Shanghai Roadster controls: keyboard, controller, touch

Shanghai Roadster has five driving actions: steer left, steer right, go, brake and Nitrogen. On a keyboard you use the arrow keys or W, A, S, D, and Space for Nitrogen. On a controller you steer with the left stick and use the triggers. On a touch screen, big buttons appear in the corners.

You can switch between them at any time. The game notices what you touched last and shows the right help in the pause screen.

Keyboard controls

The keyboard steers smoothly: the wheels turn in a little at a time, so a quick tap gives a small turn and a long press gives a big one. When you let go, the car stops turning and runs straight again, so a tap moves you a little to the side and no more. The pause screen says the same in short: "Steer: arrows or A and D. Go: W or up. Brake: S or down. Nitrogen: Space."

Controller controls

Use any controller your browser reads as a standard gamepad.

The triggers are soft: press the right trigger halfway for half the power. The left stick also steers by how far you push it, which makes smooth lines easier than on a keyboard. A tiny push near the middle is ignored, so a worn stick does not steer by itself.

Touch controls on a phone or tablet

On a touch screen, five driving buttons sit at the bottom of the screen, and the pause button is at the top:

Hold a button down for as long as you want the action. Your left thumb steers and your right thumb drives. When you want a boost, press and hold Nitrogen. Sliding your thumb onto it from Go does not work: lift it and press again. Hold your phone sideways for the widest view of the track.

Menus and the pause screen

• Pick a track: click or tap a button, or use the arrow keys and Enter. On a controller, use the d-pad or the left stick and press A.
• Pause: press Escape, P, Start or the II button. To carry on, choose Keep driving, or press Escape, P or Start again.
• The pause screen has these buttons: Keep driving, Start again, Tracks, Sound: on or Sound: off, and Change driver (back to the save slots).
• The pause screen tips remind you of good tricks, like Press Nitrogen just as the lamps turn green for a rocket start.

Which control does what in the air?

When the car flies, Go and Brake do nothing, because the wheels are off the track. Steering still matters: if you steer in the air without nitrogen, the car starts to roll over, and nothing stops the roll until you hold Nitrogen. So in the air, let go of the steering and hold Nitrogen when it is time to land. The stunts page explains why.

Nitrogen does not work when...

• you are holding Brake: the tip says Nitrogen waits while you brake.
• the tank is empty: the gauge says EMPTY and the tip says The tank is empty. You can still drive.
• the start lights are still on. But press it just as the lamp turns green for a rocket start. Press too soon and you see Too early! Wait for green. See rocket start.
• you are standing still and not pressing Go.

Read the nitrogen page for all three jobs of the button.

See also

• Your first race, step by step to try the controls on a real track.
• Tips for new drivers for good habits with these buttons.
• The FAQ for questions about phones, tablets and controllers.
• Play Shanghai Roadster in your browser.

• About Shanghai Roadster
• All game guides