With Flash end-of-life announced for the end of 2020, HTML5 and JavaScript games have quickly taken over, becoming a major source of gaming on the web.
With this major shift in the landscape though came a move from largely using one tool to create online games, to using dozens (maybe hundreds!) of different engines, libraries, and variants of common web languages.
That’s where HTML5 and JavaScript game templates come in.
Why Use a HTML5 Game Template?
Building a game is difficult. With several distinct skill sets nestled into a complex package, it can difficult to just jump into a project from scratch.
For those new to game programming, using a template can help to fill in those gaps in skills, such as User Interface or graphic design, giving insight into the workings behind a completed game. This is a great learning experience, and helps to get your first couple of projects done without becoming too overwhelming.
Experienced game programmers can find plenty of use from these game templates too. They can help to build the skeleton for a larger game, or act as the base for a new project, cutting down on creating repetitive code for each new game you make.
If you’re looking for more advanced game engines or systems, check out our favorite JavaScript Game Engines for your next project.
For now, let’s take a look at the top 20 of these templates available on CodeCanyon.
Canvas Puzzle was the first HTML5 game on Envato Market, so this seems like a good place to start.
The concept is simple, but can easily be built on to create a fully fledged game.
Compatible with all modern browsers, this HTML5 game template has an Internet Explorer 9 or less fallback while also working great on the most current iPads.
Users can use any image—just drag and drop with Firefox and Chrome—and the game generates any number of different pieces.
Canvas Puzzle is lightweight, simple, clean, and ready for you to customize to your liking.
Will your boy make it past the zombies in Boy vs Zombies?
Give it a try or make it your own version.
Feature include:
- playable on all platforms
- easy to customize using Construct 2
- mouse, keyboard, and touch control support
- and more
Check out this zombie-themed endless runner in action:
Boy vs Zombies is ready for you to reskin and modify—without any coding knowledge.
Just like many of the other HTML5 and JavaScript game templates, Indiara and the Skull Gold works on all platforms.
Are you ready to go on an adventure collecting ancient artifacts in caves full of traps?
This fantastic HTML game template includes:
- 8 levels
- Construct 2 files
- layered Photoshop and Illustrator files
- and more
Indiara and the Skull Gold is fully touch and mouse supported, includes social media share buttons, and can be visually customized by swapping out the image files or completely modified with Construct 2.
The Slot Machine: The Fruits is optimized for both mobile and desktop and includes high-quality images that support up to 1500×640 resolution.
This colorful game was developed with:
The Slot Machine The Fruits can even be installed using the CTL Arcade WordPress plugin.
Based loosely on the classic arcade game, this HTML5 game template is ready to be innovated and turned into a brand new game.
Built on HTML5, JavaScript, and CreateJS, this title includes full source code and is ready to be customized.
This combination makes it great for learning all of the pieces that go into a game, for building your own games from, or as a headstart for an app project.
PSD and Adobe Illustrator files are also available sepearately for easier customization.
Enjoy the magic of HTML5 game templates with The Sorcerer.
This game build was inspired by Zuma gameplay and includes three different progressive levels.
It has been developed with:
The 960×540 resolution scales to fit and can be used with the CTL Arcade WordPress plugin.
Customize The Sorcerer and start making some puzzle magic!
‘Tis the season for some fun!
The Game Christmas Furious HTML5 game template brings touch and mouse supported fun to all platforms.
Includes:
- 6 levels
- Construct 2 files
- layered Photoshop and Illustrator files
- and more
Balloons invade the North Pole—can Santa catch all the gifts and avoid the balloons? The Game Christmas Furious HTML5 game template is ready to play or transform into your own creation.
The HTML5 3D BlackJack has:
- split hand
- double bet
- insurance
But the best part is the hi-res 3D graphic style.
This game has been developed with HTML5, JavaScript and CreateJS, and is both ready to play and very customizable.
You can even ante up the HTML5 3D BlackJack with the CTL Arcade WordPress plugin.
Game FlapCat Steampunk is based on similar blockbuster games with its simple design and playability.
Enjoy this touch and mouse compatible game in full 1280×720 resolution.
This cool cat includes:
- infinite levels
- Construct 2 files
- layered Photoshop and Illustrator files
- and more
Game FlapCat Steampunk has a great art style and is ready to play or customize.
