Two paddles, one ball and a scoreboard: one of the oldest video game ideas still works. Paddle Duel unblocked puts you on the left side of a dark, glowing court against a computer opponent, and the first to 10 points takes the match.
Frank Force made it for his open-source LittleJS Arcade and gave it a curved old-TV screen, sparks on every hit and a court that flashes red when rallies heat up.
How to play Paddle Duel
Serve to start a rally. The ball rebounds off the upper and lower edges, and if it slips past a paddle, the other side scores. After each point, the next serve heads toward the player who just lost it.
Where you hit the ball matters. Contact near the center of your paddle sends it back almost flat, while a hit near the tip sends it out at a sharp angle. Every return speeds the ball up a little until it reaches a top speed.
If your paddle is moving when it meets the ball, the ball picks up spin and curves in the air. The computer reacts a bit slower than you and doesn't always read the curve, which is your main way to beat it.
Controls
| To… | Keyboard | Mouse | Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move your paddle (left side) | Up and down arrows, or W and S | Move the pointer up or down | Drag a finger up or down |
| Serve the ball | Space | Click | Tap the screen |
| Reset the score to 0-0 | R | — | — |
| Pause, restart or quit | Escape | Click the menu icon in the top corner | Tap the menu icon in the top corner |
Tips
- Hit with the tips. Sharp angles bounce the ball off the walls, and the computer has a harder time tracking them.
- Swing as you hit. A moving paddle adds curve, and a bending ball can send the computer the wrong way.
- Recenter after every return. Sliding back to the middle keeps both corners in reach.
- Go wide. You move faster than the computer, so shots to the far edge pay off more than safe returns.
- Stay calm when it turns red. At top speed, make small moves and let the ball come to you.
Paddle Duel questions
Is there a two-player mode?
No. You always play the left paddle against the computer. The title screen does show a computer-versus-computer match running in the background.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes, in landscape. Hold the phone sideways, slide your finger vertically to steer the paddle, and tap the screen to serve.
Can I turn off the old-TV effect?
Yes. The curved screen and scanlines can be switched off in the Options menu if you prefer a clean picture.
