Skip to main content

​
Keyboard Controls

Space Birds supports full keyboard control for desktop players. All controls are responsive and allow smooth gameplay.

​
Movement Controls

KeyAction
← (Left Arrow)Move bird left
→ (Right Arrow)Move bird right
↑ (Up Arrow)Move bird up
↓ (Down Arrow)Move bird down
Movement is continuous while the key is held. The bird stays within screen boundaries automatically.

​
Action Controls

KeyActionState
SPACEShoot bulletPLAYING, MENU
ENTERStart game / View scoreMENU, PLAYING, GAME_OVER
ESCEnd game earlyPLAYING
Press ENTER during gameplay to view your current score without ending the game!

​
Touch Controls (Mobile)

The game features intuitive touch controls optimized for mobile devices.

​
Touch Movement

Directional Touch System

Touch anywhere on the screen and the bird will move toward your finger position.

​
How It Works

  1. Touch the Screen: Place your finger anywhere
  2. Bird Follows: The bird moves toward your touch position
  3. Dead Zone: A 5-pixel dead zone prevents micro-movements
  4. Continuous Tracking: Keep your finger down for continuous movement

​
Touch Direction Logic

Horizontal Movement:
- Touch more than 5 pixels to the right → Bird moves right
- Touch more than 5 pixels to the left → Bird moves left

Vertical Movement:
- Touch more than 5 pixels above bird → Bird moves up  
- Touch more than 5 pixels below bird → Bird moves down
The dead zone of 5 pixels prevents accidental movements when you’re trying to hold position.

​
Touch Actions in Different States

StateTouch Action
MENUTap anywhere to start game
PLAYINGTouch and drag to move bird
GAME_OVERNo touch action (use ENTER key)
Touch controls do NOT trigger shooting. You must use keyboard SPACE or mouse right-click to fire.

​
Mouse Controls

Mouse controls provide an alternative shooting method for desktop players.

​
Mouse Actions

ButtonActionState
Right ClickShoot bulletPLAYING

Hybrid Control Scheme

Many players prefer using arrow keys for movement and right-click for shooting, as it allows for more precise control.

​
Mouse Shooting Features

  • Same 0.3-second cooldown as keyboard shooting
  • Produces visual flash effect
  • Plays shooting sound effect
  • Fires bullet from bird’s center position

​
Control Tips

Desktop Players

Use arrow keys for movement and SPACE or right-click for shooting. Try both shooting methods to find your preference!

Mobile Players

Use touch to move your bird around, but remember you’ll need to connect a keyboard or use an external input method to shoot.
For best performance on desktop, use keyboard for movement and mouse right-click for shooting. This gives you independent control over both actions.

​
Starting the Game

From the MENU state, you have multiple options:
InputAction
SPACE keyStart game
ENTER keyStart game
Touch screenStart game

​
In-Game Controls

InputActionResult
ESCQuit to game overShows final score
ENTERView current scoreTemporary score overlay
Arrow KeysMovementContinuous while held
SPACE / Right ClickShoot0.3s cooldown

​
Game Over Screen

InputAction
ENTERReturn to menu
The game over screen only responds to the ENTER key. Touch and other inputs are disabled in this state.

​
Movement Boundaries

The bird automatically stays within screen boundaries:
  • Left Boundary: 0 pixels (left edge)
  • Right Boundary: Screen width - 64 pixels (bird width)
  • Bottom Boundary: 0 pixels (bottom edge)
  • Top Boundary: Screen height - 64 pixels (bird height)
You can safely hold movement keys without worrying about going off-screen. The game prevents out-of-bounds movement automatically.

​
Accessibility

​
Multiple Input Methods

The game supports multiple control schemes simultaneously: ✅ Keyboard-only gameplay (arrows + space)
✅ Hybrid keyboard + mouse (arrows + right-click)
✅ Touch + keyboard (touch movement + space to shoot)
Experiment with different control combinations to find what works best for your play style!

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Get started for freeTalk to us