Paddle Pong is a free online version of the classic Pong game. It runs in your browser with no download or sign up, works on phones and computers, and keeps working offline once the page has loaded. Play one player against the computer, or two players on the same device.
Inspired by: Pong, the 1972 arcade game from Atari.
How to play Paddle Pong
- Choose 1 player to face the computer, or 2 players to share the screen.
- Move your paddle up and down to bounce the ball back.
- Hit the ball with the edge of your paddle to send it at a sharper angle.
- The ball speeds up a little with every return, so long rallies get exciting.
- Miss the ball and your opponent scores a point.
- The first player to reach 7 points wins the match.
Controls
- Keyboard: 1 player: W and S or the Up and Down arrows. 2 players: W and S for the left paddle, Up and Down arrows for the right paddle.
- Mouse: In 1 player mode, move the mouse up and down to steer your paddle.
- Touch screen: Drag your finger up and down. In 2 player mode each half of the screen controls its own paddle.
Tips to score higher
- Stay near the middle and move only when the ball is on its way.
- Use the paddle edge to change the angle and make the ball hard to reach.
- Watch where the ball bounces off the top and bottom walls.
- In 2 player mode, agree who plays on which side before the first serve.
- Do not chase the ball too early. Wait and follow its path.
The story behind Paddle Pong
Pong was released by Atari in 1972 and is one of the first video games that people played in public. It was designed by Allan Alcorn as a training exercise, and the simple tennis idea of two bats and a ball turned out to be a hit in bars and arcades. The same year, the Magnavox Odyssey also offered a table tennis game at home. Many people in India first met Pong on a small black and white TV console or a tiny handheld, and the bleep of the ball is still easy to recognise.
Questions players ask
Is Paddle Pong free to play?
Yes. It is free with no sign up and no download.
Can two people play on one device?
Yes. Pick 2 players. One uses W and S, the other uses the Up and Down arrows. On a touch screen each person drags on their own half.
How do I win?
Be the first to score 7 points.
Is the computer too hard?
It can be beaten. It makes small mistakes, especially in long rallies when the ball is fast.
Does it work offline?
Yes. Once the page has loaded it plays without internet.