About Cross the Street
Cross the Street is as Egyptian as it gets: you're the bread seller with a tray of hot baladi bread on your head, and you have to get across Cairo's busy streets. Microbuses race by and never stop for anyone, tuk-tuks weave between the cars, donkey carts plod along, and buses take up the whole road. Every so often a train comes through, so listen for the bell and watch the red light.
Each press takes one step: forward, back, left or right. The pavement is safe, but it's full of kiosks, foul carts, palm trees and lamp posts to walk around. And the zebra crossings? They're painted on the road, but nobody stops for them, just like real life. Don't stand still for long either: the street keeps moving forward, and if it leaves you behind, you're out.
The game never ends: the further you go, the wider the roads, the faster the traffic and the more microbuses. Your steps are your score, and your best run is saved so you can try to beat it. If you get hit, nothing nasty happens: you spin around seeing stars, then you're straight back for another go.
How to play
- Press Let's go. You're standing on the pavement with the street ahead.
- Step forward with the arrow keys or a tap, and swipe sideways to dodge the traffic.
- Wait for a gap between vehicles, then cross the lane quickly.
- When you hear the train bell and see the red light flashing, stay off the tracks.
- Every step forward is a point. Keep moving so the street doesn't leave you behind.
Controls
| Keyboard | Arrow keys or W A S D: one step forward, back or sideways per press. Space or Enter also steps forward. |
|---|---|
| Mouse | Click the street to step forward, or drag the mouse left, right or down to move that way. |
| Touch | Tap the screen to step forward and swipe left, right or down. There are arrow buttons below the screen too. |
Tips to win
- Microbuses are the fastest thing on the street: if you see one coming, wait on the pavement or in the lane you just crossed.
- Donkey carts are slow but long, so cross behind them, not in front.
- Don't rush without looking: sometimes a step to the side beats a step forward.
- If traffic is close and the street is moving, a step back can save you.
Cross the Street: questions and answers
Does Cross the Street ever end?
No, the street is built ahead of you as you go, and the further you get the more lanes and the faster the traffic. The goal is to beat your best score.
Why do I lose when I stand still?
The street slowly moves forward on its own. If you wait too long the screen leaves you behind and the run ends, so keep moving.
Is the game OK for kids?
Yes, there's no violence at all: when you're hit you spin, get dizzy and vanish in a cartoon puff of smoke. It's also a fun reminder for younger players to look both ways before crossing a real street.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes, tap the screen to step forward and swipe to the sides. The game is light and runs in the browser on any phone or computer with nothing to download.