I am a Chrome user. I have been for years. The T. rex is my buddy. But I have a confession to make.
I started playing Edge Surf recently, and… it might be better.
Microsoft saw how popular the Dino game was and said, “Hold my beer.” They created a surf game built directly into the browser. But they didn’t just make a clone. They made a full arcade experience.
Imagine the classic game SkiFree from the 90s, but with way better graphics and on water. That is Microsoft Surf.
The first time I played it, I was shocked. It has color. It has different characters you can choose from (surfers, skiers, etc.). It has power-ups. And yes, there is a giant Kraken that chases you if you take too long.
It feels more like a “real” game than the Dino Runner. The Dino is a quick distraction. Edge Surf feels like something you could play for hours. It reminds me of classic arcade games like Galaga, where the goal is pure high-score chasing, but the visuals are actually nice to look at.
You aren’t just jumping in a straight line. You are drifting across the water. You hit ramps to get air time. You have to dodge rocks, other surfers, and buoys. The movement feels smooth and “drifty,” similar to the cars in Drift Hunters.
How to Play Edge Surf
The game is surprisingly deep for a browser easter egg. Here is your guide to mastering the waves.
The Controls:
- Steer: Use the Left and Right arrow keys.
- Boost: Press Spacebar (if you have a boost collected).
- Pause: Press Esc.
Game Modes:
Microsoft Surf actually has three different modes, which is crazy for a “no internet” game.
- Endless Mode: This is the classic. Surf as far as you can. The game gets faster and harder the longer you go.
- Time Trial: You have to reach the end of the course as fast as possible. You need to collect coins to subtract time from your clock.
- Zig Zag: This is the hard one. You have to surf through gates. If you miss too many, you lose. It requires the same kind of precision as Slope.
Tips for Surviving the Kraken:
- Use Ramps. Hitting a ramp gives you a speed boost. It also looks cool.
- Collect the Green Lightning. These are boost power-ups. Save them for when the Kraken shows up or when you need to crash through a line of obstacles.
- Watch Your Hearts. Unlike the Dino game, where one hit kills you, in Edge Surf, you have three hearts. You can crash a couple of times and keep going. Collect hearts on the water to heal up.
- Don’t Get Greedy. In Time Trial mode, it is tempting to grab every coin. Don’t. If grabbing a coin means you might hit a rock, skip it. Staying alive is faster than respawning.
If you want a water game that is more chaotic and physics-based, you should check out Super Liquid Soccer. But for pure arcade racing vibes, Edge Surf is the king of the ocean.