How to get better at browser games

Browser games look simple, but a few habits make a big difference. These are the ones that help in almost any game, from racing to puzzles.

Fix the technical stuff first

If a game feels laggy, the cause is usually your browser, not the game. Close other tabs, especially ones playing video, and try fullscreen. Many games run noticeably smoother in fullscreen because the browser has less to draw.

If a game still stutters, check whether hardware acceleration is turned on in your browser settings. It is on by default in most browsers, but extensions and old settings can switch it off.

Know your input

Most keyboard games use the arrow keys or WASD. If the game does not respond, click once inside the game window. Browsers send keys to the page you last clicked, and a game inside a page often needs that click first.

On a touch screen, play in the orientation the game is designed for. Some games are made for portrait and some for landscape, and rotating your phone can fix a squashed picture.

Practice the right way

Play slowly at first. Speed comes from accuracy, not the other way around. If you are replaying a level, change one thing per attempt so you can tell what worked.

Take breaks. Reflex games in particular get worse, not better, after a long streak of failures. A five-minute pause usually helps more than another ten attempts.

Saving your progress

Most browser games save progress in your browser's storage, not on a server. That means clearing your site data, or playing in a private window, will erase it. If you care about a save, play in a normal window and avoid clearing cookies for the site.

Looking for something to practice on? Our guide to reflex and skill games has a good set of starting points.