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Slither.io is a simple yet addictive multiplayer online game in the popular .io genre, where you control a colorful snake-like avatar in a massive virtual arena. Created by developer Steven Howse and released on March 25, 2016, the game is available on browser, iOS, and Android.
The goal? Eat glowing orbs to grow as long as possible, without crashing into other snakes. Inspired by classic Snake and the viral hit Agar.io, slither.io gained massive popularity after being played by big names like PewDiePie.
Whether you’re a casual gamer on a long car ride or a kid as young as 6, it’s easy to play this game and fall in love.
Explore Slither.io on iOS App Store.
In slither.io, you control a snake in a large, open arena filled with glowing pellets and other players. The main objective is simple: eat pellets, grow in size, and become the longest snake on the server.
You’ll find three types of pellets, small ones that spawn naturally, larger ones left behind when a snake dies, and rare chase pellets that flee when you get close. These give a bigger mass boost but require skill to catch.
Your snake is always moving, so positioning matters. Avoid collisions, if your head hits another snake, you lose. Touch the border? That’s instant death. Every move counts.
When you play Slither.io, everything is fast, bright, and just a little bit chaotic, in a fun way. You control a glowing snake (or "worm") and glide across a huge map, hunting for shining pellets scattered everywhere.
Some are normal pellets, while others are larger, left behind when another snake explodes. These are the real prizes, if you're quick enough to eat their remains before others get to them.
At the top-right corner, you'll spot the leaderboard, showing the top 10 players with the most mass on that server. It's a constant reminder of how far you have to go. Below, the mini-map helps you stay aware of your position and avoid dangerous clusters of snakes.
You can customize your skin using the “Build a Slither” tool. There are 16 default colors, plus options like national flags and YouTuber-inspired skins, yes, even PewDiePie. I remember unlocking my first custom skin after hours of play and feeling weirdly proud, like it was my badge of survival.
Then there’s boosting. Hit a button, spacebar, click, or double-tap, and your snake surges forward. But that speed comes at a cost: mass lost trails behind you as tiny pellets. Smart players will circle back to consume the pellets they just dropped. Others might be waiting to chase and ambush you when you're vulnerable.
I’ve played for over 50 hours, and there’s always something new. A recent update added better graphics and smoother controls. The update works fine, though my one tiny complaint is the occasional lag spike in busy zones. Still, when you trap two snakes in one loop? Totally worth it.
If you're just starting out, one solid strategy is to stay near the edges of the map. It's quieter there. Fewer snakes, fewer surprises. You’ll have room to move, master the mouse, and practice turning without getting overwhelmed. Boost only in emergencies, like when you’re trapped or need to escape. Don’t waste it trying to chase. That usually ends in defeat.
As you get better, you’ll learn how to coil around smaller snakes, forcing them to crash. Another sneaky move? Swerve in front of an opponent just as they’re speeding up. If timed right, their snake loses everything, and you get to consume a greater amount of mass from their remains.
Veteran players like to lure snakes toward the map edge, then tighten space and trap them. You can also circle multiple targets near the center, though it’s risky. That area is a hotspot for ambushes and power plays.
Be careful when you play with bots, they may look easy to defeat, but they don’t use AI and can behave erratically. That’s actually a disadvantage if you expect human behavior. One expert review on IGN noted, “Outmaneuvering others is where Slither.io shines, every move is a gamble, every boost a risk.”
Playing this since 2016, I still find new ways to surprise others. Especially when I turn their boost trails into traps.
In Slither.io, there’s no traditional leveling. Your progression is based entirely on how long you survive and your score, which grows as you eat more pellets. The main goal is simple: grow bigger, climb the leaderboard, and dominate other snakes, no matter how big they are.
The game starts easy, but the challenge kicks in as more snakes fill the map. One mistake, and you die, losing all your progress. Still, it’s hard to stop playing. The dynamic matches mean every session is unique, and the short game loop makes it easy to jump back in.
For guides, the Slither.io Wiki is a great resource.
Use your mouse or touch to steer. To boost, hold space, click, or double-tap. Boost only when needed, constant use wastes mass.
Follow big snakes and grab pellets when they die. That’s high risk, but high reward. You can also grow safely at the map’s edges.
Your snake turns into pellets. No restart delay, just jump into a new match.
No, Slither.io is an online multiplayer game. Offline play isn't available.
Close background apps, lower brightness, and switch to Wi-Fi.
Tap “Change Skin” on the menu. To team with friends, use the same server and meet in a quiet area, though there's no official team mode.
Slither.io is a simple yet deep game that continues to attract players of all kinds. It's suitable for short sessions or longer runs if you're aiming for the leaderboard. Whether you're new or experienced, mastering the game takes practice, patience, and a bit of strategy. That's the real fun.
Lowtech Studios LLC is a small independent game developer best known for bringing the mobile version of Slither.io to Android users on March 27, 2016.
While Slither.io was originally created by Steven Howse, Lowtech Studios helped expand its reach by making it more accessible to mobile gamers. Their approach focuses on creating simple, fast-paced games that are easy to play but hard to master.
Another title from their catalog is Flappy 2048 Extreme, a challenging mix of Flappy Bird and 2048, where players must fly into the matching tile. It’s chaotic, creative, and exactly what you'd expect from a studio that values unique gameplay twists.
Visit Lowtech Studios LLC on iOS App Store.