High Striker

High Striker brings the strongman tower of the travelling carnival to your browser. A friendly showman in a striped leotard stands beside the tower with a giant foam mallet, the bulbs chase up the board and the crowd is waiting. Every swing takes two taps. First the power meter swings up and down: tap as it reaches the top, and a press in the gold MAX band at the very top is worth a bonus. Then a sweet spot slides across the strike pad: tap again as it crosses the mark in the middle. Power times accuracy sends the puck up the rail past the painted titles, from Tickle and Nudge to Powerhouse and Super Strong, and a strike that is big enough rings the brass bell under the Mighty! sign with a burst of confetti.

There are twenty-five rounds on five towers, three swings a round and three stars to earn: one for ringing the bell, one for ringing it twice and one for a perfect strike, full power and the bullseye together. The bell climbs higher and the sweet spot moves faster as you go, but every round can be cleared: a perfect strike always reaches the bell with room to spare. Stars put plush prizes on the shelf beside the tower, from a panda to a little dragon.

Endless is the quick mode for a high score: the tower steps up with every ring, rings in a row count double and then triple, and three misses end the run. Your best and today's best are kept. It is a game of rhythm more than reflexes, easy to pick up and relaxing to play, with a little brain work in reading the meter's swing. Your stars, prizes and scores are saved in your browser.