One of the best things about HTML5 games is that the same game runs on a phone, a tablet and a computer. Each device plays a little differently, though. These tips will help you get the smoothest experience whichever screen you use.
Quick start: the three things that matter most
If you only remember three things from this guide, make it these. First, keep your browser up to date, because that fixes most problems before they happen. Second, use full screen, which gives you more space, hides distractions and stops accidental scrolling. Third, check the controls on the game page before you start, so you are not guessing which key jumps while the first obstacle arrives.
Playing on a computer
Keyboard controls
Most action, racing and platform games use one of two common layouts:
- Arrow keys to move or steer, often with Space to jump or shoot.
- W, A, S, D as an alternative to the arrows, which leaves your other hand free for the mouse.
Many games also use P or Esc to pause. Each game page on Pikashowsgames lists its controls, so check there before you start.
Mouse controls
Puzzle, board and aiming games usually use the mouse: click to select, drag to aim and release to shoot. A mouse is far more precise than a laptop touchpad for games such as pool or bubble shooters.
Click inside the game first
If your key presses do nothing, click once inside the game area. The browser sends keyboard input to whichever part of the page was clicked last.
Playing on a phone or tablet
Rotate when the game asks you to
Driving and platform games are usually designed for landscape, while puzzles and tower games often suit portrait. If buttons look squashed, try rotating your device.
Use full screen
The full-screen button on the game page hides the browser's address bar, which gives you more room and stops accidental scrolling while you play.
Touch controls
- Tap games such as Core Ball are ideal on phones.
- Swipe games read the direction of your finger, so make clear, quick swipes rather than slow drags.
- On-screen buttons in driving games work best when you rest your thumbs lightly on them instead of tapping repeatedly.
Playing with a game controller
Many people do not realise that a lot of browser games work with a normal game controller. Browsers support a feature called the Gamepad API, and many racing, platform and action games use it.
- Connect the controller with a USB cable, or pair it with your computer or phone over Bluetooth, the same way you would pair headphones.
- Open the game and wait for it to load.
- Press any button on the controller. Browsers only reveal a controller to a page after you press a button, for privacy reasons.
- Check the game's settings or controls screen to see which buttons do what.
Xbox controllers and PlayStation DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers work in most modern browsers. If a game does not respond to the controller at all, it simply may not support one, and you can switch back to the keyboard or touch controls.
Tablets, Chromebooks and other screens
Tablets
Tablets are excellent for browser games. The larger screen makes on-screen buttons easier to hit, and most games scale up neatly. Landscape works best for driving games, and portrait is often better for puzzles. If you have a keyboard case, many games will accept keyboard controls too.
Chromebooks
Chromebooks run Chrome, so they handle HTML5 games well. Many have touch screens, which means you can choose between the keyboard and tapping. Basic Chromebooks have modest graphics chips, so 2D games run best; for 3D games, lower the quality setting in the game's menu if one is available.
Smart TVs and consoles
Some smart TVs and games consoles include a web browser. Simple games may work, but TV browsers are often slow and controlling a game with a TV remote is awkward. A phone, tablet or computer will give you a much better experience.
Handy keyboard shortcuts
| Key | What it usually does |
|---|---|
| Arrow keys or WASD | Move, steer or aim |
| Space | Jump, shoot, fly up or start |
| Shift | Boost, nitro or run |
| P or Esc | Pause the game |
| F11 (Windows) or Ctrl + Cmd + F (Mac) | Make the browser full screen |
| Ctrl + 0 or Cmd + 0 | Reset the page zoom to 100% if the game looks cut off |
| F5 or Cmd + R | Reload the page if a game freezes |
The exact keys vary from game to game, so always check the controls listed on the game page.
Add a game to your home screen
If you play a game often, you can put it on your phone's home screen so it opens with one tap, just like an app, without using any storage for an installation.
- Android (Chrome): open the game page, tap the three-dot menu and choose Add to home screen.
- iPhone and iPad (Safari): open the game page, tap the Share button and choose Add to Home Screen.
The shortcut simply opens the page in your browser, so your saved progress stays exactly where it was.
