About the game
Bounce is breakout — the lost arcade classic where a ball and a paddle take on a wall of bricks. You control a paddle along the bottom, keep the ball bouncing, and knock out every brick. Miss the ball three times and the rally is over.
What makes this version shine is how tight the physics feel. The paddle grips the ball at the exact spot it hits, the ball speeds up as the wall thins, and the power-ups time breathing room into the chaos. It's high-speed, high-satisfaction, and over in minutes — the perfect pocket arcade fix.
How to play
- Click inside the game, choose your level from the menu, and release the ball.
- Glide the paddle underneath the ball to keep it in play and steer it into the bricks.
- Smash every brick on the wall to clear the level — harder levels throw faster balls and tougher layouts.
- You get three lives. Losing all three ends the game.
Controls
| Move the paddle | Mouse, or ← and → arrow keys |
| Release the ball | Click, Enter, or Space |
| Pause | Click or P |
| Sound on / off | M |
| Touch screens | Move your finger, then tap to release |
Five aiming tips that will save your runs
1. Aim with the paddle edge, not the center
The ball leaves the paddle at an angle that mirrors the paddle's surface. Hitting with the paddle's edge sends the ball wide; the center sends it straight up. Choose your contact point deliberately.
2. Chase the ball down, then glide under it
Winning paddle play is patient. Drift under the ball with small corrections instead of lunging — a hovering paddle with fine nudges beats a frantic one.
3. Read the angle before you react
Every bounce off a wall or brick changes the ball's direction predictably. Don't chase the ball's current position — plant yourself where it's heading.
4. Mine the top corner when the wall is thin
With one brick left, bounce the ball softly up near the top corners so it scrubs back and forth while the last brick dies — that way you never race for a stray ball.
5. Let the speed-up work for you
Fast balls feel scary but cover the wall faster, ending levels quicker. Relax your mouse hand as the speed rises; overcorrecting sends the ball straight past the paddle.
Why you'll like it
It's the pure, loud satisfaction of breakout with none of the waiting. Rounds are short, the controls answer instantly, and the "one more level" pull is fierce. The best-known brick-breaker in browser form.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't the ball start moving?
It waits for you. Click, press Enter, or press Space to launch it, and make sure the game window has focus.
Can I use a gamepad?
Not in this version — but the mouse and arrow keys cover it, and touch screens work by dragging your finger.
Is my score saved?
Yes, locally on your device in your browser's storage.
Is this game free?
Yes. It's an open source (MIT) remake of breakout by Tomás Malbran, license included.
Game credit: Bounce by Tomás Malbran (github.com/TomMalbran/games), open source under the MIT license.