About the game
Pong is the original video game — two paddles, one ball, and a centre line. You control a paddle on the left side of the screen and try to bounce the ball past your opponent. First to 11 points wins. This version supports both single-player (against the computer) and local two-player on the same keyboard.
Released by Atari in 1972, Pong essentially invented the video game industry. This faithful recreation keeps the clean black-and-white aesthetic and simple physics that made the original a cultural icon. No tutorials needed — you already know how to play.
How to play
- The ball launches automatically. Move your paddle to intercept it.
- When the ball hits your paddle, it bounces back. When it passes a paddle, the other side scores a point.
- The ball speeds up slightly with each rally. First to 11 points wins the match.
- In two-player mode, one player uses W/S and the other uses ↑/↓.
Controls
| Move paddle (1P) | W (up) / S (down) |
| Move paddle (2P left) | W (up) / S (down) |
| Move paddle (2P right) | ↑ (up) / ↓ (down) |
| Start | Space or click |
Five beginner tips
1. Aim for the edges
Hitting the ball with the edge of your paddle angles it more, making it harder for the opponent to return.
2. Don't chase the ball
Move to where the ball will be, not where it is. Stay slightly ahead of the angle.
3. Control the centre
Returning to the centre of the paddle between hits gives you the most reaction range.
4. Watch the speed
The ball accelerates on each hit. At high speeds, smaller movements are better than big lunges.
5. Two-player is the real game
Pong against a human is a completely different experience from Pong against the computer. Grab a friend.
Why you'll like it
Pong is the purest competitive game ever made. There is no luck, no random drops, no hidden mechanics — just reading angles and reacting. It is proof that the simplest games are often the most replayable.
Frequently asked questions
Can two people play on one keyboard?
Yes. Player 1 uses W/S and Player 2 uses ↑/↓.
What does the dashed centre line do?
Nothing — it is purely decorative, just like the original.
Is this the original Atari Pong?
This is an open-source recreation under the GPL-3.0 licence, faithful to the original gameplay.
Game credit: Open-source Pong implementation. GPL-3.0 licence.