Retro Games are browser-native RetroHexChat games you play without a peer session. Hex Pong, Light Trails, Star Duel variants, Block Breakers, Hex Warlords, Hex Raid variants, Hex Outlaw variants, Hex Tennis variants, Hex Invaders variants, Hex Enduro variants, Hex Skiing variants, Hex Frost variants, and Hex Hockey variants use the same game engine foundation as P2P play with an AI controller on the remote side. Hex Boxing also runs there with an AI boxer on the remote side. Pixel Tanks also runs there with an AI tank on the remote side.
Starting a Solo Game
- Double-click the Retro Games desktop icon, or open Start ▸ Games and choose Retro Games: both show the library, one icon per game. Choosing a game opens that game in a browser tab of its own, and the chat stays exactly where it was.
- Choose a game icon in the library.
- Select Easy, Normal, or Hard, then click Play vs AI once the canvas is ready.
The address is the door
- Every game has an address of its own: /play opens the library and /play/hex_pong opens that game directly. Send someone the address and they land on the same screen.
- A game tab and the chat run side by side. Opening one does not close the other, and closing the game tab leaves the chat untouched.
- Use the Chat link in the game window's status bar to go back.
Sharing a Game
- With a game selected, press Share. You get a short link you can paste anywhere — a channel, a private message, or outside RetroHexChat entirely.
- Whoever opens the link sees a card telling them what was shared. If they have no session yet they connect first and land back on the link.
- Sharing needs a registered nickname, because the link records who created it. Register with /ns register first.
How It Plays
In Hex Pong, you control the left paddle with Arrow Up / Arrow Down or W / S while the AI controls the right paddle. In Light Trails, use the arrow keys or WASD to steer and trap the AI before either trail hits a wall or occupied cell. In Star Duel variants, rotate, thrust, and fire with Space while the AI dogfights as player 2. In Block Breakers, move the bottom paddle with Left/Right or A/D while the AI covers the top paddle. In Hex Warlords, move the left shield with Up/Down or W/S, hold Space to catch, and release to launch at the AI castle. In Hex Raid variants, fly the left jet with Arrow keys or WASD, fire with Space, and use Shift for mines when the variant allows them. In Hex Outlaw, dodge visible bullets, line up your shot, and fire with Space or Shift. In Hex Tennis, move across your half, serve with Space or Shift, and let the AI cover the far court. In Hex Invaders, move with Left/Right or A/D, fire with Space, and let the AI clear the other cannon lane. In Hex Enduro, change lanes with Left/Right or A/D, accelerate and brake with Up/Down or W/S, and trigger turbo with Space or Shift. In Hex Skiing, steer with Left/Right or A/D, clear slalom gates, dodge obstacles, and outrun the avalanche when the variant has one. In Hex Frost, move with Arrow keys or WASD, jump between ice rows with Up/Down or W/S, build the igloo, and avoid arctic enemies. In Hex Hockey, skate with Arrow keys or WASD, shoot or tackle with Space or Shift, and challenge the AI from the far side.
In Hex Boxing, move in 8 directions, manage range, and tap Space or Shift to punch while the AI fights from the right side.
In Pixel Tanks, rotate with Left/Right or A/D, drive forward with Up or W, and fire with Space or Shift while the AI navigates the maze as player 2.
See Also
Hex Pong · Pixel Tanks · Star Duel · Block Breakers · Hex Warlords · Hex Raid · Hex Boxing · Hex Outlaw · Hex Tennis · Hex Invaders · Hex Enduro · Hex Skiing · Hex Frost · Hex Hockey · Solo Arcade · P2P Session
