more sophisticated titles.

Putt-Putt, a purple talking car, wakes up one and learns from his radio that a parade will be happening. Wishing to join, he goes to see Smokey the Fire Engine, who tells him in order to join, he'll need a pet, a balloon, and enough coins to get either a car wash or a new paint job.