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Paddle Ball – the classic paddle game, vs computer or a friend

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Quick answer

Paddle Ball is a free paddle and ball arcade game that plays instantly in your browser on phones, tablets and computers, with no download, sign-up or ads. Get the ball past your opponent; first to 7 points wins.

Paddle Ball at a glance
What it isPaddle and ball arcade game
GoalGet the ball past your opponent; first to 7 points wins
ModesAgainst the computer (Easy, Medium, Unbeatable) or 2 players on one device
ControlsDrag on your half, move the mouse, or W/S and the arrow keys
Players1 against the computer, or 2 on one device
PriceFree, no ads, no sign-up, no download
Works onPhones, tablets and computers, in any modern browser

Arcade games compared

Arcade games compared
GameTypeModesControls
Maze ChomperMaze chase arcade gameEndless levels that speed up; 3 lives; bonus gemsArrow keys or WASD, swipe on the maze, or the on-screen pad
Alien InvadersFixed-shooter arcade gameEndless waves that start lower and faster; 3 livesArrow keys or A/D to move, Space to fire; on touch screens hold a finger on the game to move and fire automatically
Space RocksVector-style space shooterEndless waves; 3 lives, an extra life every 10,000 pointsArrows or WASD to turn and thrust, Space to fire, H for hyperspace; on-screen buttons on touch screens
River HopperRoad and river crossing arcade gameLevels that get faster; 3 lives; 30 seconds per crossingArrow keys or WASD, swipe, tap to hop forward, or the on-screen pad
Flappy WingOne-button endless flying gameEndless; medals at 10 (Bronze), 20 (Silver), 30 (Gold) and 40 (Platinum)Tap, click, Space or Up to flap
Ocean GrowEat-and-grow action gameLevels with more predators; 3 livesYour fish follows your finger or mouse; arrow keys or WASD also work
Color MemorySequence memory gameClassic (3 lives), Strict (one mistake ends it) and Speed (strict and faster each round)Tap or click the pads, or press 1-4 or the arrow keys
Paddle BallPaddle and ball arcade gameAgainst the computer (Easy, Medium, Unbeatable) or 2 players on one deviceDrag on your half, move the mouse, or W/S and the arrow keys
SnakeClassic snake arcade gameWalls or Wrap-around; Easy, Normal and Fast speedsArrow keys or WASD, swipe on the field, or the on-screen pad
Brick BreakerBall-and-paddle brick breaking arcade gameFive brick layouts that repeat faster; 3 lives; power-ups for a wider paddle, extra balls and extra livesDrag on the game or move the mouse; arrow keys or A/D; tap, click or Space to launch
Bubble ShooterBubble shooter arcade puzzleEndless levels with more rows and colours; a new row after several shots that pop nothing; next-bubble preview and swapDrag to aim and lift to shoot, or point and click; arrow keys aim, Space shoots, Down swaps

The original video game sport

Two paddles, one ball, and a simple goal: get the ball past your opponent. Paddle Ball keeps the rules everyone knows and adds what older versions lack: smooth play on any screen, touch controls, three computer levels and a two-player mode.

How to win rallies

  • Aim with the edges. The farther from the middle you hit, the steeper the return. A steep shot bounces off the walls and is harder to reach.
  • Return to the centre. After each hit, move back towards the middle so you can reach either corner.
  • Watch the speed. The ball gets faster with every hit, so long rallies reward early positioning more than quick reactions.
  • Play the angles against the computer. Easy and Medium can be beaten with steep shots; Unbeatable cannot, so try to keep the rally going as long as you can.

Retro sound, modern play

The bleeps are generated in your browser, with no audio files to download, and can be switched off. The game runs at your screen’s refresh rate and pauses automatically when you leave the tab.

How to play Paddle Ball

  1. 1

    Move your paddle

    Drag on your half of the court, move the mouse, or use W and S (or the arrow keys) to move your paddle.

  2. 2

    Return the ball

    Hit the ball back. Where it meets your paddle sets the angle; the edges send it away steeply.

  3. 3

    Score

    You score when the ball gets past your opponent's paddle. The ball speeds up a little with every hit.

  4. 4

    Win the game

    The first player to 7 points wins. Play the computer at three levels, or a friend on the same device.

More arcade games

  • Color Memory

    Watch the pads light up, then repeat the sequence. It grows by one every round.

  • Maze Chomper

    Eat every pellet in the maze while four Wisps with different hunting styles chase you.

  • Alien Invaders

    Blast the marching alien fleet before it lands, from behind four crumbling shields.

  • Space Rocks

    Turn, thrust and fire to break drifting rocks into ever-smaller pieces before they hit you.

  • River Hopper

    Hop across a busy road and a river of logs and turtles to fill all five burrows.

  • Flappy Wing

    One tap to flap. Fly through the gaps between stone columns and earn medals.

  • Ocean Grow

    Eat smaller fish to grow and steer clear of bigger ones. Fill the growth bar to level up.

  • Snake

    Steer the snake to the berries and grow without hitting yourself. Walls or Wrap, three speeds.

  • Brick Breaker

    Bounce the ball off your paddle and smash every brick. Power-ups and five layouts.

  • Bubble Shooter

    Aim and fire bubbles; match three of a colour to pop them and drop hanging clusters.

Frequently asked questions

How do I play on a phone?

Drag your finger on your side of the court and the paddle follows it. On a tall screen the court turns sideways so your paddle sits at the bottom. With two players, each player drags on their own half.

How hard are the computer levels?

Easy reacts slowly and chases the ball. Medium predicts where the ball will go but makes small mistakes. Unbeatable predicts perfectly and is fast enough never to miss, so the best you can do is keep the rally going.

What are the two-player controls?

On a keyboard, player 1 uses W and S and player 2 uses the up and down arrows. On a touch screen each player drags on their own half of the court.

How do I aim?

Hit the ball with the middle of the paddle for a flat return, or with the edge for a steep angle that bounces off the walls.

Can I pause?

Yes. Press Pause or the P key. The game also pauses by itself when you switch tabs.

Something calmer?

Mahjong Solitaire is the relaxing classic: match free pairs of tiles to clear the board, with six layouts and solvable deals.

Play Mahjong
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