Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about playing Ultimate Cycle Catcher on cyclecatcher.com. If your question is not here, see the contact page.

Is the game free?

Yes. The game is free to play in your browser with no account, no download and no in-game purchases. Stars and upgrades are earned only by playing. The website may show advertising on its article pages in the future to help cover running costs; ads are never placed inside the game itself.

What devices does it run on?

Any reasonably recent phone, tablet or computer with a modern browser. The game draws on an HTML canvas and adapts to the size and orientation of your screen. On a phone, portrait and landscape both work. On a computer you can use the mouse or the keyboard.

Can I install it like an app?

Most mobile browsers offer an "Add to Home Screen" option. That puts an icon on your device that opens the game full screen. It is the same web game, not a separate app.

How is my progress saved?

Your stars, best scores, unlocked routes, upgrades and settings are saved in your browser's local storage on your device. There is no account, so progress does not move between devices or browsers automatically. Clearing your browser's site data, or using a private window, will reset your progress.

How does the online scoreboard work?

On cyclecatcher.com you can choose a short display name to join the shared scoreboard. Your best score and stars for each route are then sent to the board, which ranks players by total score and on each route separately. Names are filtered for offensive words. Please do not use your real name. You can play without ever joining the board.

Why was my score not accepted?

The scoreboard checks that submitted scores are within what the game can actually produce and limits how often a player can submit in a short time. If the board is offline, the game keeps your score and tries again later. The game always plays normally either way.

What languages are available?

The game is available in English and Portuguese. The default is chosen from your region, and you can switch at any time in Settings. Your choice is remembered on your device. These guide pages are currently in English.

I'm stuck on a route. Any advice?

Start with the strategy tips and the level guide. The short version: watch the ring rather than the planet, avoid nervous double taps, and spend spare stars on the wide-band radar and long-range tank upgrades.

Is the science real?

The game compresses distances and time enormously and draws everything in a flat plane, but the relationships are real: inner bodies orbit faster, spacecraft must lead moving targets, and the view changes when you switch reference frames. The science section explains the ideas behind each route.

Does the game have sound? Can I turn it off?

Yes. Sound effects and short musical cues can be muted with the M key, the ♪ button during play, or in Settings.

Is it suitable for children?

The game contains no violence, chat or user-generated content apart from scoreboard display names, which are filtered. It is intended for a general audience. The site is not directed at children under 13, and we ask younger players to join the scoreboard only with a parent's help and never with a real name. See the privacy policy for details.

Is it accessible?

The game needs only a single input, and the first routes are forgiving. Fast timing is central to the design, so later routes can be demanding. The Hangar's wide-band radar and steady hands upgrades make timing more forgiving. These text pages support browser zoom and screen readers.

Who makes the game?

A small independent team; read more on the about page.