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Kaboom.js Review

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Should I use Kaboom.js?

JavaScript game programming library that helps you make games fast and fun - kaboomjs.com

· 1 month ago

Don't start anything new with Kaboom.js — its own homepage says it is no longer maintained. Hobbyists tinkering with existing Kaboom code are fine; new projects should use KAPLAY, the community fork, or Phaser.

Confidence

High. Based on 30+ public sources, including the official site, GitHub repos, Reddit threads, and Snyk.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

$0

Open source

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes

Best for

  • Maintaining existing hobby projects
  • JavaScript learners following classic tutorials
  • Quick 2D prototypes and game-jam experiments

Not for

  • New production or commercial games
  • Teams needing updates, bug fixes, or support
  • Anyone choosing a long-term game framework
  • Projects wanting an active ecosystem — use KAPLAY or Phaser

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Officially unmaintained — expect no bug fixes, updates, or official support.

medium

Two ecosystems now exist; older Kaboom tutorials may not match KAPLAY docs.

medium

Guess: migrating existing code to KAPLAY may require changes as APIs diverge.

medium

Community help only — Reddit, forums, and aging tutorials.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Free, open source, and zero-dependency
  • Large library of free beginner tutorials (Mario, Zelda, Snake)
  • In-browser playground for instant experimentation
  • Simple, declarative API aimed at making games accessible
  • Active community fork (KAPLAY) carries the work forward

Cons

  • Officially unmaintained — stated on its own homepage
  • Development moved to KAPLAY; Kaboom itself is frozen
  • Smaller ecosystem and mindshare than Phaser
  • Beginners report confusing errors like 'solid() is not defined'

Sources & method

- 10 sources - No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

official x3review x5security x2

Key stats

  • Value for money: 5/5

    Rating

  • $0

    Starting price

  • 10

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 5/5. Entirely free and open source.
  • Ease of use: 4/5. Simple API; many beginner tutorials exist.
  • Feature depth: 3/5. Fine for 2D; Phaser is deeper.
  • Support quality: 1/5. Unmaintained; community-only help.
  • Security posture: 3/5. No disclosed vulnerabilities; no security page.
  • $0 Price Free, open source
  • 0 Dependencies Zero-dependency declarative design
  • Unmaintained Status Discontinued notice on official site
  • KAPLAY Successor Community fork continues development

Pricing

Open source

$0

  • Full game library
  • Zero dependencies
  • In-browser playground

Security

No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

What users say

Beginners enjoy how quickly Kaboom gets a 2D game running, but many weigh switching to Phaser or the KAPLAY fork.

“Kaboom.js - a zero-dependency declarative JavaScript game library”
Reddit, r/learnjavascript
“Kaplay is very simple, fast and gives good buildi”
Reddit, r/gamedev

Alternatives

Compare Kaboom.js with each alternative.

  • KAPLAY

    Community fork of Kaboom; actively maintained successor.

  • Phaser

    Mature 2D web game framework with a large ecosystem.

    Kaboom.js vs Phaser

  • Vanilla JS + Canvas

    Raw canvas works fine for small, simple games.

Companies that could

  • Disney⁷ Uses Phaser instead
  • Facebook⁷ Uses Phaser instead
  • Adobe⁷ Uses Phaser instead
Full analysis

Based on 30+ public sources, including the official site, GitHub repos, Reddit threads, and Snyk.

Free and beginner-friendly, but officially unmaintained. For new games use KAPLAY or Phaser.

Methodology

Based on 30+ public sources, including the official site, GitHub repos, Reddit threads, and Snyk.

Read how a report is made.

Sources

  1. Kaboom.js — official site with discontinued noticekaboomjs.com
    official
  2. replit/kaboom on GitHubgithub.com
    official
  3. KAPLAY.js — community successor on GitHubgithub.com
    official
  4. Is Kaboom js or Phaser better to use as a web developer — Reddit r/gamedevreddit.com
    review
  5. Kaboom.js — a zero-dependency declarative JavaScript game library — Reddit r/learnjavascriptreddit.com
    review
  6. Kaboom.js: solid() is not defined — Reddit r/learnjavascriptreddit.com
    review
  7. Top 10 2D JavaScript Game Engines for Beginners — SitePointsitepoint.com
    review
  8. How to Build Mario, Zelda, and Space Invaders with Kaboom.js — freeCodeCampfreecodecamp.org
    review
  9. kaboom — Snyk Vulnerability Databasesecurity.snyk.io
    security
  10. Kaboom.js security page (not found)kaboomjs.com
    security

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