Ball in the Hole is a single-player physics puzzle game built around one carefully aimed release. Drag toward the direction you want the ball to travel, release, and use walls and rebounds to guide it into the target hole.
The portrait campaign contains 80 levels. Early stages introduce basic angles and bank shots, while later groups add moving obstacles, spikes, and wind zones. Each level also contains an optional star-shaped gem that can be spent on cosmetic ball skins.
How to Play Ball in the Hole
Select Play and choose an unlocked level. Press or touch anywhere in the play area, drag toward the intended travel direction, and release to launch the ball. This is not a backward-pull slingshot control.
Dragging changes the direction, not the power. Launch strength remains fixed. To cancel an unwanted shot, release close to the starting point inside the red X area.
Every valid launch starts a seven-second timer, although the countdown number is not displayed during the first 20 levels. Reach the hole before time expires. Hitting spikes, leaving the board, or running out of time restarts the current level.
The gem is optional, but it must be collected before entering the hole because reaching the hole ends the level immediately. A missed gem can be collected by replaying the stage.
Controls
| Action | Desktop | Touchscreen |
|---|---|---|
| Aim | Hold the left mouse button and drag toward the intended direction | Touch and hold, then drag toward the intended direction |
| Shoot | Release the mouse button | Lift your finger |
| Cancel | Release inside the red X area near the starting point | Lift your finger inside the red X area |
| Pause or resume | Click the pause or play icon | Tap the pause or play icon |
| Retry or select a level | Open the pause menu and choose the appropriate button | Open the pause menu and tap the appropriate button |
| Toggle sound | Click the music-note button | Tap the music-note button |
No keyboard aiming control is available in this version.
Levels, Gems, and Ball Skins
The campaign is divided into four groups of 20 levels. Their layouts progressively emphasize walls, rebound puzzles, sharp hazards, and wind. Moving or rotating panels make timing important, while wind can redirect an otherwise accurate shot.
Collecting the star-shaped gems adds currency for the shop. There are 22 ball designs in total, including the default design and 21 unlockable alternatives. Some unlock through play milestones, while others require collected gems. The skins are cosmetic and do not change the ball’s movement.
Endless Mode
Endless Mode remains locked until level 80 is completed. Once unlocked, each successful hole adds one point and loads another stage layout.
A run allows three failed attempts before ending and recording the best score. There are no combos or score multipliers.
Tips for Ball in the Hole
- Drag toward the destination. Pulling backward like a slingshot sends the ball in the wrong direction.
- Plan before releasing. The seven-second timer begins only after a valid launch, so inspect the full route first.
- Concentrate on angle rather than drag length. Shot strength is fixed, but a clean drag beyond the cancel area produces a reliable direction.
- Route through the gem first. Entering the hole immediately completes the level and ends the chance to collect it.
- Aim for broad wall surfaces. Small errors become larger after multiple rebounds, so avoid relying on the very edge of a panel.
- Account for movement and wind early. Time moving panels before releasing and aim against wind rather than waiting for the ball to drift off course.
Game Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Genre | Physics puzzle, arcade |
| Platform | Web browser |
| Supported devices | Desktop and touchscreen mobile browsers |
| Technology | Construct 2, HTML5 |
| Controls | Mouse or touchscreen drag-and-release |
| Number of players | 1 |
| Orientation | Portrait |
| Levels | 80 campaign levels |
| Modes | Campaign and unlockable Endless Mode |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can shot power be changed?
No. Dragging determines the direction while launch strength remains fixed. A longer drag mainly helps establish a clear angle and move outside the cancel area.
Are gems required to complete a level?
No. Reaching the hole clears the level even if the gem is missed. You can replay completed levels to collect missed gems for the skin shop.
How is Endless Mode unlocked?
Complete level 80 in Campaign Mode. Endless Mode then awards one point for every completed hole and continues until three attempts are lost.