Performance tips for both
- Close other tabs, especially video sites, which use a lot of memory.
- Keep your browser updated, because each update improves game performance.
- On laptops, plug in the charger. Many laptops slow the graphics down on battery power.
- If a 3D game stutters, look for a quality or graphics setting in the game's menu and choose a lower option.
Sound settings for better play
Sound is more useful in games than many people think. In driving and runner games, audio cues often warn you about what is coming before you see it. Use headphones in noisy places, and if you play somewhere quiet, most games have separate music and sound effect controls, so you can turn the music off and keep the useful effects.
Notifications and interruptions
Few things are more annoying than a notification popping up just as you reach a new high score. Before a longer session, turn on Do Not Disturb or a focus mode on your phone, which silences most notifications. On a computer, close chat apps or mute them for an hour. If a game supports pausing, press P or Esc before you answer a message, so you can pick up exactly where you left off.
Saving battery on mobile
- Lower the screen brightness a little; the screen uses the most power.
- Turn down the game sound or use headphones.
- Avoid playing 3D games while the phone is charging and already warm.
How much mobile data do browser games use?
Most 2D browser games are only a few megabytes, roughly the size of a handful of photos. Larger 3D games can be bigger. The important thing to know is that the first visit uses the most data: after that the browser keeps the files in its cache, so playing the same game again uses very little. If your data allowance is small, load new games on Wi-Fi and replay them on mobile data. Adverts and new levels may still need a small amount of data while you play.
Comfort and accessibility tips
A few small adjustments can make games much more comfortable, especially during longer sessions.
- Follow the 20-20-20 habit: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet (6 metres) away for 20 seconds. It is a simple way to give your eyes a break.
- Adjust the brightness: a screen much brighter than the room around it is tiring. Night or dark mode on your device can also help in the evening.
- Use the zoom: if text inside a game is too small, full screen usually makes everything bigger. Browser zoom can also help on computers, but reset it to 100% if the game gets cut off.
- Turn on sound cues or subtitles where a game offers them, and use headphones if you find it hard to hear effects.
- One-handed play: tap-only games such as Core Ball, Jet Dash and Zigzag Drift Master can be played comfortably with one hand on a phone.
- Sit comfortably: on a computer, keep the screen at about eye level and your wrists relaxed. On a phone, hold it at chest height rather than looking down for long periods.
Best game types for each device
| Game type | Phone | Tablet | Computer |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-tap timing games | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Puzzles and board games | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Driving and racing | Good (landscape) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Aiming and pool games | Fair | Good | Excellent (mouse) |
| Two-player games on one device | Fair | Good | Excellent (shared keyboard) |
Your progress stays on each device
Most browser games save your progress in the browser you are using. A game you started on your phone will not remember your levels when you open it on your laptop, so pick a favourite device for longer games.
Playing two-player games on one device
Several games on our site let two people play on the same screen, which is a great way to enjoy games with a friend or family member without any online accounts.
- On a computer, two players share the keyboard. One player usually uses WASD and the other the arrow keys, so sit side by side and agree who is who before the match starts. Games such as Head Soccer Clash and Chess work very well like this.
- On a tablet, turn-based games such as chess, tic-tac-toe and pool are ideal, because you can simply pass the device or sit on either side of it.
- On a phone, the screen is small for two players at once, so stick to turn-based games.
If both players want to use a controller, connect two controllers to a computer; some games support this, while others only read the first controller.
Keeping things smooth on older devices
An older phone or laptop can still be a great gaming device if you choose well. 2D games such as puzzles, board games and one-button arcade games need very little power. For 3D games, look for a quality setting and choose the lowest option, close every other tab and app, and restart the browser before a longer session. If a game is still too slow, it is better to pick a lighter game than to struggle with a stuttering one. You will find plenty of lightweight options in our Puzzle and Arcade categories.
Which games suit which device?
- Great on phones: quick tap and swipe games such as Core Ball and Robo Rope.
- Great on computers: games that need precise aiming or several keys, such as Neon Billiards Pool and Chess.
- Good on both: driving games such as Night Parking Master, which have keyboard and on-screen controls.
Having trouble with a particular game? See our step-by-step fix guide.