# Canabalt

> One-button infinite runner game with new modes and characters. (iPhone/iPad app by Finji.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canabalt/id333180061 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Finji](https://appshunter.io/developer/287712246)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Action, Casual
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 82 App Store ratings · 364 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 9.2 · 27 MB
- Languages: American English, Bulgarian, Dutch, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian Bokmål, European Portuguese and 5 more
- Released: 2009-10-02
- Data updated: 2026-09-07
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canabalt/id333180061/reviews.md

## What is Canabalt?

"Fantastic... Super-simple, pixel-perfect, great music and sound." - daringfireball.net
"Canabalt is pure genius." -necessarygames.com
Escape the destruction of your city with just one button! The game that popularized the infinite runner genre is back with new game modes and support for every dang phone and tablet thingy!

-------------------------

"This "daring escape" platformer is simply beautiful and beautifully simple." -Kotaku

"It's going to be quite some time before you find something so simple so thrilling again." -Offworld

"Canabalt is actually much more intense than you'd assume of a game which requires a single finger to play." -GameSpy

-------------------------

Play any of the 8 new game modes with one or two players, dash across rooftops with four different runners, or just chase that high score in the classic futile race for survival.

-------------------------

"It's all very lovely and full of poignant subtext. And awesomeness. Canabalt is a prime example of a simple idea executed extremely well." -JayIsGames

"I have never seen a concept so richly and successfully realized in such a simple yet stunningly complete form.  Canabalt represents the power and potential of small independent games." -gameinmind.com

"Music is another component that is just perfect - it enhances the strange and unsettling setting of the game and also gives a sense of speed with a hint of hope that quick feet might be the salvation to the horror." -bartsnews.net

## Key features

- One-button controls
- Infinite runner gameplay
- New game modes
- Multiple characters
- High score chasing
- Two-player option

## What do users think of Canabalt?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Simple yet addictive gameplay
- 👍 Atmospheric music and sound effects
- 🎨 Unique retro pixel art style
- 💡 Randomized obstacles for replayability

**Cons**

- 💰 Expensive for a simple game
- 🔍 Lack of screen optimization for newer devices
- 🔇 No option to disable music
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Crashes on iOS 14
- Sound effects not working on some devices
- High scores not displaying correctly

**Most requested features**

- Ability to turn off music
- More game modes and levels
- Online leaderboards and achievements
- Controller support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 364)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canabalt/id333180061/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Here in 2025

*2025-05-28, version 2.42*

Amazing. Simple. Love it. Glad it still exists.

### 5/5 — Five years strong

*2025-03-27, version 2.42*

This was the first game I ever downloaded on my iPhone 3G and it still makes the front page of the App Store as I hold the 6th version in my hand. Hats off to you mr Saltsman. Glad you keep making improvements.

Update 03/2025
Just found my old 3g phone and somehow it still booted up. Found this game on there with all my high scores from 15 years ago. So feeling all nostalgic I figured I’d add a review, but to my surprise I had written one when I got my iPhone 6. Just upgraded to the 16e today and this was the first game I installed. I’ll check back in 10 years to update again.

### 4/5 — Absolutely beautiful, however…

*2025-02-16, version 2.42*

This game is a wonderful, addictive, and absolutely solid. However the game is slightly spoiled now due to not being updated for the full screen iPhones (iPhone X and up) which makes the resolution so tiny it actually hinders your playing skills due to not being able to see the character very much.

Once this game is updated I would absolutely recommend it but for the time being I would say buyer beware.

### 2/5 — Wrong ar..

*2025-02-02*

..of nowadays iPhones.

