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Lights Out

Race around neon rooms, snatch power-ups, and hold back the darkness as the timer ticks down.

Heads up: If the embed does not load, open Lights Out in a separate tab. Open game in a new window

Gameplay overview

Kaboom.js arcade jam

Lights Out was created for a jam and features fast-paced movement inside a darkened arena. Collect glowing power-ups to delay the looming blackout while avoiding enemies that try to sap your energy. As levels progress, new obstacles and faster foes raise the tension.

Built with Kaboom.js, the game runs directly in the browser and showcases a stylish neon aesthetic with punchy audio cues.

Your objective

What you are trying to achieve

Lights Out is a fast arcade survival game set in a darkening arena. Collect glowing power-ups to hold back the blackout and boost your score while dodging enemies that drain your energy.

Each level adds new obstacles and faster foes, so the goal is to survive as long as you can and beat your previous run.

Controls

Keyboard movement

Action Input / gesture
WASD / Arrow keys Move your character.
Collect power-ups Keep the lights on and boost your score.
Avoid enemies and hazards Touching them drains energy.

Beginner guide

Your first few minutes

Keep moving from the first second. The darkness closes in fastest when you hesitate, so plan short loops rather than long treks.

  1. Move with WASD or the arrow keys and keep circling the arena instead of standing still.
  2. Collect glowing power-ups to delay the blackout and add to your score.
  3. Chain several pickups into one route before the timer drains.
  4. Bait enemies toward corners, then slip past them rather than trying to fight.
  5. Restart immediately after a failure to learn each enemy pattern while it is fresh.

Advanced tips

Stay lit

  • Plan routes that chain multiple power-ups before the timer drains.
  • Use the corners to bait enemies, then slip past them.
  • Keep moving—the longer you stand still, the quicker the darkness catches up.

Why play it?

Quick arcade fix

  • Simple controls with escalating challenge.
  • Eye-catching neon visuals and energetic sound effects.
  • Open-source code for developers interested in Kaboom.js arcade mechanics.

Our take

Why Lights Out feels punchy

Lights Out nails the “small jam game” sweet spot: a single, readable objective—keep the arena lit—driven by snappy movement and constant risk–reward decisions. The shrinking circle of light and looming blackout give every run a natural arc without needing complex level scripting.

Built with Kaboom.js, it also serves as a great showcase of how to combine fast arcade movement with simple power-up loops in the browser. If you are browsing for examples of tight, gamepad-friendly Kaboom projects or just want a quick adrenaline spike between tasks, this page delivers both.

Who will enjoy it?

  • Players who like short, intense arcade runs with clear failure states will enjoy chasing better survival times here. It’s less ideal if you prefer long-form progression or story—but perfect if you want a quick “wake-up” round that tests spatial awareness and route planning.

Frequently asked questions

Need a quick answer?

How do you play Lights Out?
Run around the darkened arena collecting glowing power-ups to keep the lights on while avoiding enemies that drain your energy.
What is the goal in Lights Out?
Survive as long as possible and rack up score by chaining power-ups before the blackout catches you.
What are the controls for Lights Out?
Use WASD or the arrow keys to move. Power-ups are collected simply by touching them, and there is no attack button.
Is Lights Out free to play?
Yes. It is a free browser jam game from Remarkable Games with no download or account needed.
Can you play Lights Out on mobile?
The game is built around keyboard movement, so it plays best on desktop, though it runs in any modern browser.
How do you survive longer in Lights Out?
Plan routes that chain multiple power-ups, use the corners to bait enemies, and never stop moving.
Why won't Lights Out load?
Refresh the page and make sure scripts are allowed for remarkablegames.org. Opening the game in a fresh tab usually clears a blank embed.