Play Pong
The original video game, and still a fair fight.
Points
0
Best
—
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Controls
- Move the mouse to steer
- Up / Down or W and S
- First to eleven wins
About Pong
Pong was released in 1972 and is, for practical purposes, where the commercial video game industry starts. Two paddles, a ball and a score — no instructions were printed on the cabinet beyond a single line telling you to avoid missing the ball for a high score.
The mechanic that gives it depth is the angled return. The paddle is not a wall: the point of contact changes the outgoing angle, so a paddle is an aiming device and a rally is a conversation about position. Hitting the ball with the paddle's edge is the whole offensive game.
The computer opponent here tracks the ball with a capped movement speed and drifts back to the centre when the ball is travelling away from it, which is roughly what a decent human does. It gets slightly faster as the score climbs so a blowout is unlikely in either direction.
Ball speed rises with every rally and resets at each serve, so long exchanges get genuinely tense. First to eleven.
Tips for a higher score
- Hit the ball with the edge of your paddle to send it away at a sharp angle — the computer covers straight returns easily.
- Return to the middle after every shot. It halves the distance to wherever the ball comes back.
- Watch the ball, not the opponent's paddle. Their position tells you nothing you can use.
- Long rallies favour whoever stays calm — the ball speeds up for both of you.
- The computer drifts to the centre when the ball is moving away. A wide return catches it out of position.
Frequently asked questions
How do I control my paddle?
Move your mouse over the play area, or use the up and down arrow keys. The mouse is more precise.
How is the angle decided?
By where on your paddle the ball lands. The centre returns it flat; the edges send it away steeply.
Does the ball get faster?
Yes, a little with every hit in a rally. It resets when a point is scored.
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