Night Skate is a vibe-heavy, retro-styled 'one-button' skater that perfectly captures the feeling of a late-night cruise. It’s an endless runner at its core, but it feels much more like a rhythm-action game. You string together grinds and tricks off everything from park benches to logs, building up massive combos while soaking in a fantastic 'fantasy mixtape' soundtrack.
The game's aesthetic is its greatest strength. The lo-fi, pixel-art visuals and customizable color palettes give it a distinct identity that feels both nostalgic and fresh. It’s a very 'chill' experience—even when you’re trying to beat a high score, the lack of complex controls and the atmospheric music keep it from being stressful. It’s an 'Editors' Choice' for a reason; it’s a masterclass in how to make a simple mobile game feel like a deep, atmospheric world.
Finally, an actual game. Night Skate is a simple side-scrolling score-chaser. It leans heavily on its 'vibe'—purple hues, pixel art, and a chill soundtrack. The controls are responsive enough for a mobile title, relying on taps and holds to execute tricks. It captures that peaceful feeling of skating alone at night, which I appreciate.
However, it wears thin quickly. Once you've seen the loop, there isn't much to bring you back other than beating a personal high score. It’s a decent time-killer for a bus ride, but don't expect the depth of a proper skating sim or even a robust arcade title. It’s pretty to look at, but mechanically shallow.
Performance: Flawless performance on modern iOS devices; very short load times.
Buy if: You enjoy lo-fi aesthetics and simple high-score arcade games.
Skip if: You need complex trick systems or a career mode.
Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod
Version 1.2Tue Apr 05 2022
//// Night Skate v1.2 patch notes ////
~ Added a high scores card for each level! Open it by tapping the trophy icon on the stage select screen.
~ New accessibility options added to the title screen options menu to disable screen shake and damage flash.
Unlock songs, color palettes, and new levels to explore as you skate your way through an endless fantasy mixtape.
Developed by Luke and Clay Williams of the cooperative game studio Odd Animal.
Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.String tricks and grinds together to build massive combos in this retro endless runner skateboarding adventure.
Unlock songs, color palettes, and new levels to explore as you skate your way through an endless fantasy mixtape.
Developed by Luke and Clay Williams of the cooperative game studio Odd Animal.




















Night Skate is a retro-styled skateboarding adventure featuring simple one-button controls. Chain tricks and grinds off environmental objects to build massive combos. Unlock new levels, color palettes, and songs as you explore a variety of urban and fantasy locations. Developed with a focus on chill vibes and accessible gameplay.
Intuitive one-button controls
Chill retro pixel-art style
Unlockable songs and color palettes
Endless combo-based gameplay
Accessibility options (disable shake/flash)
To keep your combo alive, you must land a trick or a grind within a few seconds of the previous one. Use the 'manual' trick on flat ground to bridge the gap between obstacles.
As you skate, you'll earn points that unlock new stages and visual palettes. Each stage has its own unique soundtrack, helping to keep the 'mixtape' feel of the game fresh.
Simply jump toward a rail or edge; the skater will automatically begin a grind as long as you are aligned properly.