About Whack-a-Mole
Whack-a-Mole is a classic fairground and arcade game that tests reflexes. Our version is quick and cheerful, with golden moles for bonus points and bombs to keep you alert.
Each game lasts 45 seconds, and moles appear faster as time goes on.
Whack-a-Mole at a glance
| Genre | Arcade game |
|---|---|
| Price | Free, no download or sign-up |
| Controls | Tap |
| Typical game length | 45 seconds |
| Lives | 3 per game |
| Works on | Phones, tablets and computers, in any modern browser |
| Daily challenge | Yes, the same puzzle for everyone each day |
How to play Whack-a-Mole
- Tap the moles. Before they duck back down.
- Grab golden moles. Worth 3 times the points.
- Skip the bombs. Tapping a bomb costs a heart.
Rules
- 45 seconds per game.
- 3 hearts: tapping bombs costs one each.
Levels and difficulty
Moles appear faster and stay up for less time as the game goes on.
Scoring
10 points per mole, 30 per golden mole. Daily challenge scores can be shared with friends.
Tips and strategy for Whack-a-Mole
- Keep your eyes in the center of the grid.
- Do not tap too early: check it is not a bomb.
- Go for golden moles first when two appear.
History of the game
Whack-a-Mole style arcade machines became popular in the 1970s and are still a fairground favorite.
How we built and tested Whack-a-Mole
We tested spawning, timing and bomb penalties in automated runs.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a game?
45 seconds.
What do bombs do?
Tapping a bomb costs a heart.