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Addictive one-button platformer of the week: Canabalt photo

I'm not entirely sure why, but I've been replaying Canabalt, a free, browser-based platformer, at least once every two days since it came out.

Perhaps I long to luxuriate in the luscious pixel art. Perhaps I'm desperate to beat my own high scores. Perhaps I'm just in love with the game's pacing (an average playthrough will only last about ten seconds, leaving you ready to try over and over). 

The premise is pretty simple: run as far as you can across rooftops and through skyscrapers, using only the X key to jump. Hold it for a high jump, tap it for a short jump. Pretty much what you'd expect, really, save for the fact that you probably won't expect to play over and over and over, even after you've already seen all of the randomized obstacles the game will throw at you. 

You can play it here for free, or wait for it to come out on the iPhone later this month.


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56 comments | showing # 1 to 50

phantomile's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:26
phantomile
Wow this is fun.

Come on, Rev; tell us your High Score.
Stevil's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:27
Stevil
I love the music when it kicks in. Apparently, if you survive long enough the tripod appears behind you; but I can only reach about 2500 meters.

I like the way that you have to decide when to run into boxes to slow you down and when to jump over them to maintain a jumping distance. The only thing that kills the enjoyment is probably when you have to jump through the windows. It's really unfair since you have to jump at an exact spot and you don't have a warning sound like the bombs.

It is addictive though, I'll give you that.
DaedHead8's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:32
DaedHead8
I got 1291 meters on my first run, not bad, I think.
Intruder's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:33
Intruder
Damn, this is fun. I love pixel art to death.
Diverse's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:34
Diverse
Been playing this off an on since it was released. I'm a huge fan of Adam Atomic's works. Loved the scenery and graphics for Canabalt, and the 5-minute looping track suits everything perfectly. I was hoping for this game to have a proper ending, maybe in a future iteration.
phantomile's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:34
phantomile
Well I'm giving up for now. I think 3616 is good.
I've got to tell more people about this.
Diverse's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:36
Diverse
Also, protip: Use the boxes and other objects blocking your path to your advantage. It's best to keep your speed somewhere in the middle, going to slow or to fast will just hinder your progress. The objects will help decrease your speed when you run into them.
T-rav's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:37
T-rav
I hit 3,749 meters before hitting a wall and tumbling to my death. Definitely good stuff.
spot the spy's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:37
spot the spy
I was on a ArmorGames.com clicked on this game, and then refreshed destructoid and it was this story. It freaked me out.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:37
Holyetheline
My best score so far is 2456. This is pretty fun! Thanks.
silvain's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:38
silvain
I like this game quite a bit. I think the idea that your daring escape will never end with you alive is an interesting one, indeed.
Droll's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:38
Droll
It's basically the same one-button platforming found in "Klungo Saves The World", the amazing and totally brutal platformer minigame you can play in Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts. Though it's definitely faster and it's got a good song......but it's still not as awesome as KSTW.
Also, Nuts and Bolts is a totally amazing game. Just putting that out there.
Electrium's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:39
Electrium
Wow, so simplistic, yet so entertaining. I love it.
Los255's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:40
Los255
Love the art and animation.

The only thing I hate, is trying to jump through the windows and I end up jumping a little too high.
Icarus-Rising's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:49
Icarus-Rising
I played this on Armor Games last night, pretty cool!
Just played it again, 3122m!

It's crazy how fun tapping X is. I LOVE all the stuff going on in the background.
Icarus-Rising's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:49
Icarus-Rising
Which reminds me; I wish there was some kind of auto-pilot mode so you could just watch the scenery.
Kvb's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:53
Kvb
I really love how this game handles speed.
Hit boxes to slow down, so that you can react to upcoming obstacles. But slow down too much, and you won't be able to jump the longer gaps.

