About the game
Paddle-and-ball games are where video games began: two paddles, one ball, and a duel of reflexes. This version, Paddle Duel, keeps the retro pixel look and adds the two things that make table tennis endlessly replayable — a three-level AI opponent for solo training, and a same-device 2 Players mode built for settling scores with a friend on a single keyboard or one phone screen.
Matches are first to 7 points. The ball picks up speed with every paddle hit during a rally, so long exchanges turn into genuine nail-biters, and where the ball strikes your paddle decides its rebound angle. A moving paddle even drags the ball with a touch of spin. When either side reaches 6 points, the match point banner starts flashing — that is when hands get sweaty.
How to play
- vs AI: move your paddle with the W/S keys, the mouse, or by dragging on a touch screen. Choose Easy, Medium or Hard before serving.
- 2 Players (same keyboard): Player 1 moves the left paddle with W/S; Player 2 moves the right paddle with the ↑/↓ arrow keys.
- 2 Players on mobile: each player touches and drags their own half of the screen.
- Tap the screen or press Space to start a match. The Pause button stops play at any time.
Rules
- The first side to score 7 points wins the match.
- If the ball passes your paddle and leaves your side of the screen, your opponent scores; the player who conceded receives the next serve.
- The ball speeds up slightly on every paddle hit within a rally, and resets to base speed at each new point.
- The rebound angle depends on where the ball meets your paddle — near the edge sends it out at a sharp angle, and a paddle in motion adds spin to the shot.
- In vs AI mode, winning matches builds a per-difficulty win streak; your longest streak ever is saved as your best record.
Strategy & tips
Aim with the edges, defend with the center
A ball taken near the paddle's center returns flat and easy to read. Catching it deliberately near the top or bottom edge fires it out at up to 60 degrees — the single most important attacking tool. When you are scrambling, though, get the center of your paddle behind the ball first and stay safe.
Use spin to bend the duel
Sliding your paddle while it contacts the ball drags the shot in the direction you were moving. A late flick as you strike makes the return noticeably steeper than the incoming angle, which is the cleanest way to wrong-foot both the Hard AI and a human rival who has settled into a rhythm.
Beat each AI differently
Easy only chases the ball's current position, so a sharp change of angle leaves it stranded. Medium predicts with some error — win by forcing fast rallies where small errors compound. Hard predicts wall bounces almost perfectly, so patient play loses; you need edge hits plus spin to create angles it cannot reach in time.
In 2P, own the long rally
Because the ball accelerates every hit, the player who stays calm at high speed wins the point. Park your paddle at center right after your shot instead of admiring it, and save your steep-angle attacks for when the rally is already fast — at top speed even a modest angle is unreturnable.
FAQ
How do two players play on one keyboard?
Pick 2 Players mode. Player 1 controls the left paddle with the W and S keys; Player 2 controls the right paddle with the Up and Down arrow keys. On a phone or tablet each player simply drags their own half of the screen.
How do the AI difficulty levels differ?
Easy reacts slowly and only chases the ball's current position. Medium reacts faster and predicts where the ball will land with some error. Hard reacts almost instantly and predicts wall bounces precisely, so you need sharp angles and spin to beat it.
What does the Best number mean?
It is your longest streak of consecutive match wins against the AI. Each difficulty keeps its own current streak, and the Best shown is the highest streak you have ever reached. Losing a match resets that difficulty's streak to zero. Records are stored in your browser's local storage.
Why does the ball keep getting faster?
The ball gains a little speed on every paddle hit during a rally, so long exchanges become progressively more tense. The speed resets to base at the start of each point.
