How to play Bobble Tides
Game guide
Bobble Tides is a 3D speedboat adventure. Drive Bobble's boat down winding rivers and lagoons, jump off ramps, grab glowing sparks and hunt for hidden crystals on the way to the finish line.
The goal
Race through each world from the start dock to the checkered finish gate. Finishing a world unlocks the next one. There are six worlds: Sunny Lagoon, Jungle Falls, Sunset Harbor, Firefly Bayou, Glacier Fjord and Volcano Isle.
Controls
| Left and right arrows, or A and D | Steer |
|---|---|
| Space, Shift, Up arrow or W | Boost (hold it) |
| Down arrow or S | Slow down (hold it when stopped to back up) |
| R | Back on track |
| P or Esc | Pause |
Your boat speeds up on its own. On a phone or tablet, use the arrow buttons on the left to steer, and hold the lightning bolt on the right to boost.
Three stars in every world
- Finish the race.
- Find all 3 crystals. Look for the tall beams of light in the sky. Some crystals are hidden in coves off the main river, and some float high above a ramp jump.
- Beat the star time shown under your race clock.
You can earn the stars on different runs. Your best stars and times are saved, and your total stars go on the shared leaderboard.
Sparks and boost
- Golden sparks float along the river. Each one fills your boost meter a little.
- Glowing arrow pads on the water give you a free burst of speed.
- Ramps launch you into the air. Land a big jump to get extra boost.
- Finding a crystal fills your boost meter all the way.
Checkpoints
Drive between the glowing posts to pass each checkpoint. If you get stuck on the shore or bump into rocks, press the round arrow button (or R) to get back on track. The clock keeps running, so try to keep moving.
Boats
Stars unlock new boats. Each new boat is a little faster and turns a little better: Sunny Skipper, Mint Rocket, Midnight Shark, Lava Racer and, for players with every star, the Rainbow Royale.
Graphics settings
Bobble Tides has real-time water, glowing lights, shadows and lots of plants. Settings has High, Medium and Low graphics. Auto starts at the best look for your device and turns things down if the game runs slowly.
Tips
- Save your boost for long straight stretches instead of tight turns.
- Shallow water near the shore slows you down. Stay in the deep blue middle of the river.
- Check the round map in the corner. Purple dots are crystals you have not found yet.
- Watch for dolphins in Sunny Lagoon, penguins in Glacier Fjord and fireflies in the bayou.
Bobble Tides is free to play in your browser on a computer, tablet or phone, with no download or sign-up. Your progress is saved on your device.