Microsoft Edge takes classic Windows game out of the dust for offline moments

Microsoft Edge’s minigame, which you can play when the browser can’t come online, got a snowy twist this month. The traditional ‘surfing game’ has been adapted into a nostalgic skiing challenge (we’ll come back to its origins later).

Don’t know the surf game? That’s basically the equivalent of the dinosaur game in Chrome: a mini-game that you can play when your internet is offline (or when you’re just bored).

In the Edge game you can move your surfer around the screen with your keyboard, mouse, touchscreen or controller to avoid obstacles, make jumps and sometimes be chased by the huge kraken.

The German tech site Deskmodder spotted a new game in Edge 96. In it, the ocean is replaced by a snowy slope and the kraken is transformed into a yeti (aka the Abominable Snowman).

Get your winter clothes on and hit the slopes with a limited-time skiing theme for the surf game in Microsoft Edge 96! Can you avoid the yeti while taking a trip down memory lane?🎿 Type edge://surf/ into Microsoft Edge to play! pic.twitter.com/EJObcaTSGyNov 23, 2021

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Otherwise it’s the same game, with a few different game modes (endless, probation and zigzag). The game is a bit nicer dressed and worked out than Chrome Dino (which is a real side-scroller with the spacebar as the only action option).

If you want to play the game, open Edge and type the following into the address bar:

edge://surf

Analysis: SkiFree is back after 30 years

The surf game was available in Edge (Build 83) from May 2020 and was based on Microsoft’s old classic game SkiFree from 1991. In fact, this new winter-inspired version is a return to the original version of the game!

The game is certainly a fun diversion, and more interesting than Chrome Dino. You’ll also be less likely to get carsick, which can happen with the dinosaur game when it starts to scroll faster.

Want to play more games on your PC? Then check out our collection of the best free games.