Friday Night Funkin’

About This Game

Friday Night Funkin’, developed by The Funkin’ Crew Inc. (ninjamuffin99, PhantomArcade, Kawai Sprite, and evilsk8r), is an open-source rhythm game that exploded onto the scene after its debut at Ludum Dare 47 in 2020. You play as Boyfriend, a blue-haired rapper aiming to win over Girlfriend by out-singing her ex-rockstar father, Daddy Dearest, and other wild opponents like Skid and Pump, Pico, and Tankman. The game features eight weeks of story-driven rap battles, each with three songs, plus a new Weekend 1 update, blending nu-jazz, Vocaloid, and dance beats. Its retro Newgrounds-inspired pixel art, catchy soundtrack, and active modding community have made it a cultural hit, driving millions back to Newgrounds. Rated for ages 13 and up due to suggestive themes and mild language, it’s perfect for rhythm game fans, teens, and anyone who loves a musical challenge. A full version, Friday Night Funkin’: The Full Ass Game, is in development, backed by a $2.2 million Kickstarter.

How to Play

Playing Friday Night Funkin’ is all about timing and rhythm. Here’s how it works:

• Hit the Beat: Press arrow keys (or WASD) in sync with on-screen arrows as they align with a target zone to match your opponent’s singing or rapping. Timing is key to keep your health bar up.
• Story Mode: Progress through eight weeks, each with three songs and unique opponents (e.g., Daddy Dearest in Week 1, Pico in Week 3). Choose from Easy, Normal, or Hard difficulty, with Hard requiring near-perfect precision.
• Freeplay Mode: Practice individual songs or try Erect and Nightmare remixes for tougher challenges. Unlock Pico as a playable character after beating Weekend 1.
• Avoid Misses: Missing notes drains your health. If your health bar depletes, you’ll need to retry the song. Earn Perfect or Gold Perfect ratings on Hard for bragging rights.
• Use Keybinds: Default controls are arrow keys or WASD, but you can rebind them in-game. Press Enter to select options, + or – to adjust volume, and 0 to mute.
• Secret Inputs: On the title screen, input “left, right, left, right, up, down, up, down” to trigger a special Girlfriend animation and theme. The game’s songs start simple but get faster and more complex, especially in later weeks or Erect remixes. No time limit lets you focus on mastering the beat, with retries available instantly.

Platforms

Friday Night Funkin’ is accessible across multiple devices:

• Mobile: iOS and Android devices, including phones and tablets (optimized for touchscreen, though some players note control issues fixed in June 2025 updates)
• Tablet: iPad, Android tablets, and similar devices
• PC/Computer: Any web browser on Windows, macOS, or Linux (compatible with Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and more)
• Chrome Extension: Available via the Chrome Web Store for offline play
• Steam: Upcoming premium version, Friday Night Funkin’: The Full Ass Game, in development The browser version on Skipthegame, Poki, Newgrounds, or platforms like CrazyGames, Snokido, and KBHGames requires no downloads or logins—just open and play. Mobile apps and the Chrome extension support offline play. The game uses HTML5, replacing its original Flash format, with gamepad support for a console-like experience. Some users report mobile control lag, but the June 2025 Pit Stop update improved touchscreen responsiveness.

Pop Groups

Friday Night Funkin’ appeals to a wide audience, but these groups are especially drawn to it:

• Rhythm Game Fans: Players who love Dance Dance Revolution, PaRappa the Rapper, or Geometry Dash will enjoy the timing-based gameplay and catchy music.
• Modding Enthusiasts: The open-source nature attracts fans who create and play mods, adding characters like Whitty or Tricky, available on FNFGO.com.
• Teens and Young Adults: Rated for ages 13 and up due to suggestive themes (e.g., “gettin’ freaky”) and mild language, it’s a hit with teens and Newgrounds fans.
• Retro Game Lovers: The pixel-art style and Newgrounds vibe appeal to players nostalgic for early 2000s Flash games.
• Competitive Players: Those who enjoy mastering Hard difficulty or chasing Perfect ratings will find the game’s challenges rewarding.

More Games Like This

If you’re hooked on Friday Night Funkin’, try these similar games for more rhythm or action fun:

• Funky Friday (Roblox): A multiplayer rhythm game inspired by FNF, with similar arrow-based mechanics and mod support.
• Geometry Dash (Poki): A rhythm-based platformer with precise timing challenges, ideal for FNF fans seeking a different vibe.
• Osu! (Steam): A rhythm game with customizable beatmaps, offering complex patterns for skilled players.
• StepMania (Free): A Dance Dance Revolution-style game with fan-made songs, perfect for rhythm enthusiasts.
• Rhythm Doctor (Steam): A unique rhythm game with medical-themed levels, blending music and storytelling.

These games offer a mix of rhythm, music, and challenging gameplay to keep the beat going. Note that Skipthegame does not currently feature similar rhythm games, but you can check Poki or CrazyGames for alternatives like those listed above.

