About Ping Pong
Ping pong is one of the oldest and simplest video games around: a table like a real table tennis table, a paddle at each end and a ball flying back and forth. Every time the ball gets past your rival's paddle you score a point, and the first player to reach 7 points wins the match.
The fun part is that it's not just about speed. Where the ball hits your paddle decides where it goes next. Hit it with the middle and it comes straight back; hit it with the end and it flies off at an angle that's much harder to return. The ball also speeds up a little with every hit, so long rallies get more and more exciting.
You can play alone against the computer, a sharp opponent that can still be beaten because it can't reach every fast ball. Or play a brother, sister or friend on the same computer, one on the arrow keys and one on W and S, or on a tablet or phone where each of you slides a finger on your own half of the screen.
How to play
- Choose “vs computer” to play alone, or “2 players” if someone is playing with you.
- Your yellow paddle is on the right. Move it up and down with the arrow keys, the mouse or your finger.
- The ball starts in the middle after a second. Put your paddle in front of it to send it back.
- If the ball gets past your rival you score a point; if it gets past you, they score.
- The first player to reach 7 points wins the match.
Controls
| Keyboard | Your paddle is the yellow one on the right of the table: move it with the Up and Down arrows. In 2-player mode the second player takes the red paddle on the left and uses W for up and S for down. |
|---|---|
| Mouse | Playing alone, move the mouse up and down over the table and the yellow paddle follows it. |
| Touch | Slide your finger up and down. In 2-player mode each player slides in their own half of the table: the right half for yellow and the left half for red, and you can both play at the same time. |
Tips to win
- Hit the ball with the end of your paddle to send it at an angle that's hard to catch.
- After every hit, move your paddle back towards the middle so you're close to wherever the ball goes.
- Watch the ball as it comes, not your paddle, and guess where it will bounce off the wall.
Ping Pong: questions and answers
How do two people play ping pong on one computer?
Choose “2 players”. The player on the right uses the ↑↓ arrow keys and the player on the left uses W and S. It works whatever language your keyboard is set to.
Can we play 2 players on a phone or tablet?
Yes, the game supports several fingers at once. Each player holds one side of the screen and slides a finger up and down in their own half.
Is the computer hard to beat?
Not too hard. It plays well, but it moves at a limited speed and takes a moment to see the ball. Once the ball gets fast or flies at a steep angle, it starts to miss.
What age is this ping pong game for?
It suits everyone from about 5 up, and adults enjoy it too. It builds focus, quick reactions and hand-eye coordination.