Paddle Duel
Paddle Duel is a two-paddle tennis match against the computer on a dark, neon-lit court. You run the left paddle, the computer runs the right, and first to 10 points takes the match.
Each return speeds the ball up, so calm rallies can turn wild in seconds. A curved old-TV filter, flashing colors and sparks on every hit give it a lively feel. Frank Force made it for his LittleJS Arcade, and it works with keys, a mouse, a controller or a finger, so you can pick whatever feels steadiest.
How to play Paddle Duel
Choose Play. Your serve goes out when you press Space, click the court or tap the screen. The ball rebounds off the top and bottom walls. If it slips past a paddle and out the side, the opponent scores, and the next serve goes toward the player who just gave up the point.
Contact position controls the return. Center hits fly back almost level, and hits near the tips go out at a sharp angle. If your paddle is moving at the moment of contact, the ball picks up spin and curves in the air.
Your rival paddle is a touch slower than yours. It decides where to send each return with a bit of random error and only sometimes reads your curve. When someone reaches 10, the winner is announced and one more press begins a new match.
Controls
| Action | Keyboard | Mouse | Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move paddle | Up/Down arrows or W/S | Move the pointer up and down | Drag up and down |
| Serve | Space | Click | Tap |
| Reset the score | R | — | — |
| Pause menu | Escape | Menu icon | Menu icon |
Tips
- Strike with the ends of your paddle. Steep returns bounce off the walls and are harder for the computer to read.
- Keep moving through contact to add curve. A bending ball can send the computer the wrong way.
- Your paddle is quicker than the computer's, so send the ball wide and make it travel.
- Slide back toward the middle after each return so either wall is within reach. Chasing from a far corner is how most points slip away.
- At top speed, when the court glows red, use small moves and let the ball come to you.
If you like Paddle Duel, try these
Brick SmashThe paddle and bouncing ball return, aimed at walls of bricks and framed power-ups instead of a rival.
Penalty Kick ShowdownHead-to-head sports duels continue in this pixel soccer shootout where you switch between striker and keeper.
Questions
Why does the ball in Paddle Duel keep getting faster?
Every paddle hit adds speed up to a fixed cap. When it gets close, the court tints red and the screen shakes as a warning. A new serve resets the pace.
Can I turn off the old-TV screen effect?
Yes. The curved screen look with scanlines can be switched off in the Options menu if you prefer a flat picture.
Can I play Paddle Duel on a phone held upright?
It asks you to rotate, because it only plays in landscape. Turned sideways, the phone lets you slide a fingertip up and down for the paddle and tap anywhere to put the ball in play.
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