What is Flipside?
Flipside is a futuristic motorbike racing game created by Nitrome and released on 2025-04-23. The title challenges players to steer high-speed machines across futuristic courses where vehicles can stick to and drive along ceilings. Racers can compete solo or battle a friend in head-to-head racing on a shared computer keyboard. Flipside plays free in your desktop browser without requiring downloads or extra installations.
Key features
- Ceiling driving: Build enough momentum to climb walls and drive along overhead track ceilings.
- Fifteen courses: Master 15 distinct racing tracks featuring inverted curves and elevated pathways.
- Local split competition: Share a single computer keyboard for intense 2 player matches with a friend.
- Mid-air jumping: Leap across roadway gaps to maintain racing momentum and avoid track hazards.
- Flexible keyboard inputs: Steer using either directional arrow keys or standard letter keys.
- Desktop browser play: Experience responsive arcade controls on desktop computers without software setups.
How to play
- Select your preferred competition style from the menu to either race solo or start a local 2 player showdown.
- Press your steering keys to guide your futuristic motorbike down the starting straightaway.
- Accelerate along the floor until your bike builds enough speed to climb onto the ceiling.
- Cruise upside down along overhead paths to pass competing racers who are stuck on the lower road.
- Execute a jump whenever the track separates or when dropping back down to floor level.
- Cross the finish line in first place across all 15 tracks to master the racing circuit.
Controls
| Action | Keyboard Control |
|---|---|
| Steer left or right | A, D, Left arrow, or Right arrow |
| Jump | Spacebar or Up arrow |
Inverted track momentum
Flipside centers around an inverted velocity system. Unlike conventional racing titles where vehicles remain anchored to the floor, motorbikes here can climb vertical curves and lock onto overhead surfaces once they generate sufficient forward momentum. Riding along the ceiling creates an alternate passing lane, letting skilled racers bypass packed roadways and overtake opponents who block standard lines. Maintaining steady momentum keeps your bike adhered overhead, while jumps or sudden drops in velocity guide you back toward the lower pavement.
Tips and strategy
- Build momentum early: Reach high speed on flat road sections before climbing walls, ensuring your bike has enough momentum to stick to the ceiling.
- Scan opponent clusters: Look ahead at crowded floor routes and switch to overhead ceiling paths to bypass multiple rivals without collisions.
- Conserve jump timing: Trigger your jump only when approaching wide track disconnects so you maintain maximum forward velocity.
- Coordinate keyboard space: During 2 player matches, position both players comfortably around the keyboard so neither racer interferes with steering inputs.
Game modes
Single-player circuit
Take on computer-controlled rivals alone across all 15 campaign tracks to learn optimal ceiling lines and shave seconds off your finishing times.
Local two-player showdown
Compete side by side on one computer in 2 player mode, battling a friend for track dominance across every inverted course.
Similar games
- Retro Highway puts players on high-speed motorbikes dodging traffic across vibrant highways.
- Sky Mad offers rapid jet racing with aerial maneuvers and high-speed circuit challenges.
- Driftwave tests precision vehicle handling and cornering control across stylized tracks.
Nitrome fans can also explore earlier arcade classics from the same studio, including Bad Ice-Cream, Double Edged, and Dangle.
Developer and history
Flipside was created by Nitrome and released on 2025-04-23. Nitrome established a strong reputation for inventive arcade designs and distinct pixel art, crafting this title around responsive inverted racing physics for desktop web browsers.
