Back to the Arcade
Vrinda & Virat's Arcade

How to Play

Every game works on a laptop, and almost all of them work on a phone or tablet too.

1Getting started

1

Pick a game

Open the Arcade and press Play on any game, or try Surprise me!

2

Click the game once

Click anywhere inside the game so it can hear your keyboard. Then use the keys below.

3

Come back

Press the browser's Back button (or ⌘ + [ on a Mac, Alt + ← on Windows).

2Get the app

Put the Arcade on your home screen. It opens full screen like a real app, plays offline, and updates itself when new games are added. It's free, and you don't need an app store.

Android phone or tablet

  1. Open the Arcade in Chrome.
  2. Tap Get the app at the top of the Arcade, or tap ⋮ then Install app (some phones say Add to Home screen).
  3. Tap Install. The Arcade icon appears with your other apps.

iPhone or iPad

  1. Open the Arcade in Safari.
  2. Tap the Share button at the bottom (or top on iPad).
  3. Scroll down, tap Add to Home Screen, then Add.

Inside the app, tap ‹ Arcade at the top-left of a game to come back. Open the app once with internet so it can save every game for offline play.

3Keys most games use

←→Move · or A and D
↑↓Up, down, forward · or W and S
SpaceJump, shoot or go · also skips talking
EnterTalk or pick · continue a story
PEscPause or menu
ShiftSneak or power-up · in some games

Bigger screen: press Ctrl + ⌘ + F on a Mac or F11 on Windows for full screen. Press it again to go back.

4Controls for every game

Phone OKLaptop onlyNeeds internet

5Laptop-only games

These games need a real keyboard, so they won't work on a phone or tablet:

Stickfight Arena and Stickmen Fist Fight are 2-player games on one keyboard: one player uses the letter keys on the left, the other uses the arrow keys on the right.

6Something not working?

There's no sound
  • Click or tap the game once. Browsers keep games quiet until you touch them.
  • Look for a 🔊 or Sounds button in the corner of the game and make sure it's on.
  • On an iPhone, flip the silent switch on the side (or the Action button) so it's not on silent.
  • Turn up the volume on your laptop or phone.
The keys don't do anything
  • Click inside the game first. If you clicked the address bar or a text box, the game can't hear the keys.
  • Some games only start moving after you press their Start or Play button.
  • Check the controls for that game in the list above. Some use WASD, some use the arrows.
The game is stuck on "loading"
  • Games marked Needs internet (the 3D ones) download their 3D engine when they start, so check your Wi-Fi.
  • Refresh the page: ⌘ + R on a Mac, Ctrl + R on Windows, or pull down on a phone.
  • 3D games are the hardest work for a phone. If one is very slow, try it on a laptop.
I can't see the buttons on my phone
  • Turn your phone sideways, or scroll down a little. Some games put the pad under the game.
  • In a few games the buttons only appear once the level starts, or after you touch the screen.
  • If the game says Laptop only, it doesn't have phone buttons.
The game is too big or too small
  • On a laptop, zoom with ⌘ + / ⌘ − (Mac) or Ctrl + / Ctrl − (Windows). ⌘ 0 or Ctrl 0 resets it.
  • On a phone, turn it sideways and try again.
I can't see a new game
  • Your browser may be showing an old copy. Do a hard refresh: ⌘ + Shift + R on a Mac or Ctrl + Shift + R on Windows.
  • In the app, close it fully and open it again while you have internet.
How do I remove the app?
  • iPhone or iPad: press and hold the icon, tap Remove App, then Delete.
  • Android: press and hold the icon, then tap Uninstall (or drag it to Uninstall).
  • Laptop: open the app, click ⋮ at the top of its window, then Uninstall.