🎮 Learn JavaScript by Building 20 Simple Games
A hands-on guide to core JavaScript concepts—through play
The fastest way to really learn JavaScript isn’t memorizing syntax.
It’s building small, interactive games that force you to think about logic, timing, state, and user interaction.
That’s why I created a GitHub-ready collection of 20 simple JavaScript games, each built with plain HTML, CSS, and JavaScript—no frameworks, no setup friction.
👉 Explore all 20 games on GitHub:
https://github.com/lsvekis/JavaScript-Games
Each game is a standalone index.html file you can open directly in your browser.
Below is a guided tour of all 20 games, explaining what each one teaches and how the core logic works.
🟢 Fundamentals & Logic Games
1. Click Counter Sprint
Click as many times as possible in 5 seconds.
Teaches: event listeners, timers, game state
if (!running) return;
score++;
A simple example of state-controlled interaction.
2. Guess the Number
Guess a random number between 1–100 with hints.
Teaches: randomness, conditionals, input validation
Math.floor(Math.random() * 100) + 1
3. Rock Paper Scissors
Play against the computer.
Teaches: arrays, rules, comparison logic
const moves = ["rock","paper","scissors"];
4. Coin Flip Streak
Try to get 5 heads in a row.
Teaches: probability, streak tracking
streak = heads ? streak + 1 : 0;
5. Dice Battle
Player vs CPU — first to 20 wins.
Teaches: turn-based logic, scoring
Math.floor(Math.random() * 6) + 1;
🟡 Timing, Speed & Input
6. Reaction Time Tester
Click as fast as possible when the screen turns green.
Teaches: timers, performance measurement
performance.now();
7. Typing Speed Race
Measure words-per-minute and accuracy.
Teaches: string comparison, timing
typed[i] === target[i]
8. Aim Trainer
Click 10 randomly placed targets as fast as possible.
Teaches: positioning, mouse interaction
target.style.left = Math.random() * maxX + "px";
🔵 Grid, Memory & Pattern Games
9. Whack-a-Mole
Click the active square before it moves.
Teaches: intervals, grid logic
setInterval(pickMole, 700);
10. Memory Match
Flip cards and find matching pairs.
Teaches: arrays, temporary state, delays
lockBoard = true;
11. Tic-Tac-Toe
Two-player classic with win detection.
Teaches: game boards, win conditions
winLines.some(...)
12. Simon Says
Repeat an increasing sequence of colors.
Teaches: async timing, arrays
await flash(sequence[i]);
🟣 Movement, Physics & Canvas
13. Keyboard Dodger
Avoid a moving enemy using arrow keys.
Teaches: keyboard input, collision detection
requestAnimationFrame(loop);
14. Pong (Lite)
Keep the ball alive using a paddle.
Teaches: motion, bouncing, collision
ball.vx *= -1;
15. Falling Objects Catcher
Catch falling objects with a basket.
Teaches: spawning, filtering objects
drops = drops.filter(...)
16. Endless Runner
Jump over obstacles using gravity.
Teaches: velocity, gravity, reset logic
player.vy += gravity;
17. Breakout (Mini)
Break all bricks with a bouncing ball.
Teaches: canvas drawing, brick states
brick.alive = false;
🟤 Spatial & Distance Logic
18. Maze Walker
Navigate a grid maze using arrow keys.
Teaches: 2D arrays, movement constraints
if (maze[r][c] === 1) return;
19. Hot / Cold Hunt
Find a hidden target using distance clues.
Teaches: geometry, feedback loops
Math.hypot(dx, dy);
⚫ Text & Data-Driven Games
20. Find the Key (Text Adventure)
Explore rooms, collect items, escape.
Teaches: objects as maps, command parsing
rooms[currentRoom].exits[direction];
This game proves you can build entire worlds using plain JavaScript objects.
🚀 Why These 20 Games Matter
Together, these games teach:
- Events & input handling
- State management
- Timing & animation loops
- Collision & spatial logic
- Arrays, objects, and control flow
They’re small — but they cover real JavaScript thinking.
👉 Full source code (all 20 games):
https://github.com/lsvekis/JavaScript-Games
Clone it. Fork it. Break it. Improve it.
That’s how JavaScript actually sticks.