Microsoft’s new Chromium-based Edge hides a full surfing game that opens when your PC goes offline, much like the dinosaur game in Chrome. And inside that easter egg is another one: you can surf as Ninjacat, the unofficial mascot of Windows Insiders. Here is how to play the game and unlock the secret character.
What is the Edge Surf game
Surf is a modern take on SkiFree, the classic game from Microsoft Entertainment Pack 3 for Windows 3.0, released in October 1991. Instead of skiing down a slope, you ride a surfboard past obstacles. Compared with Chrome’s dinosaur, it offers more: a time trial mode, touch and gamepad controls, accessibility options, high scores and remastered graphics.
How to open the Edge Surf game
You don’t have to unplug your network to play:
- Open the new Microsoft Edge. In early 2020 the game was available in the Dev and Canary builds.
- Type edge://surf in the address bar and press Enter.
- The game also starts on its own when Edge has no internet connection.
How to unlock Ninjacat in the Edge Surf game
The unlock code is the famous Konami Code. Enter it as soon as the game opens, on the screen where you choose your surfer:
Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A
Use the arrow keys for the directions and the B and A letter keys for the last two presses. If it works, your surfer is swapped for Ninjacat. If nothing happens, reload edge://surf and type the sequence again before you start a run.
Tips for playing
- Use the left and right arrow keys to pick a surfer and the Spacebar to start.
- Steer with the arrow keys and avoid obstacles in the water.
- Try the time trial mode if the endless run gets old.
The Konami Code shows up in other browsers too. Opera, for example, used it to unlock power user settings.
Today
Surf went to everyone when the new Edge was bundled with the game in May 2020, and edge://surf still opens it. In October 2023 Microsoft even began suggesting the game during Windows 11 installs and updates, as something to play while you wait. Microsoft also hosts a Surf Lite Edition on its website that runs in any browser, with a link to play the full game in Edge. To get the latest version of the game, update Edge to the latest version.
