How to play the endless runner
- Tap the track (or press the space bar) to start: the runner moves forward on its own, faster and faster.
- Tap to jump over low cacti. If the cactus is tall, keep your finger down until you clear it: the longer you hold, the higher the jump.
- Low birds are dodged by ducking (swipe down, use the button or the down arrow); high birds fly over your head if you don't jump.
- Hitting any obstacle ends the run. Your score is the distance covered, and your best mark is saved on this device.
Tips for running farther
The secret is to look far ahead, not close up: keep your eyes on the obstacle that is coming, not on your runner. The window for jumping is quite generous, so there is no need to rush; jumping a moment early usually works better than jumping late. The game is built so that there is always time to land and jump again between one obstacle and the next, even at top speed.
Learn to tell the four kinds of obstacles apart. The low cactus and the double one are cleared with a short tap; the tall cactus requires holding down; the middle bird is dodged by ducking (or with a high jump) and the high bird needs no action at all: jumping right then is a classic mistake. If you are in the air and see something low coming, ducking speeds up your fall and leaves you ready for the next jump.
The first few hundred points only bring small cacti, so they are for getting into rhythm. New obstacles appear as your score goes up, the track speeds up to a cap and every so often it switches between day and night. Everything is calculated in your browser and only your best score is saved.
Things to keep in mind
- Your best score is saved only in this browser: if you clear the site data, it is lost. Your score is not sent or recorded.
- On a phone, tapping or swiping on the track does not scroll the page; to scroll the page, tap outside the track.
- The game pauses by itself when you switch tabs or apps; you resume with the Resume button or by tapping the track.
Frequently asked questions
How do I jump higher?
By holding down: with a short tap the jump is low and enough for small cacti; if you keep pressing while you rise, the runner goes higher, which is what you need for tall cacti.
How do I duck on a phone?
Swipe your finger down on the track, or hold the Duck button that appears below it. On a computer, use the down arrow or the S key.
Can I lose through no fault of mine, to an impossible obstacle?
No: the distance between obstacles grows with speed and the size of each one is capped, so you can always get past with the right jump or duck.
Why does the high bird hit me when I jump?
Because it flies at jump height. A standing runner passes underneath with no trouble: don't jump or duck for birds that fly high.
Is my best score saved?
Yes, in this browser and only for you. It is not sent to any server and your score is not recorded.
How do I pause the game?
With the Pause button or the P key. It also pauses by itself if you switch tabs or the window loses focus.