Building ten simple games with GPT-5 Aug 09
I wanted to test out the recently released GPT-5 model by building ten simple and popular games.
All games were built in a one-shot prompt. Only the Tetris one didn’t fully work first-shot but a quick “redo your implementation” request fixed it.
Each section below includes the exact prompt used for that game. All follow the same constraints: single self-contained HTML file, inline CSS/JS, optional CDN font/SFX, no build tools, and responsive layout.
Pong
Build a complete Pong game as one HTML file (no build tools); use inline JS/CSS and optionally CDNs; render with <canvas>; two paddles (W/S for left, ↑/↓ for right), one ball with simple physics and wall bounce; score when opponent misses; show scores, Restart button (R), Pause (P), and minimal on-screen instructions; keep a simple AI option toggle for right paddle; responsive canvas sizing; no external state, analytics, or extra pages; keep assets (fonts/sfx) via CDN only.
Snake
Build a classic Snake as one HTML file with <canvas>; arrow keys to turn; fixed-step game loop; grid size ~20–30; snake grows on food; food spawns not on snake; die on self or wall (plus option toggle for wrap mode); show score/high score (localStorage), Restart (R), Pause (P); add simple difficulty (speed) select; all JS/CSS inline, CDNs allowed for fonts/sfx; responsive; no extra pages.
Tic-tac-toe
Build Tic-Tac-Toe as one HTML file; 3×3 board with click/touch; two modes: Human vs Human and Human vs AI (unbeatable minimax); show current player, win/draw line highlight, Restart; simple move history (undo optional); clean responsive layout; all JS/CSS inline; may load a webfont from CDN; no frameworks unless via CDN and minimal.
Minesweeper
Build Minesweeper as one HTML file; adjustable board sizes (Beginner/Intermediate/Expert); left-click reveal, right-click flag (long-press for touch); numbers show adjacent mines; first click never a mine; timer and mine counter; Restart; win when all safe revealed; neat visual states; accessible keyboard controls; all JS/CSS inline; optional icon font via CDN; responsive grid; no extra pages.
Breakout
Build Breakout as one HTML file using <canvas>; paddle (mouse or ←/→), ball, rows of bricks; basic collision/physics; lives, score, and level progression (rebuild bricks, slightly faster ball); power-ups optional (wider paddle, multi-ball); Restart (R), Pause (P), instructions overlay; all JS/CSS inline, optional CDN font/sfx; responsive canvas.
Flappy bird
Build a Flappy-style game as one HTML file; tap/click/space to flap; gravity, gap pipes scrolling; score increments per pipe passed; best score via localStorage; game over on pipe/ground; Restart; optional simple parallax background (CDN image allowed); all JS/CSS inline; responsive and 60fps loop; no extra pages.
Tetris
Build Tetris as one HTML file; standard 7 tetrominoes with bag randomizer; rotate (Z/X), move (←/→), soft drop (↓), hard drop (Space), hold piece (C), next queue; SRS-style rotation if simple to implement; line clears (single/double/triple/tetris) with scoring and level/speed; ghost piece; Pause/Restart; clean responsive UI; all JS/CSS inline; optional CDN font; no extra pages.
Simon
Build Simon as one HTML file; four colored pads with tone per pad; game plays growing sequence; user repeats by click/touch/keyboard (1–4); strict mode toggle (error restarts round vs resets game); show round number; Start/Restart; simple SFX via tone generation or CDN audio; all JS/CSS inline; accessible focus styles; responsive layout.
Hangman
Build Hangman as one HTML file; include a small built-in word list (array) and random choice; on-screen keyboard + physical keyboard input; show revealed letters, wrong guesses, remaining attempts, simple stick-figure progression; win/lose message and Restart; optional category filter; all JS/CSS inline; optional CDN webfont; responsive; no external calls.
Number guessing
Build a Number Guessing Game as one HTML file; computer picks random number in a chosen range (default 1–100); user inputs guesses; show “Higher/Lower/Correct” feedback and attempt count; allow range selector and Restart; minimal, responsive UI; all JS/CSS inline; optional CDN font; no extra pages.