Pong free in browser: the classic paddle game against CPU
Pong joins Arcade Lab
Arcade Lab welcomes one of the most iconic games in video game history: Pong. Play free in your browser — no download, no account needed.
Born in the 1970s, Pong was the first commercially successful video game. Its formula has remained unchanged for over half a century: two paddles, one ball, one rule. Simple to learn, satisfying to master.
How to play
The rules are as simple as it gets:
- You control the gold paddle on the left
- The CPU controls the red paddle on the right
- Return the ball to the other side without letting it past you
- First to reach 7 points wins the match
- After each point the ball resets to center with a brief pause
Controls
Desktop: move your mouse over the play field — the paddle follows your cursor in real time. Alternatively, use the ↑ and ↓ arrow keys.
Mobile and tablet: drag your finger up or down on the screen. The paddle responds to touch with precision.
Ball physics
Every hit on a paddle slightly speeds the ball up: it starts slow and gets progressively faster as the rally continues.
The exit angle depends on where the ball hits the paddle: center hits go straight (good for control), edge hits create sharp angles (ideal for catching the CPU off guard).
How to beat the CPU
The CPU moves at a calibrated speed — challenging but beatable. In early exchanges it's relatively slow, so take advantage by pushing the ball to the corners. In longer rallies it speeds up, so winning points requires quick directional changes and sharp angles.
All Arcade Lab games
Pong joins a growing collection of free browser classics:
- Snake — eat, grow, survive
- Tetris — stack pieces, clear lines
- Breakout — shatter brick walls with your paddle
- Space Invaders — defend Earth from alien waves
- Pac Maze — neon maze, power pellets, roaming ghosts
- Bubble Shooter — aim, fire, match 3 bubbles
- Pong — classic 1v1 duel against the CPU
Head to saloneylab.com/arcade — no signup, no tracking cookies, just pure arcade.