### 2/5 — Canabalt

*2024-09-05, version 2.42*

This used to be a fantastic game. I mean it still is, but in one of the updates along the way you took away the option to have no music, and just have sound effects. This is what made the game for me. Being autistic I can’t tolerate music in games. This is now ruined in tvOS and iOS. Please bring back the silent music and sound effects. Thank you 🙏🏻

### 5/5 — It’s still awesome

*2024-07-31, version 2.42*

Correction to my last review. Sound still works in my iPhone. It’s a great little game even after all these years :)

### 5/5 — Still the best game I ever downloaded

*2024-05-10, version 2.42*

The fail screen cracks me up every time

### 5/5 — Still classic

*2024-03-29, version 2.42*

One of the first games I got on my iPhone way back in 2009. Played it on Apple TV, iPad, and iPhone. Easy to pickup, difficult to master.

### 3/5 — amazing game

*2024-03-10, version 2.42*

i love this game and used to play so much in my childhood i but i have to give it 3 stars because the screen is not updated for the iphone x and higher

### 4/5 — It's brilliant

*2024-01-03, version 2.42*

It is very fun even though after a long time it gets a bit boring but other than that it defiantly entertains you! It's the only game I have on my phone!

## Frequently asked questions about Canabalt

### What is Canabalt?

Canabalt is a classic infinite runner game where players escape a collapsing city by running and jumping with simple one-button controls. It popularized the genre and offers new game modes and characters.

### What are the key features of Canabalt?

Key features include intuitive one-button controls, addictive infinite runner gameplay, multiple new game modes, the ability to play with different runners, and a focus on chasing high scores. It also supports one or two players.

### How much does Canabalt cost?

Based on the provided information, Canabalt is a paid application. It does not feature in-app purchases or advertisements, indicating a one-time purchase model.

### What devices is Canabalt compatible with?

The description states that the game has support for "every dang phone and tablet thingy," suggesting broad compatibility across various mobile devices.

### What is the main goal of Canabalt?

The primary goal is to escape the destruction of the city by running as far as possible. Players aim to survive the futile race and achieve the highest score, especially in the classic mode.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.42 — 2017-08-04

This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included.

ok it's still 64-bit but now the birds aren't dorked sry sry sry

### 2.41 — 2017-08-03

64-bit

### 2.31 — 2014-12-10

- fixed annoying bug in 2P touch detection
- tried some new tricks to beef up iPhone6+ performance
- some font formatting fixes
- finally nailed that pesky sound effects bug!!
- full native support for iOS8, iPhone6, and iPhone6+! SO CRISPY
- bigger map and more background art on your huge new phone

### 2.3 — 2014-12-06

- finally nailed that pesky sound effects bug!!
- full native resolution support for iPhone6 and iPhone6+! SO CRISPY
- bigger map and more background art on your huge new phone
- rebuilt game engine to allow faster updates in the future!
- plays nice with iOS8

### 2.02 — 2014-12-04

- full native resolution support for iPhone6 and iPhone6+! SO CRISPY
- bigger map and more background art on your huge new phone
- rebuilt game engine to allow faster updates in the future!
- plays nice with iOS8

## Apps similar to Canabalt

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [holedown](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/holedown/id1297270249) | 4.3 (398) | $3.99 | Games |
| [Chameleon Run](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chameleon-run/id1084860489) | 4.7 (20,657) | $1.99 | Games |
| [Kaiju Attack](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kaiju-attack/id1601667026) | 4.6 (444) | $2.99 | Games |
| [subpar pool](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subpar-pool/id1546080553) | 4.6 (39) | $4.99 | Games |
| [Railbound](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/railbound/id1636439801) | 4.8 (117) | $4.99 | Games |
| [Ollie’s Arcade](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ollies-arcade/id6446127619) | 4.8 (134) | Free | Games |

## More apps by Finji

- [Aquaria](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aquaria/id469372252)
- [Hundreds](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hundreds/id493536432)
- [Journey of 1000 Stars](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/journey-of-1000-stars/id1084565679)
- [Night in the Woods](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/night-in-the-woods/id1251742577)
- [Feist](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/feist/id1288535749)

All apps by Finji: https://appshunter.io/developer/287712246

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-07.*