Developer

Friday Night Funkin’ was developed by The Funkin’ Crew Inc., a small team led by Cameron “ninjamuffin99” Taylor (programming), David “PhantomArcade” Brown (art and animation), Isaac “Kawai Sprite” Garcia (music), and evilsk8r (art). Created for Ludum Dare 47 in October 2020, the game’s open-source nature (Apache 2.0 license) has fueled a vibrant modding community. The team, backed by Newgrounds’ Tom Fulp, raised over $2.2 million via Kickstarter in April 2021 for the upcoming Friday Night Funkin’: The Full Ass Game, which will include 45 new weeks, online multiplayer, and animated cutscenes. Support them at fridaynight@funkin.me or their Kickstarter page.

Features

Friday Night Funkin’ is packed with features that make it a standout rhythm game:

• Eight Story Weeks: Battle through 25+ songs across eight weeks, facing opponents like Daddy Dearest, Skid and Pump, Pico, and Tankman, plus Weekend 1 with new tracks.
• Catchy Soundtrack: Over 60 original songs by Kawai Sprite and collaborators like Lotus Juice, blending nu-jazz, Vocaloid, and dance beats. Available on Bandcamp and Spotify.
• Open-Source Modding: Thousands of fan-made mods (e.g., FNF vs. Whitty) add new characters and songs, playable on FNFGO.com.
• Freeplay Mode: Practice any song or try Erect and Nightmare remixes for extra difficulty.
• Customizable Controls: Rebind keys in-game (default: WASD or arrows), with gamepad support for consoles.
• Retro Pixel Art: Newgrounds-inspired visuals with vibrant animations by PhantomArcade and evilsk8r.
• Offline Play: Enjoy without Wi-Fi on mobile apps or the Chrome extension.
• Free and Premium Options: Browser versions are free with ads; the upcoming Steam version will be paid.
• Cross-Platform Support: Play on mobile, tablet, or PC, with mobile controls improved in the June 2025 update.Some players note intrusive ads in free versions, but the upcoming premium version will be ad-free.

Controls

The controls are simple and customizable across devices:

• Keyboard (PC):
  • Play: WASD or arrow keys to hit notes (up, down, left, right)
  • Select: Enter
  • Volume: + (increase), – (decrease), 0 (mute)
  • Menu/Exit: Esc or Backspace
• Touchscreen (Mobile/Tablet): Tap on-screen arrows to hit notes, with buttons for menu navigation. The June 2025 update improved touchscreen responsiveness, though some prefer hitbox controls.
• Gamepad: Supported for console-like play, with customizable mappings.
• Secret Inputs: On the title screen, press “left, right, left, right, up, down, up, down” for a special animation. Press Y in windowed mode to make the game window move in a figure-8 pattern. Controls are intuitive, but Hard difficulty and Erect remixes demand precise timing.

Release Date

Friday Night Funkin’ debuted on October 5, 2020, at Ludum Dare 47, with an expanded demo on Newgrounds on November 1, 2020. Week 7 launched as a Newgrounds exclusive on April 18, 2021, and Weekend 1 was added on May 1, 2024, with the Pit Stop update following on June 7, 2024, and Destination 2 on September 13, 2024, introducing 12 new songs and playable Pico. The full version, Friday Night Funkin’: The Full Ass Game, is in development with no confirmed release date, though updates continue to enrich the demo.

FAQ

Q: Is Friday Night Funkin’ free to play?
A: Yes, browser versions on Skipthegame, Poki, Newgrounds, and others are free with ads. The upcoming Steam version will be paid, with in-app purchases for mobile ad-free play.

Q: Can I play offline?
A: Yes, mobile apps and the Chrome extension support offline play, ideal for gaming anywhere.

Q: Is this game suitable for kids?
A: It’s rated for ages 13 and up due to suggestive themes (e.g., “gettin’ freaky”) and mild language, suitable for teens with parental guidance but not young children.

Q: How many songs and weeks are there?
A: Eight weeks with 25+ songs, plus Weekend 1 and Erect/Nightmare remixes. Updates like Pit Stop and Destination 2 added tracks like “Lit Up” and “Darnell Erect.”

Q: What if I get stuck on a song?
A: Practice in Freeplay mode or lower the difficulty. Mods on FNFGO.com offer easier versions, and YouTube tutorials can help with tough songs like “Guns.”

Q: Are there ads in the game?
A: Browser versions include ads, which can be intrusive. Mobile apps and the upcoming Steam version offer ad-free options via purchase.

Q: Can I play on multiple devices?
A: Yes, play on mobile, tablet, or PC via browser, or use the Chrome extension. Progress doesn’t sync across devices.

Q: Are there mods available?
A: Yes, thousands of fan-made mods add characters like Whitty or Tricky. Play them on FNFGO.com or download via GameBanana. The full game will support mods via Polymod.

Q: Are there similar games on Skipthegame?
A: Skipthegame doesn’t currently feature rhythm games, but try Funky Friday on Roblox or Geometry Dash on Poki for similar vibes.