Fun stuff.
Scion of Mogo's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:57
Scion of Mogo
man 2171. gonna play again. that was crack.
taumpytears's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 18:58
taumpytears
It really reminds me of City Connection on the NES.
Tubatic's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 19:00
Tubatic
Wow. That's really good.
Anthony Burch's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 19:02
Anthony Burch
6053. I long to get the tripod to chase me.
Scion of Mogo's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 19:08
Scion of Mogo
3275 DAMN YOU ANTHONY! I CAN'T STOP! stupid bombs are the only thing that kill me now. that and wierdly placed windows....
phantomile's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 19:08
phantomile
Dammit now I have to keep playing.
Scion of Mogo's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 19:11
Scion of Mogo
3397. damn you lower windows
liam12360's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 19:27
liam12360
Wow, this is really fun.
CaptainApocalypse's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 19:41
CaptainApocalypse
Hell yes. This game wins. Also, I want this on my iPhone like yesterday.
king kong five's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 19:43
king kong five
354m on my first run. :(
Is it really necessary to jump over the smaller obstacles like the chairs and crates? The guy just keeps running after hitting them.
king kong five's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 19:44
king kong five
Buhhhh never mind my question. I didn't read the comments before posting mine and now I look like a stupid asshole who doesn't read the comments before posting his.
Scion of Mogo's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 20:02
Scion of Mogo
Woo 4296, I want a leaderboard.....although that might make it too addicting
HeavyD's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 20:21
HeavyD
7146, noice!
Xhumation's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 20:35
Xhumation
Game's awesome, been playing it for a couple of days.
ace of knaves's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 20:49
ace of knaves
Ugh, this is like fun heroine.
Scion of Mogo's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 21:19
Scion of Mogo
I can't stop. 6853
Cadtalfryn's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 21:36
Cadtalfryn
That was a fun way to spend 30 minutes. I'm sure I'll be back for more soon.
Steel Brotha's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 21:41
Steel Brotha
why play it on the iPhone? if it ain't free then i'll just play on my laptop.
Dan CiTi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 21:56
Dan CiTi
I just bought Levers on my iPod touch(which is fantastic) the other day and might get Acrobots too, this seems like something I will plan on purchasing too. Between this and Levers, Rolando and Space Invaders Infinity Gene as well as even things like Passage to Crystal Defenders the iPhone/iPod touch has become reasonably solid albeit "simpler" gaming platform. Hell, I might even get that RE4 game.
JynxShot's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 21:56
JynxShot
This is fucking awesome.
dannyBstyle's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 22:46
dannyBstyle
hey guys,

I'm danny, i'm the guy who did the music for Canabalt.

I just gotta say, i've been a destructoid reader for a while now, and I am blown away that you guys posted the game!!! thank you so much! I am very happy that this game is getting such good reception, we are very proud of it. It's gonna be awesome on iPhone.

so, yea, awkward i know.... but thanks again for the love!!

-danny
Anthony Burch's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 22:48
Anthony Burch
12383. I NEED THE TRIPOD

dannyBstyle:
Your music is good.
Scion of Mogo's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 23:10
Scion of Mogo
8673. I'm getting close Anthony. You will be destroyereded
NihonTiger90's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 23:12
NihonTiger90
This game is serious amounts of fun. The premise is so simple, yet everything around it just makes it so complete.

Oh, and 2,544. I need more practice.
Scion of Mogo's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/08/2009 23:14
Scion of Mogo
I wonder What tall fat Blackthony is scoring right now?
Solid Squirrel's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/09/2009 00:18
Solid Squirrel
I'm averaging about 900+meters each playthrough. So far, 3242. Stupid bombs!

And Danny B, those beats are wicked and all so-appropriate for this game.
SadCheese's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/09/2009 00:22
SadCheese
simplistic, yet awesome. 3182m so far
Los255's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/09/2009 00:36
Los255
CAN I HAVE A HUG DANNY?
Fyodoror's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/09/2009 04:24
Fyodoror
I've only once gotten past the low windows, so everytime they come up, i'm dead. :(

But it's still an enjoyable game.
eggdog14's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/09/2009 04:56
eggdog14
He's a pretty speedy dude...
Vimto's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/09/2009 06:41
Vimto
at first I thought this was ants "runner" verion 2 sort of a HD remix.
welkstar's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/09/2009 10:06
welkstar
Awesome little game, but it makes my eyes go all wonky after awhile o_O
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