Like the HTML5 3D BlackJack, the 3D Roulette HTML5 casino game has a great 3D hi-res look.
It has also been developed using:
Easily modify 3D Roulette by downloading and editing the Photoshop and Illustrator files. It can also be installed directly into WordPress using CTL Arcade WordPress plugin.
Bubble Shooter reminds me a lot of Snood and other games like it.
This simple and addictive game can be installed as-is or modified to your liking.
This HTML5 game template comes in 870×1504 resolution, is fully responsive, and can be easily modified using the Photoshop and Illustrator files.
It has been developed with HTML5, JavaScript and CreateJS, and is both ready to play and can be installed directly into WordPress using the CTL Arcade WordPress plugin.
Woblox is probably the most addictive game in this roundup of HTML5 game templates.
Add your own logo and this puzzler is ready to go.
This game will play on all platforms, but it feels best using a touch screen as you will intuitively slide the blocks into place to set the green block free.
Game includes:
- 384×600 resolution
- 45 progressive levels
- uses less than 100 Construct 2 events
- more
Easily customizable and equally addictive, Woblox is an excellent HTML5 game template.
13. treze-Edges
treze-Edges sounds easy—until you try it!
Simply touch the screen to create edges, but don’t let the ball escape.
Features include:
- includes Construct 2 and Construct 3 source files
- works with all HTML5 compatible browsers
- keyboard and touch controls
- and more
Enjoy treze-Edges or make it your own—what twist will you add?
Don’t Crash.
That’s it.
It sounds easy, but this mesmerizing HTML5 game template will keep you guessing.
Features include:
- touch support
- fully responsive
- 1280×720 resolution
- includes Construct 2 files
- more
And never forget—Don’t Crash!
The Arrows 2D Platform Action Engine is ready and waiting for you to create something amazing.
This includes:
- mobile, keyboard, and gamepad support
- full Construct 2 files to build your own 2D side-scrolling action game
- the Arrows Action Engine also includes an Enemy AI with Boss AI
- and more
The Arrows 2D Platform Action Engine is good enough to stand on its own, but it’s true heart and soul is in offering you the tools to build your own game.
Become the next fruit ninja with the highly customizable Katana Fruits template.
This HTML5 game template was developed with the following code chops:
You can edit the look and feel with the included Photoshop and Illustrator files and install it directly into WordPress using the CTL Arcade WordPress plugin.
Ready, set, run!
This fast-running panda needs to be guided over obstacles to collect prizes and finish each of the over 20 levels.
This template includes the Construct 2 files and features:
- autosave
- ad support
- one touch control
- and more
Show some pixel love with Panda Love.
Want to add some jumpshots to your upcoming project? Ultimate Swish gives you the framework to do just that.
Ultimate Swish provides a short, addicting game cycle that could be expanded into its own full game, or customized to fit within your current project.
The game is based off of HTML5, JavaScript, and CreateJS, with all source code included, so its easy to see how it works and start customizing in no time!
If you have a need for speed, Formula Racing is what you want.
Fully responsive and ready for any screen size, this game has been built with Construct 2.
Features include:
- rival car AI
- easily modify existing tracks or create your own
- PNG and PSD graphic files included
- supports AdMob Advertising
- and more
Formula Racing is fully customizable and ready for you to race away with something new.
Balloon Fight is a charming and addicting retro style game built with Construct 2.
Pop the balloons of the other cats—and you win!
Features include:
- all sounds and music included
- PNG graphic files included
- supports AdMob Advertising
- unlimited levels
- and more
Balloon Fight is easy to control, but difficult to master.
Conclusion
Some of these templates are just that—templates—while others border on complete game concepts or flexible game engines. Whether you’re finding something for your website or learning how to flesh out your own idea, you can clearly see how diverse HTML5 game templates can be.
You might also find an Envato Tuts+ code tutorial on game design or game mechanics helpful, or even an HTML5 tutorial to get you started on coding your own game.
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Game Engines
Best JavaScript Game Engines and Games to Download
Kyle Sloka-Frey
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HTML5
20 Best HTML5 Game Templates of 2018 With Source Code
Eric Dye
Have you used one of these templates to build your own game? Let us know how it went, and drop us a line in the comments below!